(December 9, 2024)

Housing Nantucket is proud to announce the completion of a cutting-edge solar installation at Wiggles Way, its newest mixed-income rental housing development. This project was made possible by a $200,000 Gap Energy Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Energy Results Program (MassDEP, CERP), as part of the 2022-2023 Gap III Energy Grant cycle, which awarded $8.1 million to support energy-efficient and renewable energy projects across the state.

Wiggles Way is Housing Nantucket’s new 22-unit mixed-income housing development on Nantucket Island. As a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the island’s housing needs, Housing Nantucket designed this project to serve year-round residents earning 50% to 150% of the Area Median Income. Scheduled for full occupancy by the end of Q1 2025, the development features one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, totaling 39 bedrooms across eight buildings. The units are fully electric, and the solar installation will help stabilize tenants’ electricity costs while advancing Housing Nantucket’s goal of achieving net-zero energy usage for the site.

This innovative project features Nantucket’s first solar PV carport, a 120 kW photovoltaic (PV) system integrated into bifacial solar panels mounted on two pergola structures flanking the parking area. Officially operational as of December 3, 2024, the system is expected to generate 133 MWh of electricity annually, resulting in approximately $30,000 in savings each year. These savings will directly benefit the income-qualified residents, further supporting Housing Nantucket’s mission of providing equitable housing opportunities for Nantucket’s year-round community.

Total Project Costs: $775,000

Gap II Grant Award: $200,000

Remain Nantucket Grant: $210,000

Affordable Housing Trust loan: $100,000

Housing Nantucket (cost share): $116,000

MassSave rebates (estimate): $100,000

Annual Energy Produced (estimate): 133 MWh

Projected Annual Cost Savings: $ 30,000

Projected Annual SMART incentives: $ 17,000

Any questions about this project should be directed to Anne Kuszpa, Executive Director of Housing Nantucket via email at anne@housingnantucket.org.