Andover on Dec. 2 was selected to participate in the Solarize Massachusetts program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the state Department of Energy Resources. In all, 15 communities were chosen to participate in the second round of the 2013 program. The initiative, a grass-roots clean energy marketing, education, and group-buying program, strives to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity and further reduce the overall cost of solar power. The program offers residents and businesses in participating communities discounted pricing for solar power. The more people in a municipality who participate, the greater the savings for everyone in that city or town. Participants in this round were: Adams, Amherst, Andover, Bedford, Chesterfield, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lexington, Needham, Salem, Swampscott, Watertown, Wellfleet, Whately, and Williamsburg. Outreach efforts in Andover are being led by the town's designated solar coach, Anil Navkal, who had a solar system installed on his roof two years ago and now produces more than enough energy to meet his household needs. For more information, contact him at navkal@gmail.com or 978-494-4488.