BlueSel Commercial Solar Blog
Massachusetts Solar Energy Incentives Will Expand
State DOER working with stakeholders
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) incentive program, was originally designed to facilitate solar projects by ensuring financing. However, it has become so popular that it is reaching its limits much quicker than anticipated. In response the Department of Energy Resources is working with the industry to add 800 MW to the existing 1,600 MW limits.
Beginning with the official launch in November 2018, the SMART Program has steadily received applications, now exceeding 10,000 projects by August of 2019. This surprising demand allocates 1,000 MW of the original 1,600 MW limit. Waiting lists have formed for larger projects in most utility territories.
To say state programs for solar power have been successful may be an understatement.
The department expects to draft and file an emergency regulation by November, 2019.
The stated goals include the following:
Adding 800 MW to the existing 1,600 MW limits.
Following the original schedule, this will translate to 4 additional blocks of 200 MW each.
Studying land use impact in more detail. The department may seek to prioritize rooftop and canopy mounted forms of distributed solar energy.
Improving grid resilience through better use of solar energy plus energy storage.
Stakeholder and interested party reviews began in early September, as a planned step in the process of informing the industry and seeking input on goals and specific details. In general, the department has reviewed past application data for residential solar projects (less than approximately 25 kW) and commercial solar projects . According to DOER analysis, the initial planned expansion will support the current application rate for an additional 5 to 7 years.
Expanding the Solar Power Program
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry. Along with some specific concerns around the details for large scale and commercial solar support, the SEIA Calls for the Expansion of the Massachusetts Solar Program.
Two solar energy industry organizations have studied the DOER analysis and preliminary proposals. Both organizations have issued their own analyses and statements requesting a more aggressive SMART program expansion to drive better short and long term results.
Vote Solar is an industry advocate aimed at public education and support for renewable energy and solar policies on the local and national level. Recently the group has issued their own report while stating the Massachusetts Solar Policy Falls Short of Climate Mandate. Vote Solar’s recommendations include a significant expansion of 3,200 MW of solar energy capacity with the impact of a much larger economic boost and thousands of additional, high paying solar industry jobs.
Solar Energy Costs and Savings are at a Peak
We at BlueSel Commercial Solar are excited by the DOER effort to expand the program to meet future renewable energy goals. Yet today, solar panel costs are at historical lows and current Massachusetts incentives have been set making the savings and long term value for businesses and organization better than they may be in the future.
The SMART program is a leader in the nation. The expansion plans will continue to offer great incentives, but less than they are today. That’s why we encourage leaders to take advantage of our free evaluation. Give us the opportunity to show you in numbers, not just words!
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