Full Title: Understanding Solar Energy Issues in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Author(s): Environmental Entrepreneurs
Publisher(s): Environmental Entrepreneurs
Publication Date: February 1, 2016
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Solar energy is at a turning point in Massachusetts. While its benefits and popularity are undeniable, continued growth is in jeopardy. Solar development is completely stalled in half of Massachusetts and could grind to a halt throughout the state without supportive policies.
Solar energy is a long-term investment in a cleaner future. Every $1 dollar invested in solar energy generates up to $2.70 in benefits.
• Solar energy is a local source of clean, renewable energy that bene ts all ratepayers, while reducing greenhouse gas pollution and ghting climate change.
• In Massachusetts, the solar sector is a large and growing industry that employs nearly 15,000 workers, an increase of 33% since 2013.
• Massachusetts, a leader in solar energy, has the potential to generate more solar power than we consume.
Benefits to ratepayers include:
• Avoided energy and transmission costs
• Reduced nancial risk
• Greater grid resiliency and
• Lower energy prices
The benefits of solar energy are widespread. Businesses are turning to solar energy to provide predictable energy costs and meet their sustainability goals. Taxpayers in cities and towns are using solar energy to save money via reduced energy costs. Those who cannot put solar on their roof are participating in community shared solar programs or purchasing net metering credits from nearby solar projects.
Massachusetts provides fair compensation and reasonable incentives for solar developers.
• Solar system owners receive compensation for the energy they send back to the grid via a program called net metering. The utilities then resell this energy at the same price to neighboring customers.
• The state also offers an incentive program via Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). The cost of this program has dropped and will continue to drop as the cost of solar energy declines.
• The cost of solar energy has been overstated by the utilities, whose bottom line would be threatened by widespread adoption of solar energy.
Massachusetts solar policy should take full account of both the costs and benefits of solar energy.
• State policy should eliminate the cap on solar net metering while main- taining retail compensation to solar developers by continuing to pay fair value for net metering credits.
• Proposals in H.3854 would have a chilling e ect on the solar industry — lost jobs and stalled solar projects that would disproportionately impact community projects and low-income residents.
• State policy should avoid arbitrary minimum bills for solar users that would stall solar development and send the wrong signal to the market.