March 2016

What does good solar policy look like?

March 31, 2016

Net metering caps have been hit in National Grid, Unitil and NStar territories.  SRECs have run out for all but the smallest solar projects and are about to run out completely.

Low income advocates ask legislature to preserve retail net metering

March 30, 2016

Low income advocates sent a letter to the conference committee negotiating solar legislation earlier this week asking that retail net metering be maintained for projects serving low income communities.

NSTAR Solar Projects now on hold

March 30, 2016

As of today, solar projects are on hold in NSTAR's territory. 

Almost exactly one year after solar projects went on hold in National Grid territory - MassACA's net metering allocation report indicates that there are now 2 MW of solar projects on hold in the Eversource / NSTAR territory. 
That means solar projects are now on hold in Boston, Cambridge, most of the surrounding Metro Boston area and on Cape Cod. 

Rooftop solar could generate 47% of Massachusetts' electricity

March 29, 2016

According to a report released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), rooftop solar could meet almost half of Massachusetts' electricity demand.  For the country as a whole, NREL estimates a suitable rooftop potential for solar of 1,118GW.

Protect State's Solar Credits

March 24, 2016

Beacon Hill lawmakers should rebuff efforts to lower net metering credit rates and instead continue to provide incentives for the state’s growing solar industry.

Net metering is a mechanism that allows solar panel hosts to sell unused electric power back to the energy grid for a credit on their utility bills.

A House proposal would lower the net metering credit rate paid by power companies to solar users by up to 75 percent, from current retail prices to a wholesale rate. A Senate bill is less harsh, but could negatively impact community share and low-income solar projects.