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Solar development expected to slow in Massachusetts as net metering caps reached

March 19, 2015

Last week, the net metering cap for public projects was hit in National Grid territory (see box highlighted in red below).  This according to the latest report from the Massachusetts System of Assurance of Net Metering Eligibility.  Development activity for municipal projects is expected to come to a halt unless the legislature raises the caps once again.

Solar Day of Action

March 17, 2015

Environment Massachusetts is working to get at least 20% of Massachusetts' electricity from solar by 2025. We are asking Governor Baker and other state leaders to be champions for solar power by embracing a goal of 20% solar by 2025.

Maine study values solar at 33 cents per kWh

March 17, 2015
  • The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has released a study valuing solar power produced in the state at 33 cents per kWh — or more than twice what most residents pay for traditional power, the Portland Press Herald reports.
  • The report finds that the societal benefits, which include environmental benefits and the avoided cost of carbo

Residential Installs Exceed 1 GW

March 16, 2015

Demand for U.S. solar power increased 30 percent in 2014 as residential installations surpassed 1 gigawatt for the first time, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research.

Hawaii on track to 100% renewable by 2040

March 14, 2015

Hawaii is on track to pass legislation this year requiring the state to go 100 percent renewable by 2040.

Earlier this month, committees in the Hawaii House and Senate both unanimously recommended bills that would raise the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) from the current target of 70 percent by 2030 to the ultimate goal of 100 percent by 2040.

“Even our utility is saying we can hit 65 percent by 2030, so 100 percent is definitely doable,” Sen. Mike Gabbard (D), sponsor of the Senate bill, SB 2181, and chair of Hawaii’s Energy and Environment Committee said. 

The Case for Going Solar

March 5, 2015

With the retirement of coal plants, like the Mt. Tom and Brayton Point facilities, and the closing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, Massachusetts has the opportunity to rethink its energy future.

As public officials, utilities, and the public evaluate the best long-term investment strategies to meet Massachusetts’ future energy needs and power our economy, they should remember that we have an abundant source of clean, local energy that literally falls from the sky.

How Community Solar Is Finally Addressing Clean Energy's Equity Problem

March 4, 2015

It is no secret that the residential solar market is booming. Declining panel prices, the rise of third-party PPAs, and the spread of the Solarize model—these are familiar storylines to anyone with a passing knowledge of the solar industry. And those of us with a passion for clean energy are more than happy to share the good news.

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