Massachusetts Clean Energy Advocates Welcome SMART Program Release

BOSTON, Mass. – The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has announced its Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program regulations, which will now go through a public comment period. Massachusetts boasts the second largest solar workforce in the country thanks to state initiatives like net metering and the SREC 2 program, and today’s announcement could be a first step in giving residents and businesses confidence in the Bay State’s continued commitment to progress.  This announcement followed the Governor’s recent commitment to addressing climate change and joining the United States Climate Alliance.

Solar advocates applauded the announcement of the new program, but called for improvements in order to continue solar growth and the Commonwealth’s climate and clean energy leadership. Additionally, the State Legislature has proposed bills needed to  expand the net metering program, which is currently closed for new projects in the majority of the state, so further steps are needed to continue solar growth. Below are statements from industry advocates following the announcement:

“Thanks to Massachusetts’ leadership and initiatives that make solar more accessible and affordable, Massachusetts has set itself apart as a national leader that’s building its clean, equitable energy economy,” said Sean Garren, Northeast Regional Director at Vote Solar. “The Commonwealth affirmed its commitment to its clean energy future with today’s SMART program announcement, but more work is needed to improve the program and work with the Legislature to expand net metering to ensure that we continue to harness the economic and environmental benefits of solar.”  

“We thank Governor Baker and his team for continuing to prioritize the expansion of solar energy,” said Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The SMART program will help support another 1600 megawatts of solar in the Commonwealth and maintain its position as a leading state. However, while an important step, this isn’t the finale. SMART will not be available until sometime next year. For solar’s economic engine to continue running, the Massachusetts State Legislature must raise the state’s net energy metering caps before the year is up to allow continued solar market growth until SMART is fully implemented.”

“Community solar projects are currently saving consumers money while providing clean, local power across the Commonwealth,” said Coalition for Community Solar Access Executive Director Jeff Cramer. “While we are pleased that the SMART framework was announced today, we are concerned that the proposed limits on community solar will hamper clean energy access. Every ratepayer in the Commonwealth deserves the opportunity to receive the benefits of solar energy on their electric bill through participation in community solar. We’re ready to work with the Administration to improve the regulations and look forward to celebrating the program’s launch next year.”

“While the overall framework of the SMART program is well considered, we’d be much more confident in its long term success if it included a requirement to evaluate program performance early and often with an ability to adjust the program in response to market forces, if the SMART program is not meeting its goals,” said Mark Sandeen, Co-Founder and President of MassSolar.

“We’re happy to see them appear, but the SMART program emergency regulations contain several last-minute surprises”, said Bill Stillinger, President of the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE). “Solar is the key to a shared clean energy future and its implementation needs to be accelerated, not blocked or limited. Now, the often-conflicting voices of our industry and environmental advocates, elected officials, the state’s regulatory agencies, the utility companies, and solar installers and developers need to be reconciled to secure a good long-term path for solar in Massachusetts.”

“We commend the Baker Administration for its work to develop the SMART regulations and for committing to an additional 1,600 MW of solar in the Commonwealth,” said Peter Rothstein, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC). “Solar energy delivers energy, economic, and environmental benefits in Massachusetts and has fueled a vibrant solar industry that grows by the day. We look forward to continuing to work with the Baker Administration to refine and implement the final program design to ensure that  additional cost-effective solar can be built in Massachusetts. Along with legislative action to raise the net metering caps, we are hopeful that the SMART program will provide the framework for continued solar success in Massachusetts.”

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About SEIA®:
Celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2017, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 260,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America.  SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

About Vote Solar:
Vote Solar is a non-profit organization working to foster economic development and energy independence by bringing solar energy to the mainstream nationwide. Learn more at www.votesolar.org

About CCSA:
Founded in February 2016, CCSA is a business-led trade organization that works to expand access to clean, local, affordable energy nationwide through community solar. Community solar refers to local solar facilities shared by individual community members, who receive credits on their electricity bills for their portion of the power produced. Community solar projects provide American homeowners, renters and businesses access to the benefits of solar energy generation unconstrained by the physical attributes of their home or business, like roof space, shading, or whether or not they own their residence or building. These programs can also expand access to solar energy to low-income households. For more information on CCSA, visit the website at www.communitysolaraccess.org, follow the Coalition on Twitter at @solaraccess and like the Coalition on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/communitysolaraccess.

About SEBANE:
The Solar Energy Business Association of New England comprises approximately 70 member solar-related companies based in and/or doing business in New England. Visit www.sebane.org

About NECEC:
NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward. www.necec.org

About MassSolar:
MassSolar is working to establish a renewable energy economy, ensure fair compensation for solar owners and provide equitable access to solar for everyone in the Commonwealth. Visit MassSolar online at www.SolarIsWorking.org

 

Media Contacts:

Alex Hobson, SEIA Senior Communications Manager, ahobson@seia.org (202) 556-2886

Zadie Oleksiw, Vote Solar Communications Manager, zadie@votesolar.org (202) 836-5754

Ben Finzel, CCSA Communications Director, ben@communitysolaraccess.org (202) 277-6286

Bill Stillinger, SEBANE President, bills@pvsquared.coop (413) 772-8788

Kate Johnson, NECEC Senior Director, kjohnson@necec.org (617) 500-9993

Mark Sandeen, MassSolar President, mark.sandeen@solarisworking.org (781) 863-8784