Solar Energy Advocates Form New Coalition in Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA – New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC), Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Vote Solar today announced it has formed a new coalition to work with the Massachusetts Legislature, the new administration and other stakeholders to ensure the Commonwealth’s continued success in advancing solar energy.

Mass Solar Coalition is an alliance of solar and clean energy industry organizations, businesses and solar and environmental advocates committed to working with stakeholders to ensure the Commonwealth’s continued solar success. NECEC, SEBANE, SEIA and Vote Solar serve as co-coordinators of the Mass Solar Coalition, which aims to advance fair, long-term, sustainable, and cost effective solar programs and policies that support strong solar deployment and that deliver the many benefits of solar to all Massachusetts consumers. 

Mass Solar Coalition stands ready to work with members of the recently formed Net Metering and Solar Task Force to arrive at a set of recommendations for the Commonwealth that will ensure:

• A vibrant solar market that benefits all citizens, businesses and industries
• The continued development of a robust, growing solar industry and market
• Achievement of the Commonwealth’s economic, energy, and environmental policy objectives.

Mass Solar Coalition supports the advancement of policies and programs that support the continued growth of renewable energy throughout the Commonwealth, offer fair and equitable access to the benefits of solar for all Massachusetts electricity customers and recognize the grid, economic and environmental value that solar and distributed energy resources bring to all electricity customers in Massachusetts.

“Solar energy is already paying big dividends for Massachusetts with hundreds of solar companies located across the state, employing more than 12,000 people,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO.  “Today, Massachusetts has more than 580 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity, ranking it 5th in the nation.  But we’re just scratching the surface of the state’s enormous potential.  We look forward to working with Governor-elect Baker, the legislature and other stakeholders on ways to create new jobs, enhance the state’s economy and protect the environment through increased solar development.”

“Solar development has seen tremendous growth in Massachusetts in recent years due in large part to nation-leading policies such as the SREC program and net metering, which have been instrumental in homegrown growth and to attracting new developers and investors that have brought projects, jobs and customer savings to the state,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “We look forward to working with the Net Metering and Solar Task Force and stakeholders from a variety of communities to ensure that growth continues.”

“The coalition presents a unique opportunity for us; recommending options for the commonwealth to address solar energy issues in the near term. SEBANE’s diverse members understand that steps carefully taken today will help to shape the transformation of the energy industry in the long term.” Bill Stillinger, President, PV Squared and Board member, SEBANE.

“Strong state policy coupled with a hefty dose of Massachusetts innovation and entrepreneurship is successfully transforming our state’s energy landscape for the better. Local investment in solar power is improving the reliability of our utility grid, the health of our communities and the strength of our new energy economy. We look forward to working with state leaders and all solar advocates through the Mass Solar Coalition in order to keep solar shining in the Commonwealth,” said Nathan Phelps, Program Manager of DG Regulatory Policy at Vote Solar.

Mass Solar Coalition includes a growing number of organizations and companies, including: Ameresco, Bluewave Capital, Borrego Solar, Boston Community Capital,E2SOL LLC,Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., Heartwood Group, Kearsarge Energy LP, Klavens Law Group, New England Clean Energy, Nexamp, PowerOptions, PV Squared, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. SolarFlair Energy, SunEdison, and Sustainable Strategies 2050.

The coalition invites other organizations to join as well by contacting Kate Plourd.

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About SEIA:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

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