SEIA Applauds Solar Commitment by Massachusetts Leaders

BOSTON, MA – In a major address at PV America, which annually brings together solar manufacturers, installers and service providers to discuss new technologies, innovations, research and policy that is driving the $13.5 billion a year U.S. photovoltaic (PV) industry, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew A. Beaton drew cheers when he announced that Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration are supportive of efforts to expand the use of solar across the Commonwealth. Solar leaders from around the state, as well as the nation, were quick to applaud the speech, which was Sec. Beaton’s first major policy address.

“Massachusetts stands poised to more than double its installed solar capacity in the next five years, thanks to effective public policies and strong leadership,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “We applaud Gov. Baker and Sec. Beaton for their commitment to a clean energy future, and for helping to make solar one of the fastest-growing industries in the state. When it comes to creating new, clean energy jobs, Massachusetts has been a model to follow. The state has added 3,000 new jobs in the past year – bringing the total number of solar workers statewide to nearly 10,000 – and we expect this growth to continue. We look forward to working with Gov. Baker and Sec. Beaton on ways to develop a long-term framework for solar, which will help to keep the state’s tremendous momentum moving forward.”

The 751 megawatts (MW) of solar energy currently installed in Massachusetts ranks the state 6th in the country in installed solar capacity and is enough to power 122,000 homes across the Commonwealth. What’s more, average installed residential and commercial PV system prices have fallen by 10 percent in the last year. In 2014, $791 million was invested in Massachusetts to install solar for home, business and utility use. Today, there are 368 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Massachusetts.

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About SEIA:

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, 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.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, kjohnson@seia.org (202) 556-2885

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