State Overview
Massachusetts
National Solar Capacity Ranking: 11th
Data Current Through: Q2 2024
Massachusetts State Solar Overview
The Massachusetts market is shaped by net metering and a renewable portfolio standard with a solar goal, along with an accompanying SREC market. The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program was established in 2018 and has driven significant solar deployment in the state, acting as a template for other states to follow.
SEIA Massachusetts State Policy Priorities
- SEIA led efforts to expand the SMART program, helping secure an additional 1,600 megawatts of capacity for the program and relax some of the most onerous restrictions on developing solar projects on natural and working lands.
- SEIA continued to support the Northeast Clean Energy Council’s intervention with the Department of Public Utilities in case 19-55 on improving distributed solar interconnection policies.
- SEIA also led efforts to extend project completion timelines based on the COVID crisis.
Just The Facts
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State
Massachusetts
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Solar Installed (MW):
5,308
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State Ranking, Cumulative Capacity Installed:
11th
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State Ranking, Capacity Installed in 2023:
19th
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Enough Solar Installed to Power:
921,917 homes
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Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar:
24.63%
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Solar Jobs:
11,674
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Solar Companies in State:
509 (87 Manufacturers, 194 Installers/Developers, 228 Others)
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Total Solar Investment in State:
$11.9 billion
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Prices have fallen:
43% over the last 10 years
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Growth Projection and Ranking:
2174 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 29th)
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Number of Installations:
182,763
Massachusetts State Solar Policy Resources
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Department of Public Utilities – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Massachusetts public utilities
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Department of Energy Resources – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
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DSIRE incentives database – Massachusetts – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Massachusetts and across the United States
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Massachusetts Clean Energy Center – Learn about the state agency dedicated solely to facilitating the development of the clean energy industry
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Massachusetts Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Solar Panel Cost in Massachusetts – Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
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Solar Rebates & Incentives in Massachusetts – Check out EnergySage’s list of key solar incentives in Massachusetts to see what programs you can benefit from
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State Legislature – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Massachusetts
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U.S. Energy Information Administration – Massachusetts State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
Amesbury
Amesbury Landfill
The Amesbury Landfill Solar Plus Storage project in Amesbury was developed by Kearsarge Energy and came online in 2019. This is one of the largest solar plus storage projects in the state, creating enough energy to power 440 homes.
Spencer
Solterra Monastery Community Solar Garden
Solterra Monastery Community Solar Garden in Spencer was developed by Clearway Energy Group and came online in 2016. This 20.1 MW project produces enough electricity to power 3,712 homes.
New Bedford
Parallel Products
Parallel Products, a consumer products recycling business, installed a 1.9 MW rooftop solar array on a 150,000 square foot warehouse in New Bedford. The solar facility provides power to the company’s recycling center and additional technology development buildings, located on a 130-acre campus in southern Massachusetts.
