State Overview

Massachusetts

National Solar Capacity Ranking: 11th

Data Current Through: Q3 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

  • Solar Installed (MW):

    5,399

  • National Ranking:

    11th (21st in 2023)

  • Enough Solar Installed to Power:

    953,089 homes

  • Percentage of State's Electricity from Solar:

    25.37%

  • Solar Jobs:

    11,674

  • Solar Companies in State:

    509 (87 Manufacturers, 194 Installers/Developers, 228 Others)

  • Total Solar Investment in State:

    $12.1 billion

  • Prices have fallen:

    37% over the last 10 years

  • Growth Projection and Ranking:

    2154 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 29th)

  • Number of Installations:

    189,638

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Massachusetts State Solar Policy Resources

Massachusetts Energy Storage Policy and Market Overview

Massachusetts paved the path for energy storage in the Northeast when it first considered the opportunistic storage market in the 2016, State of Charge Report. The report evaluated storage technologies, conspired initial procurement proposals, undertook benefit-cost analysis, and inspired the state Energy Storage Initiative. Robust policy and regulatory guidance, coupled with active participation by municipal and utility actors, is yielding a vibrant storage market.

The first major policy action supporting energy storage procurement was the Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) program. This public-private partnership funded eight BESS projects to navigate ownership models and deployment risks. In 2018, storage goals were reinforced with the establishment of a procurement target set at 1,000 MWh by 2025 (An Act to Advance Clean Energy). A robust state Energy Storage Initiative prioritizing community engagement and equity, and new legislation (S.2967) improving permitting, updating procurement targets, and establishing storage incentives will accelerate the state’s clean energy goals.

In February 2024, Massachusetts reported a capacity of 569 MWh of energy storage. Critical incentive programs like ConnectedSolutions, Clean Peak Standard, and SMART are ensuring storage deployment is cost-effective for residential and C&I customers. R&D funding and net metering are increasing community desire and indicating an untapped potential for energy storage deployment in Massachusetts.

 

Massachusetts Energy Storage Policy Resources