BOSTON, MA – Saying it reflects consensus from major clean energy, utility and environmental stakeholders while solidifying the Commonwealth’s commitment to 1,600 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2020, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC) today announced their support for proposed legislation for a new net metering and renewable energy incentive program that will result in hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings for ratepayers.

The proposed legislation is a direct result of an intensive and inclusive process conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and will benefit Massachusetts consumers by improving access to net metering that will enable public and private distributed generation (DG) projects to continue.  As part of the process, the DOER convened a working group of renewable energy industry representatives, utility executives and other key stakeholders to work with the legislature to craft a bill that would eliminate the solar net metering cap and frame a long-term solar financing and development program for the State.  

An Act Relative to Net Metering and Solar Power (H4185)* would make changes to the net metering rules governing how distributed generation (DG) systems are compensated for the electricity they produce and make changes to the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program, which encourages Bay State residents and businesses to build DG systems.  Most importantly, developers will have an extended transition period until late 2016 to complete qualified projects under the current program.  After that time, developers will have the option of participating in the new program moving forward.

“SEIA supports the legislation as it immediately relieves a short-term bottleneck on solar projects in Massachusetts by removing the caps on net metering,” said Carrie Cullen Hitt, SEIA’s Senior Vice President of State Affairs.  “This proposed bill reflects the hard work and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders.  I commend the DOER and legislature for convening a process that sets a national precedent and will result in good public policy, improving the efficiency of the state’s solar program for all ratepayers.  This legislation will reduce risk and create more certainty for solar developers, including the many local companies at work every day here in the Commonwealth.”

“NECEC endorses this legislation, which supports the emerging and growing market for renewable energy technologies of all sizes in Massachusetts by enabling customers to continue to have access to net metering for their systems,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein.  “This bill also sets the Commonwealth on the path to achieving Governor Patrick’s goal of 1,600 MW of solar energy by 2020, which will support the continued momentum for the Commonwealth’s booming solar industry while ensuring that new solar projects are increasingly cost-effective for ratepayers.”

Solar development has seen tremendous growth in Massachusetts in recent years due in large part to favorable state policies such as net metering and the SREC program, which have been instrumental in attracting new developers and investors that have brought projects, jobs and customer savings to the state.

According to SEIA’s most recent Solar Market Insight Report, Massachusetts has more than 464 MW of solar installed, enough to power more than 75,200 homes and placing the state 6^th in the country when it comes to solar capacity.  As of the end of 2013, there were 47 solar panels in Massachusetts for every seat at Fenway Park.

The Commonwealth currently has more than 290 solar companies at work throughout the value chain, employing 8,400 people across the state.  In 2013, $789 million were invested in Massachusetts to install solar on homes and businesses, a 50 percent increase over the previous year, and that number is expected to grow again this year.  

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.

About (NECEC) New England Clean Energy Council:

NECEC is a regional non-profit organization representing clean energy companies and entrepreneurs throughout New England and the Northeast through programs and initiatives that help clean energy businesses at all stages of development to access the resources they need to grow. 

The New England Clean Energy Council is the lead voice for hundreds of clean energy companies across New England, influencing the energy policy agenda and growing the clean energy economy.  The NECEC Institute leads programs across the Northeast that support Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Cluster and Economic Development and Workforce Development.  

NECEC’s combined mission is to accelerate the region’s clean energy economy to global leadership by building an active community of stakeholders and a world-class cluster of clean energy companies.  http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.

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Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, [email protected] (202) 556-2885
Kate Plourd, NECEC Communications Director, [email protected] (617) 500-9993 

*Bill number updated 6/18/2014