The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is realizing the benefits of an aggressive renewable energy policy. In Solar Photovoltaics the state has evolved as a major player. Here are some important factors that speak to this from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Solar PV facts in Massachusetts 2012
- More than 201 solar induatry companies operating at 204 locations.
- In Massachusetts there are 29 manufacturing facilities throughout supply chain.
- 31 MW was installed in the state for solar power in 2011, ranking MA 12th in US.
- 22.1 MW was installed in 2012 Q2, ranking MA 8th in US.
- To date, 174 MW cumulative has been installed.
- 3664 total solar photovoltaic installations in MA.
- There is enough solar capacity online in MA to power over 16k homes.
Legislation Lawmakers passed additional legislation in 2012 eliminating the cap on net metering for projects that are 10kW or less. This creates a further incentive for small business, municipalities and individual homeowners. This years legislation also directed utilities to purchase an additional 4% of their power through long-term renewable energy contracts. Long-term contracts give renewable energy developers and Massachusetts ratepayers price-certainty, which works as a hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices. Much of this will help to ensure the state remains on track to meet it’s renewable energy goals. All moves that will lead to improvements for both the industry and consumers.
Programs like the MassCEC Solarize program assisted 800 projects for a total of 5.1 MW installed in 2012. This program works to encourage the adoption of small scale solar projects by deploying a coordinated education, marketing and outreach effort. This, combined with a tiered pricing structure providing increased savings as more people in the community go solar has become a popular program. It is hoped the program will come back for 2013. If you live and own a small business in one of these communities or a green community interested in the program contact the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
Energy Credits in 2013 As stated in a Greentech Media November 13, 2012 report “Massachusetts 2012 legacy SRECs continued to trade in the low $200s. Although traded volumes have been limited, buyers have not been actively bidding price up as there is plenty of time left in the compliance period until obligations have to be finalized in June 2013. At the end of August, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced the 2013 SREC requirement. While the existing formula derived the number of SRECs needed in 2013, the DOER also announced its intention to make an adjustment to the equation that will increase the 2013 SREC target”. 
During the Worcester Business Journal’s Massachusetts Energy Summit on November 8 discussion on the SREC program was had by members of a panel including Dwayne Breger (Mass Dept. of Energy Resources), Carrie Cullen Hitt (Solar Energy Industries Assoc.), Alicia Barton McDevitt (MassCEC) and Tim Roughan (National Grid). Essentially there is a ‘glut’ in the SREC market which needs to play itself out. While nobody is concerned long-term given the continued interest in project development the short-term solution is to place unsold credits in an account deposited for a future auction at a fixed price. No gaurantees have been made on the price as of yet.
In Conclusion Weighing these and other positive factors from 2012 shows now is a good time in Massachusetts to think solar if you’re a municipality, small business or consumer. If you are an installer, technologist or service provider positioned to win in our maturing market then you are most likely thinking good thoughts. In broader terms, residential and commercial consumers of renewable energy should be determining the right mix of renewable sources for their project. Significant for all of Mass renewables is the eligibility for net metering of technologies like anearobic digesters beginning in 2013. A more comprehensive portfolio of renewable energy options given the physical and political environment for projects sites will ensure we continue to move in a positive direction for all sources including biomass, wind, anaerobic digestion and perhaps what’s to come in the future.
Note: A more detailed look at ‘atlernative’ renewable energy sources is discussed in the SMG article: ‘The Other side of Renewable Energy’.
Scott Graves is passionate about helping business owners. Tune in to his show ’The No Boundaries Radio Hour’ with co-Host Dennis Mannone on the No Boundaries Radio Network. Meet him at the crossroads between strategy and innovation at scott@smgravesassociates.com or twitter @smgcreative.