Massachusetts DOER is working with industry and elected stakeholders to amend the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program (SMART).

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) incentive program, was originally designed to facilitate solar projects by ensuring financing. However, it has become so popular that it is reaching its limits much quicker than anticipated. In response the Department of Energy Resources is working with the industry to add 800 MW to the existing 1,600 MW limits.

Beginning with the official launch in November 2018, the SMART Program has steadily received applications, now exceeding 10,000 projects by August of 2019. This surprising demand allocates 1,000 MW of the original 1,600 MW limit. Waiting lists have formed for larger projects in most utility territories.

To say state programs for solar power have been successful may be an understatement.

The department expects to draft and file an emergency regulation by November, 2019. The stated goals include the following:

• Adding 800 MW to the existing 1,600 MW limits.
• Following the original schedule, this will translate to 4 additional blocks of 200 MW each.
• Studying land use impact in more detail. The department may seek to prioritize rooftop and canopy mounted forms of distributed solar energy.
• Improving grid resilience through better use of solar energy plus energy storage.

Stakeholder and interested party reviews began in early September, as a planned step in the process of informing the industry and seeking input on goals and specific details. In general, the department has reviewed past application data for residential solar projects (less than approximately 25 kW) and commercial solar projects . According to DOER analysis, the initial planned expansion will support the current application rate for an additional 5 to 7 years.

Pushback for a Better Solar Power Future

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry. Along with some specific concerns around the details for large scale and commercial solar support, the SEIA Calls for the Expansion of the Massachusetts Solar Program.

Two solar energy industry organizations have studied the DOER analysis and preliminary proposals. Both organizations have issued their own analyses and statements requesting a more aggressive SMART program expansion to drive better short and long term results.

Vote Solar is an industry advocate aimed at public education and support for renewable energy and solar policies on the local and national level. Recently the group has issued their own report while stating the Massachusetts Solar Policy Falls Short of Climate Mandate. Vote Solar’s recommendations include a significant expansion of 3,200 MW of solar energy capacity with the impact of a much larger economic boost and thousands of additional, high paying solar industry jobs.

Your Solar Future Begins Now

For Massachusetts homeowners SunRa Solar advises that with historically low costs and with the SMART incentives at their potential peak, now is the best time to go solar. Stay tuned as we follow state policy and update you as progress is made. But remember that our custom and Free Evaluation is available today for you to see your personal solar savings potential.