Ma solar program

In April , the program was doubled to support the installation of 3, MW of solar. These changes to the SMART regulations were put into place not only to help the solar industry recover from the COVID pandemic , but also to get Massachusetts to reach its renewable portfolio standard RPS goals while continuing the fight against climate change.

If you qualify for the SMART program, your utility will pay you a fixed rate-per-kilowatt-hour kWh of solar energy your solar panels produce for 10 years. This capacity is divided among the three investor-owned electric distribution companies in Massachusetts: Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil. From there, the total capacity that is allocated for each utility is divided into different categories, based on system characteristics. For example, low-income community solar projects will receive a different incentive rate than residential projects.

When a block is full, that means the block has reached capacity and the program will move to the next block. The new block will have a lower incentive rate than the previous block.

The following table outlines the current incentive rate, also called the Capacity Block Compensation Rate, that is being offered by each utility for solar panels systems that are less than or equal to 25 kW in size:.

If you want to know exactly how much you are getting from the SMART program alone, you have to subtract the cost of electricity from the Capacity Block Compensation Rate. For instance, installing a battery storage system with your panels can qualify you for the energy storage adder, which will give you additional savings per kWh.

Installing a system on a brownfield will also qualify you for an adder. These adders encourage those who are making the switch to solar power to consider installing certain types of systems in order to receive a larger incentive payment. The best way to understand how much a solar system owner will save with the SMART program is with an example.

Remember, the Block Compensation Rate includes the cost of electricity. Check out our free solar calculator to see an accurate estimate of what the solar payback period would be for your home.

If you consider the example above, the payback period for a 6 kW solar system in Massachusetts with net metering and the federal tax credit would be almost 9 years.

When you add the SMART program savings on top of that, the payback period cuts itself in half to just 4 years. The payback period may differ from this example. How long it will actually take to payback your system depends on:. For every megawatt-hour of solar energy produced, homeowners would receive one SREC. These SRECs could then be sold to utilities in order for them to meet their renewable portfolio standards.

The value of each adder ranges from one to six cents per kilowatt hour. The tranche has a declining block rate structure, so once Tranche 1 is filled, projects qualifying for Tranche 2 receive a lower compensation rate.

The compensation rate for a project is locked in for 10 years after interconnection. The garden will receive that rate from — Unlike previous Massachusetts solar incentives, where the customer sells their renewable energy credit to the utility, utilities automatically receive the renewable energy credit for purchasing and distributing the electricity generated by a qualified SMART facility.

The Massachusetts community solar incentives look great on paper. The structure of SMART and its capacity blocks fundamentally limits the growth of community solar over time and overall. The demand for solar is incredibly high, and the limited program was nearly overwhelmed in its first two years. The expansion is an improvement, but still institutes a cap.

Additionally, the program has favored solar developers with the most resources. As the capacity blocks fill, projects applying for SMART certification will land in later Tranches — which receive lower compensation. The developers who were able to put together projects quickly, which are most likely larger and well-resourced, get the best return. Massachusetts offers some of the best energy rebates and incentives in the country.

This guide will help consumers, businesses and municipalities find information on the energy efficiency and clean energy renewable rebates, incentives and programs available today. The Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings energyCENTS provides a single entry point to all of the energy saving opportunities available to Massachusetts residents, businesses and institutions. Mass Save is the Commonwealth's nation leading energy efficiency program provider.

Below are a list of included services for home owners of single family homes and up to 4 units in a multi-family property. For Municipal utility energy programs visit Muni-Helps ; participating municipal utilities listed here or contact utility directly.

Consumers can also find a shopping guide on Mass Save for lighting, equipment, appliances, electronics and recycling programs. Tax Incentives: DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States, includes all state and federal tax incentives for each state. If you or someone you know is having issues with your energy or utility bills, here is some information on help with paying bills, shut-off protections, consumer rights and more.

Buying groups or Co-ops can help their members save money by buying fuel for their members in bulk. May also offer senior discounts. Please note that these are listed as a consumer resource and not an endorsement of these Co-ops by DOER or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. DOER also conducts heating fuel surveys and posts energy prices.

Find the surveys here. In addition to residential programs, Mass Save also offers incentives, rebates and programs for businesses. Here is a summary of what's available:. Mass Save also has a Learning Page with equipment information, servicing and financing, recycling, technical assistance and engineering services and more.

Time Dependent Demand Response Programs: Through Mass Save, your business can earn incentives for reducing energy use during times of peak demand and helping to reduce carbon emissions and strain on the electric grid by enrolling in the ConnectedSolutions demand response program. Find the list of participating Municipal Light plants here :.

These funds will provide debt relief for gas bills to thousands of low-income gas customers and enable clean energy and energy efficiency efforts in h omes and buildings in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. Additional programs will also be available for businesses. Through PACE Massachusetts, property owners can finance energy efficiency upgrades, renewables, and gas line extensions by agreeing to a betterment assessment on their property, which repays the financing.

Read the full release here. Visit the Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition for more information on alternative transportation in the Commonwealth. Energy Switch: businesses and consumers of the non-municipal utilities can choose their electricity supplier. Visit Energy Switch to shop and get more information. Green Communities: DOER's Green Communities Division GCD provides grants, technical assistance, and local support from Regional Coordinators to help municipalities reduce energy use and costs by implementing clean energy projects in municipal buildings, facilities, and schools.

Currently of Massachusetts cities and towns are Green Communities. To learn more about how your community can become a green community visit the Becoming a Green Community Guide. Clean Cities aims to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector and support development of infrastructure necessary to make alternative fuel vehicles a viable transportation option. Cities and towns can get assistance on converting fleets and installing infrastructure to support adoption of alternative vehicles.

Check out the Electric School Bus Pilot to see what your community can do. Energy Management Services: is an alternative public procurement method used to purchase energy conservation measures, energy efficiency and water conservation measures and onsite energy generation. Solarize Massachusetts Solarize Mass seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity in participating communities through a competitive solicitation process that aggregates homeowner buying power to lower installation prices for participants.

Visit Mass CEC for more information on additional renewable energy programs for governments and non profits:. Leading by Example: works with the Massachusetts state government to set targets for facilities in regards to greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation, clean transportation and renewable energy. Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition: in addition to private business and municipalities, Mass CCC works with LBE to assist with procurement of and infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles for state entities.