Baker must continue to shine the state's spotlight on solar
Ben Hellerstein
Two car dealerships in Westborough — Dan's Jeep and Westborough Mitsubishi — installed 441 rooftop solar panels, with anticipated savings of more than $500,000 in electricity costs over 25 years.
Staples Inc., the ninth-largest user of solar power among non-utility businesses in the United States, installed a 685-kilowatt solar project at its Framingham headquarters.
And New England Clean Energy, a solar installer in Hudson, recently hired eight new staff and expanded its service area into 27 towns in New Hampshire.
There's no question solar energy is good for Massachusetts' environment and economy. Since 2006, solar energy has expanded more than 150-fold here, thanks to supportive state policies.
As Governor-elect Charlie Baker prepares to take office, what will the future hold for solar energy in Massachusetts?
There are a lot of good reasons for solar support from the Baker administration. Solar companies employed 6,400 people in Massachusetts in 2013, 42 percent higher than in 2012.
Solar energy can mean lower energy bills and a hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices. Earlier this year, New England Clean Energy surveyed its residential customers and found that families from all income brackets are choosing solar, with most solar owners reporting annual household incomes of less than $150,000.
The benefits to the environment are obvious as well: cleaner air and water, and fewer carbon emissions to fuel global warming.
Last month, Environment Massachusetts released a new report that showed the state can get 20 percent of its electricity from the sun by 2025, which would cut as much carbon pollution as 1.2 million cars emit each year.
But Massachusetts won't reach that goal without a conscious effort on the part of our state leaders.
We've seen that in states where the government supports solar energy, the industry thrives. And in places where the state has made it difficult to go solar, the industry has struggled to gain a foothold. That's why cold northeastern states such as Massachusetts and New Jersey are far ahead of Texas and Florida when it comes to solar.
To keep solar growing in Massachusetts, the governor-elect should do two things.
First, he should commit the state to reach that 20-percent solar goal by 2025. That will encourage the continued growth of the solar industry, and keep policymakers focused on programs and legislation that will help achieve the goal.
Second, Baker should work with the Legislature to expand key solar programs. In particular, we need to expand net metering to allow more businesses and local governments to go solar.
By articulating a bold vision on solar energy, Baker can position himself as a national leader on clean energy and climate change, while helping to grow the state's economy.
Ben Hellerstein is a campaign organizer with Environment Massachusetts, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Mark Durrenberger is president of New England Clean Energy, of Hudson.
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