Mass. solar bill signed into law
Antonio Caban/SHNS
Energy and Environmental Secretary Matt Beaton said a new solar bill signed into law will facilitate long-term growth beyond 1,600 megawatts at a reduced cost to ratepayers.
A solar bill that expands net metering caps and sailed through the Massachusetts House and the Senate after months of closed-door deliberation was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker Monday morning.
The new legislation boosts public net metering caps from 5 percent of a utilities’ peak load to 8 percent and private net metering caps from 4 percent of peak load to 7 percent. Net metering allows solar ratepayers to sell any excess energy they generate back to the electric grid at the retail rate, rather than the wholesale rate.
Under the new legislation, the credit value for solar projects was reduced to 60 percent from 100 percent. This was done in an effort to lower the cost of net metering for non-solar ratepayers, according to a press release.
“This legislation recognizes the maturity of Massachusetts’ vibrant solar industry, and will facilitate long-term growth beyond 1,600 megawatts at a reduced cost to ratepayers,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton said in a statement. “The increase of net-metering cap space for public and private entities, and the lower cost next generation incentive program, will simultaneously allow for further solar development and investment in other renewable technologies in the Commonwealth.”
The bill also allows the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to gradually transition the solar industry to a more self-sustaining model, according to a release from the governor’s office. Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill) said that the legislation represents a balanced approach, benefiting the solar industry while also reducing costs to rate payers by 40 percent.
Staff writer Laura Finaldi contributed to the writing of this story.
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