A Massachusetts community solar farm managed by Perch Energy.
On May 13, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey filed the Energy Affordability, Independence & Innovation Act in a stated effort to cut costs for residents and businesses.
The bill addresses the solar industry in a few ways. First, it would allow the state’s Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER) to enter into contracts for new clean energy procurement instead of requiring them to facilitate contracts through a utility. The legislation would also require Massachusetts utilities to update their interconnection processes to reduce the time and cost for customers to connect their solar projects to the grid.
On the negative side, the bill also proposes cuts to net-metering compensation for non-residential solar projects, including community solar. The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) expressed displeasure with that provision of the bill and asked the governor to change course.
“Some of the first community solar projects in the state, along with many projects that serve municipalities and local governments, utilize net metering. We are concerned that the proposals included in the Governor’s bill will halt the progress these and other solar programs, such as the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program, have helped create,” said Kate Daniel, Northeast Regional Director for CCSA, in a press statement. “By changing compensation rates of solar projects, Governor Healey is taking a step backward in bringing clean and affordable energy to Massachusetts residents.”
