Welcome back to my blog, dedicated readers! Today, I’ll discuss some exciting changes happening in Massachusetts that are expected to support an increased deployment of solar panels for your home as well as large solar arrays for home, municipal, and commercial use. Net metering, a process that allows you to produce and export excess electricity for credit on your bills, is being expanded making it more accessible for you, the solar customer.
This expansion allows municipal and state-owned solar asset owners, including many solar companies, to take advantage of net metering. More fascinatingly, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) order now permits the transfer of net metering credits between utilities, making it easier for more solar consumers to benefit from the program.
With changes like these, Massachusetts now stands amongst states with the highest adoption rate of rooftop solar generation, having tapped 10.8% of its potential. The goal isn’t to stop here though! DPU hopes to spur the deployment of more solar facilities across the state to support a further move towards electrification and, most importantly, cut costs for residents and businesses.
Unlike other states such as California, which has significantly cut back on net metering credits, Massachusetts recognizes the system-wide cost and resilience benefits of rooftop solar. James Van Nostrand, chair of the DPU, recognizes the value of these benefits, noting that “Net metering enables customers to cut their energy costs. This is another example of the important nexus between the clean energy transition and maintaining affordability for Massachusetts residents.”
This change in policy expands the exemption threshold from 10 kW to 60 kW, allowing most residential and many small commercial account holders to now be eligible for net metering. Over the last few years, the increasing capacity of rooftop solar in this part of the country has allowed a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, even during the harsh New England winter. Think about it, for every gigawatt of rooftop solar installed, over 5,200 acres of land are saved – an indicator not only of the cost-effectiveness but also the environmental benefit of rooftop solar.
Rooftop solar indeed offers several benefits. It’s cheaper, it reduces the need for power plants and expensive transmission lines, and it also increases grid resilience to extreme weather conditions. Additionally, power generated from your rooftop can be used on-site, reducing the need for transmission from central generating stations. With cost-saving and less environmental footprint, it truly makes sense to get your energy straight from your roof.
Massachusetts isn’t stopping here either. With the recent regulatory changes, and the potential to save ratepayers $10 million, the state plans to adhere to its 2021 climate action plan pushing for even more solar deployment across the state.
And for you, my readers who are still on the fence about residential solar, remember this: on average, new-build solar costs 29% less than the next-cheapest fossil fuel alternative. So, whether you’re eyeing a large solar array for your commercial property or seeking solar panels for your home, the benefits are clear. Don’t be left in the dark! Embrace this golden opportunity to save on energy costs and make a substantial contribution to a more sustainable future.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/01/massachusetts-expands-solar-net-metering-bucking-a-national-trend/
