Momentum Builds for Lifting Net Metering Cap and Continuing to Deliver Solar Savings, Jobs, Health Benefits to the Commonwealth
August 7, 2015 – Boston: Vote Solar applauds Governor Charlie Baker for prioritizing solar with his introduction of a bill, An Act Relative to a Long-Term, Sustainable Solar Industry, that would lift the caps on net metering, a critical consumer solar policy. The Governor’s bill introduction follows the July 23rd Senate passage of SB 1979, a bill that would effectively raise the net metering caps and provide a stable foundation for solar’s long-term growth. Vote Solar now urges the House of Representatives to build on this momentum and pass net metering legislation that keeps solar working for the Commonwealth.
Net metering makes sure that solar customers receive fair compensation for the clean, reliable electricity they deliver to the utility grid. Restrictive caps on the Massachusetts program have stalled solar development in nearly half of the state. Projects that would deliver families, small businesses, schools and other entities in 171 cities and towns across the state real economic savings are unable to move forward until the net metering caps are raised. Local jobs, taxpayer savings, reduced electric bills and improved public health are being lost every day.
“With Massachusetts continuing to face a solar crisis that has stalled hundreds of planned projects and put thousands of jobs at risk, we are grateful to Governor Baker for his leadership in making this issue a priority. The responsibility is now squarely on the House to pass a strong bill that ensures fair credit to solar customers and provides market certainty for the state’s growing solar industry,” Said Sean Garren, Vote Solar Northeast Regional Manager. “We urge Speaker DeLeo and Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee Chairman Golden to act as quickly as possible to put solar back to work for the Commonwealth.”
The Governor’s bill includes a number of important policy planks needed to build a stable foundation for solar growth. It addresses the immediate crisis of the restrictive net metering caps and provides market stability until we hit the Governor’s goal of 1,600 megawatts (MW) of installed solar. It also puts a process in place for establishing a long-term solar policy for continued growth beyond the 1,600 MW goal. However, there are important improvements that need to be made to the bill, foremost among them is the low crediting rate that it proposes for solar customers. Private investment in local solar power reduces the need for expensive, polluting power infrastructure. As written, the Governor’s bill sets a ‘market-based net metering credit’ rate for systems installed after 1,600 MW that does not adequately compensate consumers for their valuable solar investment and will discourage continued solar growth.
Earlier this year, the stakeholder-led Net Metering and Solar Task Force (“NMSTF”) ordered by the Legislature found that there are significant net benefits from the state’s net metering program ranging from slightly under $8 billion to slightly over $9 billion in a 2,500 MW scenario. The same Task Force report concluded that a scenario with no net metering caps would be the most cost-effective way to develop solar in the state. These savings are particularly critical given that Massachusetts has some of the highest electricity costs in the nation.
“Vote Solar looks forward to working with state leaders to advance a strong policy that continues to unleash solar’s economic, environmental and public health benefits in our communities,” added Garren.
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is a grassroots non-profit organization working to combat climate change and foster economic development by bringing solar energy into the mainstream nationwide. www.votesolar.org
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Media Contact: Rosalind Jackson, rosalind@votesolar.org – 415-817-5061