Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced its draft Guidelines relating to the revised SREC factors for the Solar Carve-out-II program. The draft Guidelines can be found on the DOER’s website, which includes the Adjusted SREC Factor Guideline Draft as well as draft versions of the 225 CMR 14 Solar Guideline – Extension Guideline and Detailed Construction Costs Form. The draft Guidelines follow the July 1, 2016 promulgation of the Emergency Regulations. As the DOER explains, “Recognizing that a long-term sustainable solution will take time to develop and that many projects are in advanced stages of development, the emergency regulation is intended to address market uncertainty and establish a smooth transition from SREC-II to the next incentive program.”
The draft Guidelines contain both clarification on construction timeline extensions and the revised SREC factor guidelines. For construction extensions, as provided in 225 CMR 14.05(9)(s)(4), a qualified Solar Carve-out II Renewable Generation Unit that is larger than 25 kW DC that has not received the authorization to interconnect or permission to operate by January 8, 2017, and cannot demonstrate that it is mechanically complete by January 8, 2017, can request a construction deadline extension to May 8, 2017. Extensions will be provided if a project can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the DOER that the project has expended at least 50% of its total construction costs by January 8, 2017. The 225 CMR Solar Guideline – Extension Guideline sets forth the procedures and requirements for Solar Carve-Out II Renewable Generation Units that seek this extension. The draft Guideline also includes an Excel Spreadsheet and Attestation Form to be completed and submitted to the DOER.
The new SREC factors, as provided for by 225 CMR 14.05(9)(l)5, shall apply to any Solar Carve-out II Renewable Generation Unit that meets the following criteria:
- Nameplate capacity less than or equal to 25 kW and authorized to interconnect after January 8, 2017; or
- Nameplate capacity greater than 25 kW that receives an extension pursuant to 225 CMR 14.05(9)(s)4.a.
The Adjusted SREC Factor Guideline provides new SREC Factors for each SREC Market Sector. Under the revised Guideline, all projects that meet the criteria outlined above shall receive an SREC Factor that is reduced by approximately 15-20% from current values. A comparison of the current SREC Factors and the revised SREC Factors is provided below:
The DOER invites comments on the draft Guidelines through August 22, 2016 at 5:00PM. Comments can be sent to DOER.SREC@state.ma.us with the subject line “SREC-II Guideline Comments”.
