A little bit of grid data goes a long solar power way
NREL has found that pre-applications for systems 500 kWAC and greater in Massachusetts were correlated with a 24% increase in interconnection service agreements approved – although complexities make proof of causation difficult.
Solar required on new commercial buildings in Massachusetts town
Watertown, Massachusetts now requires solar power with all new commercial construction and retrofits of structures greater than 10,000 sq feet – as well all structures that include ten or more residential units.
Massachusetts’ SMART program fills up fast
The new program has already been over-subscribed for 25 kW or larger projects in two of five utility service areas, and is nearly full in a third.
Massachusetts’ SMART to go live today
As of noon today Massachusetts’ SREC-II program will close, and the window to apply under the SMART program will begin, which is expected to result in a flood of applications.
New England moves to open the market for battery storage
ISO New England has filed with federal regulators for a new market design to allow storage technologies to more fully participate in the wholesale market, as its interconnection queue fills up with battery projects.
SMART solar tour complete, Massachusetts DOER readies launch
The 1.6 GW SMART program for solar power in Massachusetts completed a seven presentation tour of the state, connecting directly with local installers, and hearing the stresses.
Utilities seek greater fees on customers who go solar
The latest report from North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center finds a surge in proposed fees for distributed generation solar customers, as increasingly complicated structures are proposed to replace net metering.
Massachusetts’ SMART program is a go, but the details matter
The State of Massachusetts has officially approved its next round of solar power incentives. The program will push 1.6 GW of solar power onto the power grid.
Agrovoltaics: a solar-powered safety net for Massachusetts farmers
The long-term, steady income of solar power complements the higher revenue, but harder work of traditional farming. The Massachusetts SMART program looks to increase this trend with “agrovoltaic” incentives for solar co-located with crops.
Solar now makes up more than 10% of electricity in five states
Massachusetts has joined California, Hawaii, Nevada and Vermont in the club of states where solar represents 10% or more of in-state generation. Solar made up 2.4% of total generation in the United States during the first half of 2018, with solar and wind together making up slightly less than 10%.
