Lead Sponsor: Senator Jamie Eldridge

Summary: This bill would increase the use of solar energy in Massachusetts by raising the net-metering cap and lowering the threshold for participating in Massachusetts’s neighborhood solar program.

Why This Matters: The Green Communities Act of 2008, as well as Patrick administration initiatives and federal stimulus money, has helped spur increased investment in solar. However, if we are to ensure that Massachusetts remains a national leader in solar deployment, additional policy changes are needed.

By lowering the threshold for participating in Massachusetts’ neighborhood solar program from ten customers to two, we will encourage more people to take advantage of the program — thus increasing the use of solar energy in Massachusetts.

Further, increasing the net metering limit to be equal with the Massachusetts Solar Renewable Energy Credit program will provide continuity and certainty to the Massachusetts solar industry and help accelerate the timeline for solar large scale deployment of solar installations. 

What this Bill Would Do: This bill would:

• Increase the net metering limit so that it is equivalent to the aggregate capacity of the Massachusetts Solar Renewable Energy Credit market.
• Lower the threshold for participating in Massachusetts’ neighborhood solar program from ten customers to two.