Massachusetts Adopts New Rule to Quadruple Solar by 2020
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Gov. Patrick Follows Through on Bold Solar Commitment
Boston- Massachusetts state energy officials announced today a four-fold expansion of one of the Commonwealth’s most effective solar programs.
The expanded solar standard, known as the RPS Solar Carve-Out Program or SREC-II, is designed to ramp up Massachusetts’ installed solar capacity to 1,600 megawatts (MW) by 2020. Last spring, Gov. Deval Patrick announced a dramatic expansion of the Commonwealth’s solar goal and directed state energy officials to quadruple the solar carve-out, which at the time, was only 400 MW.
“Three cheers for Governor Patrick and his energy team for making solar power a centerpiece of the Massachusetts energy plan,” said Rob Sargent, energy program director with Environment Massachusetts, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that’s worked toward the expansion of solar. “There’s strong public support for expanding solar energy, and we look forward to working together to take solar to the next level.”
Solar energy in Massachusetts has grown 140-fold since 2007, thanks to the strong backing of the Patrick administration, state legislators and local officials. All of these parties have recognized the environmental and economic benefits of solar and have put strong policies in place, including the solar carve-out, net metering and community solar or virtual net metering.
“The sky’s the limit on solar energy,” said Sargent. “Because it is pollution-free and has no fuel costs, we should be shooting for the moon in tapping the energy from the sun.”
For more information on solar in Massachusetts:
New Report: Boston Ranks 3rd Among Major Northeast Cities for Installed Solar
Advocates Urge Massachusetts Lawmakers to Expand Successful Rooftop Solar Program
Massachusetts Ranks 4th in the Nation on Solar Jobs
Massachusetts Ranks 10th in the Nation in Solar Power
Massachusetts Hits 2017 Solar Goal 4 Years Early
Strong Support in Massachusetts for Taking Solar Energy to the Next Level
