Bill Brings Utility and Solar Together

The debates and disagreements between utility companies and the solar industry have been an issue since the very conception of solar power. There are often questions of stepping on each other’s territory. However, according to an article recently completed by The Boston Globe, a new Massachusetts bill allowed officials from both industries to unite, for perhaps the first time ever.

The bill is designed to secure a safe and stable solar future for the state of Massachusetts. It will introduce several new facets to the solar industry. First, the legislation would jumpstart Governor Patrick’s goal to install 1,600 MegaWatts of solar energy in the state by 2020. Already in the state, National Grid has managed to interconnect several projects that have brought customer-owned solar energy in Massachusetts to two hundred and twenty eight megawatts.

Currently, customers who use rooftop solar energy are rewarded with retail credit for the surplus energy their efforts feedback on the grid. However, there is a current cap on how much credit can be rewarded. This new bill would remove that cap, possibly enticing more utility energy users to switch to solar power. In addition to this, the current solar incentive program would be updated, with new levels that would reflect market realities, including an adjustment that will reflect the cost of solar power installation, as it drops in the future. The article states that this new structure will encourage more private investments in solar energy, which will result in job creation and economic growth throughout Massachusetts solar market.

Finally, the bill promises to maintain fair prices on distribution systems. This would apply to all systems, used for either utility or solar power. It is this aspect of the bill that shows unity between the utility companies and the solar power plants, as both guarantee to remain fairly and relatively even with their competitors.