SEIA, lawmaker press Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to act on stalled solar incentives program

Despite the expansion of a Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) incentivization program more than 18 months ago, critics say the Department of Public Utilities has failed to act, and now, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has lent itself to calls for immediate implementation.

SMART, at its core, was meant to provide incentives for solar expansion and bring the program’s total allowance to 3,200 MW. Gov. Charles Baker Jr. rolled out the program as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts last year. However, since then, both the SEIA and State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) claim that the Department of Public Utilities has gone silent on numerous non-controversial issues and slow-walked the program, leaving more than 100 MW worth of solar projects across the Commonwealth up in the air.

This, they advised, wastes more than just time.

“Massachusetts policymakers have already decided to expand the program and provided the regulations to do so,” David Gahl, senior director of policy East for SEIA, said. “More than 100 megawatts of solar capacity have yet to be added to the grid due to the inaction and feet-dragging of the Department of Public Utilities. Delays on the implementation of the SMART program inhibit progress toward Massachusetts’ 2030 carbon emissions reduction goals.”

SEIA called for a rapid increase of solar installations for Massachusetts to counteract these delays. Otherwise, it warned, the 1.8 GW of solar predicted to be added to Massachusetts over the next five years could be jeopardized, along with larger climate goals.

“The DPU wisely divided the SMART case into basic implementation matters to be addressed on a fast track, and other matters that would involve more stakeholder debate and evidence,” Roy said. “But even the fast track has slowed down. Without a ruling from the DPU on the non-controversial issues and opening the SMART program blocks, solar companies are unable to finalize deals or move ahead with their solar projects.”