Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal • Janauary 18, 2016 www.wbjournal.com Net metering is one of three main subsidies businesses and residents receive to install solar panels and use solar energy. It deals with how much they get paid to sell excess power from their systems back onto the grid. Since the various subsidies have made solar installations so popular in Massachusetts, the cap limiting how many solar system owners can receive the net-metering rate was hit in early 2015 in National Grid's territory, and Massachusetts legislators have been weighing raising that cap since September. The issue pits utilities like National Grid and Eversource Energy – who must reimburse solar system owners at the higher retail rate vs. the lower wholesale rate for their excess power – against those in the solar industry – particularly installers, manufacturers, consumers and environmental advocates – who believe solar's success is dependent on continued government programs. Even though National Grid is showing statistics that solar installations continue to grow without the net-metering subsi- dy, installers like Hopkinton-based Solect say more projects would be underway if the cap were raised. Jim Dumas, chief operating officer at Solect, said community solar projects, which provide solar power to large groups of people who can't do solar on their own, are heavily dependent on net metering. Plus, supporting solar installations in any way possible leads to more jobs and cleaner energy for everyone, he said. "One of the arguments is not every- body can take advantage of solar, so why are we subsidizing only people that can? Well, anybody can take advantage of solar because of community solar pro- grams," Dumas said. "When net meter- ing caps got filled in National Grid's area, by the way, a new project would get stalled, and that absolutely hurts." Solar growth The solar industry in Massachusetts has grown exponentially over the past 385 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545 www.ProvoFinancial.com 508.842.0539 Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Provo Wealth Management Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Provo Financial Services, Inc. and Provo Wealth Management Group are separate entities from LPL Financial. Awards W o r ce s t e r B us i n e s s J o u r n a l 2015 B E S T O F B U S I N E S S W o r ce s t e r B us i n e s s J o u r n a l Thank You for V o ti ng Pro vo Fi nanci al Services, Inc. 2016 Best of Business in Financ i a l Pl ann i ng/Invest ment Services Chris Provo RFC ® , CRPC ® Michelle Howland Operations Manager Pedro Silva CDFA, CRPC ® Denise Tatsis Client Services Assoc. Gerry Dufault CFP ® Kyle Bateman Wealth Management Assistant Pamela Provo Executive Vice President of Business Development Provo Financial Services, Inc. voted Best of Business in Financial Planning/ Investment Services in central Massachusetts based on The Worcester Business Journal online polling. Voted BEST OF BUSINESS 3 Years in a Row! B E S T O F B U SI N E S S Awards B E S T O F B U S I N E S S 2014 W o r c e s t e r B u sin ess J o u r n a l Awards W o r ce s t e r B us i n e s s J o u r n a l 2016 B E S T O F B U S I N E S S W o r ce s t e r B us i n e s s J o u r n a l Solar without subsidy? >> Continued From Page 1 Solect COO Jim Dumas (right) with business partner Craig Huntley, says lower costs to produce solar panels help the industry compete with natural gas, whose prices hovering near record lows. P H O T O / F I L E

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