Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/645168
www.wbjournal.com February 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 7 C entral Massachusetts solar install- ers and equipment providers said continued loss of state subsidies and the slow reaction of the Massachusetts legislature will soon lead to a spike in renewable energy prices and job losses in the solar industry, even as renewable employment and development have taken off statewide. The latest concern is over one partic- ular state incentive, called solar renew- able energy certificates, which are sold by solar panel owners to utility compa- nies, who then use them to meet their state obligation for clean energy genera- tion. The savings are twofold for panel owners – they are able to save on their electric bills as well as sell their SRECs for profit. The limit for commercial projects is in sight, but residential solar owners can still take advantage of the program. Solar installers said this, plus the fact that the cap on a billing program for solar was hit in National Grid's territory last April, could lead to a loss in jobs for the industry and declines in solar devel- opment statewide. "People who are professionals in the solar space only will often lose their jobs, there's just no way around it," said Sascha Deri, president and CEO of Boxboro solar equipment provider AltE. "So much is tied up in the incentives." Solar economic outlook Job growth in Massachusetts' solar industry was strong last year, according to data from the Solar Foundation. The study ranked Massachusetts second in the country for number of solar jobs per NG-CEE-394 // Worcester Business Journal // SatisfactionScores // Half Page // Trim Area: 9" x 6" Bleed: none // 4C // 300 dpi A good patient experience leads to better satisfaction scores. Energy upgrades can enhance a patient's visit with more comfortable temperatures and quieter rooms. Start by letting our specialists identify the right solutions for your facility. Find energy saving solutions at ngrid.com/save National Grid is a proud sponsor of Mass Save. Solar industry fears price spikes, job losses BY LAURA FINALDI Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer >> Continued on Page 9 This six-megawatt solar array in Palmer is the largest in the state bulit on a brownfield. Borrego Solar developed it under the SREC program, which is nearing its limit. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y