Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | October 2, 2017 | wbjournal.com F O C U S E N E R G Y The state has tripled the number of solar- industry jobs in five years. Solar jobs in Mass. 0 4,000 8,000 12,000 16,000 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Massachusetts solar jobs by year: Source: The Solar Foundation The solar power The state looks to retain its title as a solar energy leader even as it shifts toward less costly government incentives BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor O vercoming its latitude and climate disadvantages compared to other states, Massachusetts has become a national leader in solar energy production, largely thanks to state incentive programs, which are due to make a major transi- tion next year. "I certainly think our state policies have made Massachusetts a leader in the solar industry," said Judith Judson, the state's secretary of energy and envi- ronmental affairs. Massachusetts ranks sixth nationally in amount of solar energy produced – up from eighth last year, leaping past Texas – enough to power 244,000 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. It is second only to California in the number of solar- related jobs at nearly 15,000, according to The Solar Foundation. That is all despite Massachusetts's northern loca- tion and sixth-smallest land area. "Massachusetts's impressive records with solar development is largely based on leadership from the legislators and the governor's office," said David Gahl, SEIA director of Northeast state affairs. One knock on renewable energy such as solar has been it's more expen- sive than traditional energies, which are often bad for the environment for the emissions they create. But that's changed. The price of creating solar electricity, including the panels, instru- ments and labor, has fallen by 55 per- cent in Massachusetts in the past five years, the SEIA said. Changing incentives A spike in the number of projects comes as the state readies for a new incentive program requiring utility companies to buy a certain amount of solar-powered energy. The new pro- gram, called Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, or SMART, is designed to offer more long-term price stability than its predecessor – lower- ing financing costs – and includes gen- erally smaller government incentives dropping in price as capacity increases. The previous program, known as SREC, or Solar Renewable Energy Credits, was due to end once the industry reached 1,600 megawatts of installed capacity statewide, and the legislature passed a bill calling for a replacement. SMART is slated to go into effect early next year. "Consumers and residents have also taken an interest in having solar installed at their facilities or at their homes," Judson said. For residential projects, the Massachusetts Personal Income Tax Credit offers a credit of up to $1,000, and Solarize Mass gives group discounts for residents in participating communi- ties. Mass Solar Loan offers low-interest loans and other incentives for income- qualified customers, and the Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit gives a credit up to 30 percent. Dennison Lubricants has installed a 383-kilowatt solar energy system on its roof at 692 Millbury St. in Worcester. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y

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