Stalled Solar Projects Costing MA Big Bucks: How Many in Westford?

WESTFORD, MA - More than 500 solar projects valued at $617 million have stopped construction in the Commonwealth, according to a recent analysis conducted by Vote Solar and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Inaction from Massachusetts legislature in raising net metering caps and reforming the Commonwealth’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program has put a major damper on these projects. As a consequence, cities and towns are paying $3.2 million in wasted annual tax revenue, according to the report.

“Solar has become an integral part of the Massachusetts economy and job market,” Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for SEIA said in a news release. “The state is leaving jobs and money on the table and ceding its place in the booming solar energy market to other states.”

Net metering allows participating companies and customers to generate their own electricity through methods such as solar panels and gain credit for later use, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

A special meter, called a “net meter,” spins backwards when the customer generates excess electricity (which adds to the electric grid) and spins forwards when the customer uses electricity from the company. This can reduce a user's electricity bills by reducing the amount of power they buy from the company.

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“Net metering ensures that energy consumers receive full credit on their utility bills for valuable solar electricity they deliver to the grid for use nearby. In place in 44 states, this simple and fair crediting program is one of the most important state policies for empowering consumer solar adoption. Massachusetts legislators have been weighing raising the state’s net metering caps since September,” SEIA wrote in the analysis.

Metering caps were reached in Massachusetts National Grid service territory about a year ago and caps have since been hit in areas covered by Unitil and Eversource Energy. These caps have stunted the growth of solar energy in more than half of the state, according to the analysis.

According to the data, Worcester County has the most stalled projects with 211 on hold valued at $252,402,662. Middlesex County has a grand total of 65 stalled projects valued at $46,411,059.

There are currently two solar projects on hold in Westford valued at $71,654.

“Massachusetts has been burdened with some of the highest electricity rates in the country, and affordable solar offers families, schools and public agencies a way to manage their bills and invest in our local economy at the same time,” Sean Garren, northeast regional manager for Vote Solar said in a news release. “Now the sun is setting on that tremendous solar opportunity. We need quick action from state lawmakers to raise caps on the net metering program and ensure consumers receive full credit for their valuable solar investment.”

In early March, 100 state lawmakers and 32 local mayors and town managers asked members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to raise net metering caps. Solar supporters are still pushing state leaders to take action, according to the report.

See a graphic on where the stalled projects are located  at MassLive>>>

Photo via Wikimedia Commons