Incentives for MA Solar Power
All around the country, solar power is becoming more and more popular and the state of Massachusetts is no exception. In MA, solar power is taking a strong role in the push to expand the use of renewable energy in the United States. In fact, there are more than 2000 solar installations in Massachusetts, producing over 22 megawatts of energy.
One of the biggest evidences for this journey toward green power is the Green Communities Act, passed in 2007. This piece of legislation allows the people and business of Massachusetts to save money by investing in green technology, including solar power, though rebates and tax exemptions. It has been received with praise from government, businesses, and environmental groups. These rebates allow individuals and businesses to cut the costs of installation, allowing the entire state to reap the benefits of renewable energy with less pollution and cheaper power overall. Those who would otherwise be unable to afford solar can now do so under the Green Communities Act.
The primary goal of the Green Communities Act was to get MA solar up to 27 megawatts by 2010, with a starting budget of $68 million. They have since moved through several blocks of money, because of the great demand for solar in the state.
Recently, Massachusetts has decided to try for 400 megawatts of solar power generated in the state by 2020, which some may think is an impossible task. To speed up the process of generating MA solar power, the state has devised what are known as state renewable energy credits, or SRECs.
The normal solar-powered home generates around 5 kilowatts of power, which count for 5 SRECs, give or take. When the deadline rolls around, the state will count up the SRECs each utility company has and charge them $600 for each SREC they are short. It will be cheaper for utility companies to simply buy these credits from individual homeowners. These payments continue for at least 10 years, which nets each homeowner with solar at least $10,000 over those ten years, and often more than that.
Massachusetts also has net metering as a way to help promote solar energy. One of the major problems some have with solar is that the power is only available at certain times - during the day, specifically. With metering, the excess power generated by the day can be sent off to the utility, then used for the home when direct solar power isn't available, removing the need for each house to have its own battery. Just be aware that not all utility companies return this power on a 1:1 basis, so Massachusetts solar beneficiaries need to check to make sure how much power they are due.
MA solar power is definitely on the rise. With tax credits, rebates, and an strong support from many institutions, especially the state government, many are beginning to see the benefits of gaining power from the sun, getting rid of their old power sources in exchange for cheaper, cleaner renewable energy.
One of the biggest evidences for this journey toward green power is the Green Communities Act, passed in 2007. This piece of legislation allows the people and business of Massachusetts to save money by investing in green technology, including solar power, though rebates and tax exemptions. It has been received with praise from government, businesses, and environmental groups. These rebates allow individuals and businesses to cut the costs of installation, allowing the entire state to reap the benefits of renewable energy with less pollution and cheaper power overall. Those who would otherwise be unable to afford solar can now do so under the Green Communities Act.
The primary goal of the Green Communities Act was to get MA solar up to 27 megawatts by 2010, with a starting budget of $68 million. They have since moved through several blocks of money, because of the great demand for solar in the state.
Recently, Massachusetts has decided to try for 400 megawatts of solar power generated in the state by 2020, which some may think is an impossible task. To speed up the process of generating MA solar power, the state has devised what are known as state renewable energy credits, or SRECs.
The normal solar-powered home generates around 5 kilowatts of power, which count for 5 SRECs, give or take. When the deadline rolls around, the state will count up the SRECs each utility company has and charge them $600 for each SREC they are short. It will be cheaper for utility companies to simply buy these credits from individual homeowners. These payments continue for at least 10 years, which nets each homeowner with solar at least $10,000 over those ten years, and often more than that.
Massachusetts also has net metering as a way to help promote solar energy. One of the major problems some have with solar is that the power is only available at certain times - during the day, specifically. With metering, the excess power generated by the day can be sent off to the utility, then used for the home when direct solar power isn't available, removing the need for each house to have its own battery. Just be aware that not all utility companies return this power on a 1:1 basis, so Massachusetts solar beneficiaries need to check to make sure how much power they are due.
MA solar power is definitely on the rise. With tax credits, rebates, and an strong support from many institutions, especially the state government, many are beginning to see the benefits of gaining power from the sun, getting rid of their old power sources in exchange for cheaper, cleaner renewable energy.
