In recognition of the time necessary to fully implement the new Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program and its obligation to have an orderly transition between the SREC II and SMART programs, DOER will grant good cause extension requests for projects that seek one. Under the terms of the extension, SREC II systems that qualify and can demonstrate that they are mechanically complete or operational by March 31, 2018 will receive the following SREC Factors, pursuant to the SREC Factor Guideline   (NOTE: SREC II systems with a capacity equal to or less than 25 kW DC will still receive an SREC Factor of 0.8, provided the facility receives its authorization to interconnect before the effective date of the SMART program).

Knollwood Energy of MA will take care of the extension paperwork.  We will also submit the final documentation to ensure the system meets the appropriate deadlines. 

Be sure to notify us immediately as soon as a project is moving forward.

A message of thanks from the MA DOER:

“On behalf of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of those that participated in the process to develop and promulgate the regulation for the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program.

To those that participated in DOER’s listening sessions last summer, the written comment period on DOER’s straw proposal, the nearly 40 working group meetings last fall, the final straw proposal presentation last winter, the public hearings and formal written comment period this summer, and all others that participated by providing feedback more informally throughout the entire process, we are sincerely grateful for all of your help and thoughtful input. The program design has substantially improved as a result of your engagement and feedback.

DOER expects that the program as designed will support approximately double the solar capacity currently installed in the Commonwealth at a reduced cost to ratepayers compared to the first 1,600 MW. By the end of the SMART Program, nearly 10% of the Commonwealth’s annual electricity consumption will come from in-state, distributed solar generation.

As we move forward towards implementing the program by selecting a program administrator, conducting the initial competitive procurement, and participating in the adjudicatory proceeding at the Department of Public Utilities, we hope to continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the program implementation is successful and it delivers on its potential.”

Judith Judson
Commissioner
Department of Energy Resources

News from the NH Solar Energy Association (NHSEA) regarding the Rebate program (not the Renewable Energy Credit program):

“An important announcement regarding the Residential Solar Rebate Program and the Commercial and Industrial Solar Rebate Program was recently released by the NH Public Utilities Commission. Both rebate programs are currently CLOSED, not to re-open before September 1st, 2017. Neither program is accepting any applications at this time, not even for a wait list.

The Residential Program currently has a wait list of $500,000, and the C&I Program current has a wait list of $1 million. Estimated Alternative Compliance Payments into the Renewable Energy Fund, which provides program funding, is expected to be $3.6 million, over a million dollars less than last year. PUC staff are currently in the process of allocating this funding.

Residential Rebate applications received after June 30th, 2017 will be returned, and C&I Rebate applications received after July 13th will be returned. NHSEA and NHCTC will keep you updated with program announcements and re-opening.”

From the NH Sustainable Energy Association:

“The NH PUC released their Final Order in DE15-576 on 6/23/17. It is a mix of the two filed settlement proposals, and is generally a reasonable result. Overall, it will maintain a strong industry, is good for consumers, and makes positive conclusions about the lack of cost-shifting and the benefits of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

Read NHSEA’s overview of the new net metering policy here. You can also view a recording of our recent webinar “NH’s New Net Metering Tariff” as part of the Local Energy Solutions webinar series here. NHSEA was heavily involved in this proceeding, and thanks our members and supporters for their help through the long process!

In addition, SB129 has officially become law! This law increases the Class II requirements under the RPS, increases the REC price for biomass, removes the 10kW limit on the residential solar rebate program, and dedicates 15% of the Renewable Energy Fund to projects that benefit low to moderate income ratepayers. NHSEA worked incredibly hard these past 6+ months as a leader on SB129, along with our clean energy supporters and allies across NH.”

Sharing a post from the NH Sustainable Energy Association:

“The PUC released their final Order on net metering late this past Friday.  It is a mix of the two filed settlement proposals, and is generally reasonable and will maintain a strong industry, is good for consumers, and makes positive conclusions about cost-shifting and the benefits of DER, but keep in mind we are still combing through it. Highlights from the Order and listed below. The full Order can be accessed here.

To explain and discussion the Order in greater detail, NHSEA will give a webinar as part of the Local Energy Solutions series on Monday July 3, from noon – 1:00. You can register for this free webinar here.

1. The new NEM rate begins on September 1, 2017.  May be later if utilities can’t update their billing systems in time to reflect the new NEM regime. Customers must be given 30 days notice in advance of the new rate start date.
2. Grandfathering – all existing NEM systems are still grandfathered through 2040.  NEW systems (under new rate) also grandfathered through 2040.
3. Small systems ≤100 kW are still credited monthly at 100% of retail energy and transmission charges but only 25% of distribution charge; the customer will receive monetary bill credits instead of kWh credits (allowing cash payment if customer moves or annual credit balance exceeds $100)
4. Large systems >100kW are still credited monthly at the default energy rate; bill credits now monetary instead of kWh.
5. All customer-generators must pay non-bypassable charges (system benefits, stranded cost recovery, storm recovery) based on full amount of electricity imports without netting exports.
6. Monthly Netting is maintained – all non-bypassable charges are netted on a monthly billing basis still.
7. Value of DER Study: Eversource must perform a marginal cost of service study within twelve months (of Order date) to inform the Value of DER study. Value of DER study will focus on solar and small hydro and use a 10-15 year framework for the analysis.  Staff will direct/manage the study, hire a consultant to help perform it, and will begin by convening a workgroup to develop scope of study within two months’ time of this Order.
8. Statewide Cap- No new cap was set (so effectively the cap has been removed).
9. Pilots – Four pilot programs are approved, including: Time-of-Use (Eversource and Unitil only), shared bill credits for low/moderate income customers, Real-Time-Pricing for one municipality (Lebanon), and a non-wires alternative pilot.
10. 20% Onsite Use – If a customer-generator uses at least 20% of the system generation onsite, they can receive the group net metering rates without registering as a group host and going through the GNM protocol with the PUC, etc.

Practical bill impacts for a customer-generator with solar PV: An example from ReVision Energy (2017 Eversource Electric Rates):

• Customer Charge (per month): $12.89 (unchanged)
• Energy Charge (per kWh): 11.17 cents (still 100%)
• Transmission Charge (per kWh): 2.39 cents (still 100%)
• Distribution Charge (per kWh): 4.21 cents (now 25% = 1.05 cents)
• Stranded Cost Recovery Charge (per kWh): 0.032 cents (no netting)
• System Benefits Charge (per kWh): 0.356 cents (no netting)
• Electricity Consumption Tax (per kWh): 0.055 cents (repealed in state budget)
  Current net metering credit value (systems ≤100kw): 18.16 cents (excl. repealed tax)
  New net metering credit value (≤100kW): 14.61 cents (80% current)
• Difference = 3.55 cents (20% loss)

Questions in the Order requiring response within 30 days (PUC will facilitate):

1. Should the subsequent sale of solar array or property on which it is installed entitle the new owner to continue to be net-metered under the grandfathered tariff provisions?
2. Should the subsequent expansions of/modifications to solar array be entitled to net metering under the grandfathered tariff provisions?

State Budget – I am going to keep this part short and elaborate more in future email, but suffice to say the Renewable Energy Fund was NOT raided and the EERS stayed protected and will continue to move forward with its SBC funding. More details on the budget in a future email.

SB 129 – Is still awaiting the Governors signature, but he will likely let it pass.

This has been an incredibly busy year for NHSEA, and we are glad to say that much of our hard work, and yours, is paying off and keeping NH on the right track toward more clean energy!”

Kate Epsen,  Executive Director, NH CleanTech Council-NHSEA

From the MA DOER:
Notice is hereby given that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), acting under statutory authority of Section 11 Chapter 75 of the Acts of 2016 and Section 6 Chapter 25A of the General Laws, and in conformance with Chapter 30A of the General Laws, is holding a public hearing on 225 CMR 20:00 Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. The SMART regulations establish a statewide solar incentive program to encourage the continued use and development of generating units that use solar photovoltaic technology by residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial electricity customers throughout the Commonwealth. Three public hearings will be conducted to receive verbal and written comments on the proposed regulations.

Location 1: Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University, 577 Western Ave, Westfield, MA
Date: July 10, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location 2: Science and Technology Center, Room 102, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA
Date: July 10, 2017 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Location 3: Tower Auditorium, MassART, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
Date: July 11, 2017 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Verbal and written testimony will be accepted at the hearings; however, parties are requested to provide written copies of their testimony. Written comments will be accepted beginning June 19, 2017 and ending at 5 pm on July 11, 2017. DOER requests that written comments be submitted as attached pdf files to emails addressed to DOER.SMART@state.ma.us, with the word SMART COMMENTS in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Kaitlin Kelly at the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114. Copies of the proposed regulations may be obtained from the DOER website.

Regards,
Michael Judge,
Director, Renewable and Alternative Energy Development

Kate Epsen, Executive Director, NH CleanTech Council-NHSEA