Massachusetts map from Crestock Photos
Massachusetts has enacted a new net metering law that allows homeowners and businesses to sell solar power generated by their solar power systems to utilities at retail prices. Solar houses that generate more than their consumption can now sell it for extra income.
Solar houses are not the only one’s benefiting from Massachusetts’ new net metering law. Any type of on-site electricity can be sold to the utilities. Before the new law was enacted, the state had capped the size of the power installations at 60 kW, and utilities could choose to pay at wholesale rates.
Through the new net metering law, solar houses and those with wind installations in Massachusetts can now apply to sell their excess energy to the grid. Once their application is approved, they will be paid at retail rate for their electricity. The maximum size for installations is pegged at two megawatts.
The net metering law amends Massachusetts’ Green Communities Act of 2008, which requires utilities to provide incentives to individuals and businesses that are energy efficient. Massachusetts officials hope that the incentives can bring down the amount of energy used in the state. At present electricity usage across the state increases at one percent each year.
Solar houses and wind energy systems installed in the state after 1998 can sell their RECs to the Energy Consumers Alliance of New England (ECANE) at $0.03 per kilowatt-hour for a three year period. Income from the sale of the RECS will not affect the net metering of the system. After the three year period, the customer has the right to look for other buyers.
ECANE is a non-profit organization that buys RECs from solar PV and small wind-energy systems. These RECs are bundled together with hydro and biomass RECs and sold as New England GreenStart through the green power program GreenUp. This program is offered by the National Grid, an investor-owned electric utility based in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
For more information about ECANE and their RECs buyback program, you can contact:
Kate Bogart
Energy Consumers Alliance of New England
Mass Energy/People’s Power & Light
670 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02130
E-Mail: kate@massenergy.org
Web Site: http://www.massenergy.com
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a source of an official legal or financial advice. While we attempt to represent all data as accurately as possible, we advise you to refer to official government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Hopefully this will catch on in the UK and will encourage housebuilders to embrace low carbon emitting building practices.