The Massachusetts Senate passed it an account yesterday which the authors refer to as “an act to save people money, restore the climate and grow the economy.” One way lawmakers plan to do this is by reforming and streamlining residential solar permitting processes statewide.
The state’s energy omnibus bill passed the House of Representatives in March (H5151) and has undergone amendments in the Senate (S3143). The “Commonwealth smart solar permitting platform” would handle permitting for solar projects digitally with the aim of reducing time-consuming manual reassessments and costs associated with the process. Document submissions, permit checklists, related fees and project approval notifications would be handled digitally. The state plans to host this solar permitting platform on a public website.
“Massachusetts families have waited too long and paid too much for relief from skyrocketing electric bills,” said Nicole Gentile, advocacy director at Permit Power, a solar nonprofit. “Today, the Senate delivered real, meaningful relief. Just by passing smart permits, families can save thousands of dollars on home solar, money that goes right back into their pockets.”
This would be available free of charge to municipalities across the country. The legislation would require municipalities to implement the smart solar permitting platform, or another similar means for electronic submission of permits for solar projects. Implementing such a permitting program could save Massachusetts homeowners planning to build solar $2,040 by 2030 and $5,540 by 2040, the researchers said. an analysis by Permit Power.
S3143 contains a provision to create a market-scale solar energy incentive program in Massachusetts. The program would be established after a period of public comment and market analysis to determine an incentive rate. There are also plans to create a program for decarbonization, energy efficiency, solar energy in public education and to create a group for residential solar protection.
“The working group will strive to facilitate the adoption of affordable solar systems and improve system performance, customer satisfaction and consumer protection throughout the life cycle of residential solar system products and contracts,” the legislation reads.
In its previous versions, this bill was intended to reduce funding Store massan energy efficiency program for residential and commercial utilities, with $1 billion, but the Senate voted to keep that funding. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives before possibly being sent to Governor Maura Healey for signature.
“As demand for electricity soars, Massachusetts needs policies that make it easier to build the energy infrastructure on which its economy depends,” said Ruthie DeWit, Northeast State Affairs director for the Solar Energy Industries Association. “This legislation takes meaningful steps to accelerate project development, strengthen the reliability of the electric grid, and keep electricity costs affordable, while strengthening the Commonwealth’s leadership in clean energy.”
