Block 5 of Mass Commonwealth Solar Rebate Announced

The solar power incentives in Massachusetts have almost been too good to be true this year.  It’s one of the best places in the country to make an investment in solar.  With the introduction of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) coupled with decreasing module and equipment costs, the payback for a PV installation in Massachusetts in 2010 is about half of what it was if you invested in a system in 2009.   Massachusetts has seen the installed capacity in the state grow quickly in the last year with more than 2,600 solar electric systems predicted to be in service by the end of this year contributing to 45 Megawatts of solar power.

Block 4 of the Commonwealth Solar II rebate was closed on November 30^th for both Expedited and Non-Expedited installers.  Block 5 will open in the early January timeframe and new incentive levels have been announced. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has established a rate change to the rebates in order to grant funding to a larger number of projects while allowing solar to still be affordable to Massachusetts homeowners and businesses.   The incentive change will allow 200 additional projects to get rebates that wouldn’t have if the rates stayed the same.  Funding for the Commonwealth Solar II program will remain in place for the rest of calendar year 2011.

I am confident in saying the rebate change will not have a profound effect on the economics of a photovoltaic solar project in the state.  Massachusetts still remains as one of the best states for solar in the country.  I do think, however, that the downward trend for incentives will continue as PV equipment becomes cheaper and more effiecient  The moral of this story is if you’re interested in solar energy in Massachusetts; don’t wait to pull the trigger on the project.

The new rebate levels for Block 5 are as follows:

Base Incentive – $0.75 per watt (DC @ STC)

Massachusetts Company Components Adder – $0.10 per watt (DC @ STC)

Moderate Home Value Adder OR Moderate Income Adder – $0.85 per watt (DC @ STC) 

From experience, I can tell you Massachusetts solar incentives aren’t going to stay the same forever.  If you’re interested in solar power for your home or business, you should work with a solar installer to see if it makes sense for your site.  Rebates are not available for do-it-yourself projects and you will have to involve a solar professional to qualify.  Brightstar Solar is a licensed Massachusetts solar installer with experience working with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.  Please reach out to us if you’re interested in a complimentary solar evaluation and free estimate for your home or business in Massachusetts.