NECEC President Peter Rothstein released the following statement following the Massachusetts Legislature’s passage of the H. 4173, which is expected to be signed by Governor Charlie Baker:

“This is a positive development for the Commonwealth’s solar industry and will enable it to move forward with near term solar projects that will preserve local jobs and provide economic, energy and environmental benefits to Massachusetts residents, businesses and communities.

On behalf of our solar member companies and their customers who have had projects stalled, put job hiring on hold or had to lay off employees in the last year due to the net metering cap, NECEC thanks the Legislature for acting to address this critical issue. Chairs of the Solar Energy Conference Committee, Senator Ben Downing and Representative Brian Dempsey, conference committee members and many other legislators showed great leadership in working to achieve this compromise to ensure the solar industry can continue to grow in Massachusetts.

While the much needed cap increase will allow hundreds of stalled projects to move forward, this increase provides only an interim solution as the caps are likely to be hit again in the next year.

In addition to this legislative fix for the net metering cap, the Baker Administration must act quickly to redesign ‘a statewide solar incentive program,’ a critical next step to ensuring the long-term economic viability of the solar industry, which delivers customer value and enhances electricity system sustainability.

NECEC is committed to working with the Legislature and the Baker Administration to develop a permanent solution based on a long-term sustainable solar policy framework that reduces costs, benefits customers and truly creates a long-term sustainable solar industry, recognizing the value that solar provides for all customers.”

NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council & NECEC Institute) is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.