On Monday, June 5, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed 225 CMR 20.00, an emergency regulation with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to implement the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. The SMART Program is designed to establish a statewide solar incentive program to encourage the continued use and development of generating units that use solar photovoltaic technology by electricity customers in the Commonwealth. The SMART Program supports 1,600 MW of new solar generating capacity and is a solar incentive pursuant to Chapter 75 of the Acts of 2016 signed by Governor Baker on April 11, 2016. 225 CMR 20.00 is a product of an extensive stakeholder process that involved over 40 public meetings and two written public comment periods.
225 CMR 20.00 takes effect immediately, but will only remain in effect for three months unless the DOER conducts a full rulemaking proceeding. This rulemaking proceeding would promulgate the regulation. In order for the SMART Program to be fully implemented, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will need to approve the tariffs filed by the Electric Distribution Companies. But, before the DPU make this approval, the DOER’s rulemaking process needs to conclude. In the meantime, the SREC II Program in Massachusetts remains in effect for eligible solar facilities. For more information on the SMART Program and the implementation process, please visit the DOER’s website.