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MHT's Efrain Viscarolasaga: Solar installation booms in New England
The state of Massachusetts and a handful of electric utilities have agreed to join forces to construct large-scale solar photovoltaic installations across Massachusetts.
The agreement comes a year after the Green Communities Act was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick, which authorizes utilities to own and operate up to 50 megawatts of solar generation. Deregulation of the electricity markets in 1997 barred utilities from owning generation facilities. Utilities participating in the program include National Grid, NStar, Unitil/Fitchburg Gas & Electric and Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, which serves as ratepayer advocate in negotiations with utilities, has agreed to work with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to develop a streamlined system to develop “cost competitive solar projects” that would benefit ratepayers across the state.
“Through this important partnership with the attorney general, the ratepayers and the electric utilities will see a race to develop the best, lowest-cost large scale installations,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles.
Western Massachusetts Electric Co. will be the first utility to develop a solar array, some 6 megawatts, in a separate program outside of the statewide pool. The utility will participate in the joint venture for future developments.
Commercial scale solar arrays are a critical component to the state’s goal of 250 megawatts of solar power by 2017, but such facilities are scant. The largest solar array in the state is the Brockton Brightfields project, a 425 kilowatt system.
The agreement is pending approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
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