Purpose and Application

The purpose of 225 CMR 20.00 is to establish a statewide solar incentive program to encourage the continued use and development of generating units that use solar photovoltaic technology by residential, commercial, governmental and industrial electricity customers throughout the Commonwealth. The continued use and development of these generating units has the potential to reduce peak demand, system losses, the need for investment in new infrastructure, and distribution congestion; increase grid reliability; improve public health and safety; and diversify the Commonwealth's energy supply. Further, it will also contribute to the Commonwealth's environmental protection goals concerning air emissions including, but not limited to, those required by the Global Warming Solutions Act, M.G.L. c. 21N, §§ 1 through 9, by displacing nonrenewable generating resources. Owners of generating units that choose to participate in the statewide solar incentive program pursuant to 225 CMR 20.00 do so on a voluntary basis, but must comply with the terms and requirements of 225 CMR 20.00. Nothing in 225 CMR 20.00 should be read as requiring Owners of generating units to participate in this statewide solar incentive program.