Purpose and Application

The purpose of 225 CMR 28.00 is to establish a successor statewide solar incentive program to 225 CMR 20.00 to encourage the continued use and development of generating units that use solar photovoltaic technologybyresidential, 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, distribution congestion, increase grid reliability, improve public health and safety, and diversify the Commonwealth's energy supply. The program establishes mechanisms that allow for responsiveness to rapidly changing market conditions to sustain the development of solar photovoltaic technology to decarbonize the grid. Further, it contributes to the Commonwealth's environmental protection goals concerning air emissions and land use policy including, but not limited to, those required by the Global Warming Solutions Act, M.G.L. c. 21N, §§ 1 through 9, and the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050, by displacing non-renewable generating resources. Owners of generating units that choose to participate in the statewide solar incentive program pursuant to 225 CMR 28.00 do so on a voluntary basis but shall comply with all the terms and requirements of 225 CMR 28.00.