APCC’s newest roof top solar array, funded by the generosity of the Tern Foundation, is fully operational and powering our use as well as exporting to the grid. Despite the methodical attack on the solar industry at the federal level with the withdrawal of incentives that supported rapid adoption of solar generating capacity, the potential for expansion of rooftop solar in Massachusetts remains substantial. Rooftop solar has significant potential to add needed supply to Massachusetts and relieve peak demands during the ever-expanding cooling season. Rooftop installation also has the enormous benefit of using existing hardscape instead of requiring the clearing of forested land common in utility scale solar projects.
One would think that Massachusetts would be all in on residential and commercial rooftop solar. As a matter of official policy, that is the case, but in reality, there is an institutional impediment that delays and increases the friction associated with maximizing solar installations. The single greatest impediment to APCC’s installations was not money, nor was it finding a good contractor. Dealing with Eversource was the hardest part of our project. Getting work scheduled was hard and slow. Getting meters installed was hard and slow. Getting an account number for an installed and functioning meter so we could obtain a building permit for the installation was hard and slow.
Our experience with Eversource was our own, and while others may be different, we have talked to enough solar installers and frustrated would-be converts to rooftop solar to think otherwise. Whatever the underlying reasons for the complications in the Eversource process, Massachusetts needs to figure this out if alternative energy is to achieve its potential as a robust part of our energy generation future.
All the well-meaning policy and creative financing means little if the key player in the grid connection chain, Eversource, doesn’t up its game to meet the moment.
