Final SREC II Factor Guidelines

We have cut and pasted below the final SREC II factor guidelines which were released just yesterday. While most of this is what was presented at the DOER Stakeholder meeting on January 31st, 2017 in Boston, some of the changes are worth noting.

Specifically the eligibility for good cause to get the extension, is important to note. Also, the extension is now extended to March 31st, 2018. Previously, it was thought that the program would not be extended beyond the end of 2017. This is very important to system owners that are looking to develop projects now vs waiting one year for the new SMART program to be promulgated.

System owners now have one year to design develop and build a system to be mechanically complete by the end of March 2018.

From the standpoint of Beaumont Solar, this is plenty of time to develop a rooftop project, and also could be enough time to develop a ground array project, considering that the project does not have significant hurdles.

For those system owners who are in Municipal Light Plant territories, this would be the time to develop those projects, as the new SMART program has no provisions for MLP serviced regions.

At Beaumont Solar we are in a position to calculate the trade offs of going with the SREC II extension vs. SMART for your review and comment. Please feel free to reach out to us and ask questions regarding the program, timing, tradeoffs, and benefits. You can contact us on email at: info@beaumontsolarco.com or by phone at 508-990-1757 x-201.

Dear Solar Stakeholder,

The Department of Energy Resources has finalized the SREC Factors to be applied to those SREC II projects that seek a good cause construction deadline extension through the start of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program.  

All Solar Carve-out II Renewable Generation Units that currently have a Statement of Qualification and have not yet obtained an extension as of today will have their Statements of Qualification revoked and have their application status changed to “rejected.” Once rejected, these applicants may submit new applications for these facilities and seek extensions for good cause. Any extension obtained shall be effective until March 31, 2018 at the factors listed below. Facilities that can demonstrate that they are mechanically complete or commercially operational by a date later than March 31, 2018, but earlier than the effective date of the SMART program, will continue to have their SREC Factors reduced as prescribed in the SREC Factor Guideline.

Under the terms of the extension, a solar facility that:  

1. Has not received an extension to the deadlines set forth in 225 CMR 14.05 (9)(s)4.a. prior to the effective date of the revised SREC Factor Guideline;
2. receives an extension for good cause pursuant to 225 CMR 14.05(9)(s)4.c.; and
3. can demonstrate that they are mechanically complete or commercially operational by March 31, 2018 will receive the SREC Factors identified in the following table, pursuant to the SREC Factor Guideline.

NOTE: SREC II systems with a capacity equal to or less than 25 kW DC will still receive an SREC Factor of 0.8, provided the facility receives its authorization to interconnect before the effective date of the SMART program.

To qualify for a good cause extension, an applicant must submit a new application through DOER’s online Statement of Qualification Application. The applicant must then fill out the SREC II Good Cause Extension Request Form, and email the form to DOER.SREC@state.ma.us with the subject line “SREC II Reduced Factor Good Cause Extension Request”.

If you have any questions on this extension, send them to DOER.SREC@state.ma.us.

Regards,  

Michael Judge

Director, Renewable and Alternative Energy Division

Department of Energy Resources