The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) runs a program that offers an on-going production incentive for solar systems, known as SMART, Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target.
The SMART program promotes solar in the commonwealth through a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) solar compensation rate for solar system owners. The rate of compensation is determined by several factors, and is paid directly from the utility to the system owner.
For each of the three participating utilities—Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil—there are established tracks of capacity blocks. As the capacity for each block is reached, new systems will be placed into the subsequent block. SMART also considers system size, with highest compensation rates for systems in the < 25 kW and 25 kW - 250 kW categories. Systems under 25kW receive SMART compensation for 10 years, and systems between 25 and 250 kW receive SMART payment for a 20 year term.
In addition to a system’s base compensation rate there are compensation rate adders. These adders include energy storage, a roof mounted adder, and a solar canopy adder for carports.
In this way, a system’s full compensation rate is calculated as its base compensation rate plus any rate adders, based on the current program capacity block.
A 100 panel, 25kW AC solar system on a house of worship will generate approximately 32,000 kilowatt hours hours annually. In National Grid, that system will save approximately $6000 a year in electricity cost and earn another $4000 a year in SMART compensation.
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