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The Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) Program offers incentives for solar energy production and can also benefit energy storage systems, particularly when combined with solar installations. Here are the key features of Massachusetts’ SMART Program in relation to energy storage:
Key Features of Massachusetts’ SMART Program
- Incentive Structure:
- The SMART Program is a declining block incentive program with a total capacity of 3,200 MW. Incentive rates decrease as capacity blocks fill up.
- Participants lock in a fixed incentive rate for 10 years based on the block they join when they enroll.
- Energy Storage Integration:
- Battery Storage Adders: Homeowners can increase their base compensation rate by adding battery storage to their solar systems, which qualifies as an “adder.”
- Backup Power and Energy Storage: Having a battery allows homeowners to store excess solar energy for later use and provides backup power during outages.
- Program Structure:
- Eligible Utilities: The program is available through three investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts: Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil.
- Solar System Types: The program supports both behind-the-meter systems, which reduce monthly utility bills, and stand-alone systems, which sell all generated energy back to the utility for a fixed tariff.
- Long-Term Benefits:
- Predictable Payments: Participants benefit from guaranteed, fixed incentive payments for up to 20 years, providing predictable income for solar energy producers.
Overall, while the SMART Program primarily supports solar energy, integrating energy storage can enhance its benefits through adders and backup power capabilities.
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