The eagerly awaited MA SREC-II program promises to keep the MA solar industry in over-drive, but when will it start and what happens between now and then? We’ve previously noted in our blog and bulletin emails sent to installers that moving forward SREC-I is separated into two applicant categories. There is still uncertainty about the SREC-II program design and timeline for its implementation, but we know that it may be implemented as early as Q1 2014.
SREC-I Projects 100 kW and Smaller
Projects 100 kW and smaller are eligible for the SREC-I program provided that they are installed and officially interconnected (permission to operate in hand) before the effective date of SREC-II. Our current understanding is that the effective date of SREC-II will likely be sometime after January 2014.
SREC-I Projects Larger than 100 kW
Projects eligible for SREC-I that are not fully interconnected by 12/31/13 must apply for an eligibility extension. Projects are eligible for extensions if they have spent at least 50% of the estimated project construction cost by 12/31/13.
SREC – I extension documents can be found here. Projects registered with SRECTrade should return these documents to us no later than Friday, 12/13/13 to guarantee that SRECTrade can send them to the DOER and confirm their acceptance.
SREC-II Is Still Not Official
We expect the DOER to formally propose the SREC-II program in early November 2013. Once this is done the proposal must undergo several formal review steps including a public comment period and legislative review period. Given these steps we anticipate that the review process will take 100 days or more. Assuming this timeline, the SREC-II program would be effective in February 2014.
Also, be aware that the formal proposal will likely include deviations from the DOER’s initial draft proposal that was submitted in August.
Here are the steps required prior to implementation of the SREC-II program.
Step #1 – File formal SREC-2 proposal with the MA Sec. of State
Step #2 – Hold Stakeholder Meeting in Boston (within 21 days of formal filing)
Step #3 – Assess public comments and post comments on DOER website
Step #4 – Submit Proposal to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy
Step #5 – Post to DOER website Joint Committee comments (30 days required)
Step #6 – Submit final draft to MA Sec. of State
Step #7- SREC-2 Program effective start (likely 14+ days after final submission to Sec. of State)
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