Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), applauding 100 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for writing House leadership in support of legislation to assure strong net energy metering policies:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), applauding 100 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for writing House leadership in support of legislation to assure strong net energy metering policies:

"Massachusetts was our nations fourth largest builder of solar energy capacity in 2015, and much of the states strong investment climate is due to successfully designed net metering policies allowing Massachusetts businesses to go solar. However, the state has reached one of the net metering caps and as a result is seeing a reduction in solar installations. The Bay State employs 15,000 solar workers and was home to $800 million in industry investment in 2015. We join members of the House of Representatives in asking House leadership and the full Massachusetts legislature to pass legislation at the earliest opportunity that will re-open the local solar market, restore investments in communities and allow local businesses to rehire workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the caps on net metering."

About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2016, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.