Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) welcomed the Massachusetts Senates passage of a clean energy bill that will help bring solar jobs back to the state, and urged the state House to pass the solar elements of the proposal.

BOSTON, Mass. and WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) welcomed the Massachusetts Senates passage of a clean energy bill that will help bring solar jobs back to the state, and urged the state House to pass the solar elements of the proposal.

The bill (Senate Bill 2545) eliminates caps on net metering, increases the states Renewable Portfolio Standard by an additional three percent each year, and reverses the Department of Public Utilities decision allowing the utility Eversource to charge its solar consumers extra fees.

Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, SEIAs vice president of state affairs:

"This bill fixes policies that have caused one of Massachusetts strongest industries to shed jobs and stifle businesses and consumers who want to go solar. We commend the state Senate for advancing this legislation, and we urge the House to do its part. By taking up key parts of this bill, the House can help bring thousands of solar jobs back to the Bay State, unlock millions of dollars of investment currently in limbo, and prevent consumers from being charged discriminatory fees when they embrace solar and other renewables."

SEIAs latest Solar Market Insight report, released Tuesday (June 12), shows Massachusetts is projected to see a drop in solar installations this year. The state lost 3,000 solar jobs from 2016 to 2017, a 21 percent reduction. Because of the states net metering caps, many projects are stalled, causing companies to shift their capital elsewhere in the Northeast. Senate Bill 2545 fixes many of these issues and will help return Massachusetts to its spot as one of the U.S.s solar leaders.

###

About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 44th anniversary in 2018, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 250,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.