Get SMART: New Solar Incentive Program Coming to Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is in the process of finalizing a new solar PV incentive program, the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. The regulations for SMART include an option for dual-use solar arrays on continually farmed agricultural land, namely an Agricultural Solar Tariff Generation Unit. UMass Extension is named in the regulation as a resource to farmers and developers in the development of dual-use agricultural plans. Specifically, these plans will be developed “in conjunction with UMass Amherst agricultural extension services, including compatibility with the design of the agricultural solar system for such factors as crop selection, sunlight percentage, etc.” Guidelines for the SMART program have not yet been finalized.
UMass Clean Energy Extension (CEE) is actively working with UMass Agricultural Extension, DOER, and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resource (MDAR) to develop tools and guidance for those considering dual-use PV systems. If you are being contacted by solar development companies about building arrays on your land, or just have interest or questions about this new regulation, please feel free to contact River Strong at CEE: gcstrong@umass.edu, (413) 545-8510 ext. 2.
For further reading, here is a link to the regulation:
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/10/16/225cmr20.pdf
