PowerDash prepares for the Massachusetts Solar Carve-Out

Today the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed emergency regulations to establish a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Solar Carve-Out program beginning 1 January 2010. Through these regulations, a new market for tradeable Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) has been created. This market-based incentive program is designed to support residential, commercial, public, and non-profit entities in developing 400 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation across the Commonwealth, a dramatic increase over the current level of solar generating capacity.

In this market, the SREC unit of currency, representing 1 megawatt-hour (MWH) of generated solar power, only becomes tradeable after it has been "minted" — verified and certified according to rules described in the regulations. The Production Tracking System (PTS) managed by the Commonwealth's Clean Energy Center / Renewable Energy Trust is the "sole and required" independent verifier for the RPS Solar Carve-Out program.

And that's where PowerDash can help.

PowerDash is very active in reporting customer production data to this system, as the PTS has already been widely used for the Commonwealth Solar rebate program. In fact, PowerDash is responsible for reporting over 2.5 MW of solar generating capacity to the PTS, the same system that will be used by the new SREC market.

The upshot, as far as the new SREC market is concerned? PowerDash is ready to help new and existing customers navigate the unfamiliar waters of PTS data reporting, thereby removing an obstacle to participation in the Solar Carve-Out program.

For all the apparent complexity of the new regulations, the goal is worthy: growing the Commonwealth's supply of and market for solar power. PowerDash certainly supports that goal and is ready to simplify the process for SREC participants.