Draft:Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target

Overview
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program incentivizes photovoltaic (PV) solar deployments across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SMART program started on November 26th, 2018 to replace the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) program which exhausted its funding in 2016.

The SMART program's goal is to support 1,600 megawatts of new solar deployments. The goal was then expanded to 3,200 megawatts in 2020. CLEAResult is the SMART program administrator serving the regions of the Massachusetts utility companies: Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource.

History
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program is a result of enacted legislation, Bill S. 1979, for the state to propose a comprehensive adaptation management plan. The bill was first proposed in the Massachusetts Senate. Bill S. 1979 was signed into law as Chapter 75 of the Acts of 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker.

Program Specifications
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program provides participants receive a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of renewable energy they produce. Participants in the SMART program receive a payment from the State of Massachusetts for producing renewable energy. The program's funding capacity is divided into sixteen megawatt blocks. The program declines to the next megawatt block, of a reduced incentive, once participants collectively register a megawatt of solar capacity. The funding is allocated by a region's share of electricity consumption. The regions are Fitchburg Gas & Electric served by Unitil, Massachusetts Electric and Nantucket Electric served by National Grid, and Eversource East and West.

Compensation Rate Adders
On top of the base level incentive, the SMART program offers additional adders. The adders are broken up into the categories of location based, off-taker based, energy storage, solar tracker, and pollinator.

The energy storage is undefined, as the system specifications determine the adder's rate. PV systems that track and move with the sun receive an adder of $0.01/kWh. Systems that maintain a minimum of the University of Massachusetts Clean Energy Extension Pollinator-Friendly silver certification may receive an adder of $0.0025/kWh.

The location based and off-taker based adders are divided further into several subcategories described below.

Location Based Adder
The location based adder is broken up into categories regarding land use. PV systems mounted on a building receive the smallest adder of $0.02/kWh. Floating systems receive an adder of $0.03/kWh, along with systems installed on brownfield locations. Systems installed on eligible landfills receive an adder of $0.04/kWh. Finally, land used for something other than solar, such as a solar canopy or solar integrated agriculture (Agrivolatics) receive a $0.06/kWh.

Off-taker Based Adder
The off-taker based adder is broken up into categories regarding who benefits from the PV system. Publicly owned systems receive the smallest adder of $0.02/kWh. Privately owned low income systems receive an adder of $0.03/kWh, with community low income systems at $0.06/kWh. Lastly, regular community systems receive an adder of $0.05/kWh.

Rate Calculation
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program provides participants a fixed rate that they will earn for the rest of their involvement in the SMART program. This compares to many other renewable incentive programs where the incentive value fluctuates with the supply and demand for renewable energy credits.

To calculate how much a system can earn in the SMART program subtract the value of the energy/electricity rate from the total SMART incentive amount. This subtraction ensures the state is not double compensating participants, as the energy produced is net-meter ed.