After decades of promise, solar energy is finally becoming more available in Massachusetts, through a wise use of government subsidies. The state is driving down costs by providing financial incentives for homeowners to install solar panels, and for utilities to buy back the electricity that they generate.
Under the programs Solarize Massachusetts and Commonwealth Solar, which made their final installations of the year this month, residents and businesses bought or leased solar equipment at subsidized prices, then sold any unused power back to an electric company. The total amount of state expenditures — $5.7 million in 2012 — was relatively high, but as more homes and businesses convert to solar energy, others will be compelled to try it, creating the economies of scale necessary to drive down the price.
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"After decades of promise, solar energy is finally becoming more available in Massachusetts, through a wise use of government subsidies. " What exactly constitutes a "WISE" use of government subsidies? Is the Globe then going to propose that MA residents pay higher sales, income, and gas taxes to pay for these "WISE" government subsidies?
And who will be PAYING for these "WISE" givernment subsidies? Mostly the Poor and the Middle Class.
And what's next, official LAWS that force you to buy Solar energy, else jail time?
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For every step taken forward with solar on rooftops there are 100 steps taken in reverse with wind energy mandated under the Green Communities Act. Hundreds of families in the state, and thousands internationally, are suffering the ill health effects of industrial wind encroaching on their residential neighborhoods. Tax sheltering for developers and investors is positive, but the price, a $1.86 million dollar hike for Princeton's ratepayers since two wind turbine began operation, is cost-prohibitive as solar is presently. The sponsor of the Green Communities Act is Massachusetts third House Speaker to be convicted of public corruption, Sal DiMasi. We were promised electric cost savings by the GCA. Governor Patrick on July 2, 2008 stated when signing the Green Communities Act (GCA) into law: "Today, Massachusetts has taken a giant step forward toward a clean energy future," said Governor Deval Patrick, who signed the bill at a ceremony at the Museum of Science. "This legislation will reduce electric bills, promote the development of renewable energy, and stimulate the clean energy industry that is taking root here in the Commonwealth…" [cut] http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=881e7bf3-abb5-4b47-b7e5-f6a626144f91 Governor Patrick speech continues: “…We have a lot of people to thank, none more so, and I say this with due respect to all of my other partners in government, but none more so than the Speaker of the House, Sal DiMasi. Speaker DiMasi was among the very first on Beacon Hill to recognize both our energy challenges and our energy opportunities. This bill reflects his vision and we would not be where we are without the leadership that he has shown from the start, and Sal I thank you for that…” Enter ratepayer advocate AG Martha Coakey to advise ratepayers that we should not expect to reduce our electric bills as the Governor had promised we would when he signed the Green Communities Act. 'Martha Coakley: ‘Green’ act costs $4B' http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2011_1110ag_green_act_costs_4b_calls_for_bay_state_power_contracts_to_be_competitively_bid/srvc=home&position=5 This editorial title suggests that solar is paying off under GCA. But the admission by MA DEP is that we are not there yet. Somewhere off in the distant future ratepayers stuck with a $4 billion dollar bait and switch may realize benefits of the Green Communities Act. I wonder if Sal DiMasi is enjoying his last laughs behind bars.
Well Barbara, At least Sal did something positive for Massachusetts. That's more than can be said for some other politicians. “I will modernize our outdated environmental laws to take cost into account, and stop the EPA’s practice of using imaginary benefits to justify onerous burdens. In my administration, coal will not be a four-letter word. Instead, we will applaud the industry’s success in consistently expanding electricity output while reducing pollution. And I will respect states’ proven ability to regulate fracking, rather than sending federal bureaucrats to take control. -Mitt Romney
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What's solar's cost without the` subsidies?