Massachusetts
Incentives/Policies for Renewable Energy
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Last DSIRE Review: 08/28/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Interconnection |
| State: |
Massachusetts |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric,
Photovoltaics,
Landfill Gas,
Wind,
Biomass,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Fuel Cells,
Municipal Solid Waste,
CHP/Cogeneration,
Microturbines,
Other Distributed Generation Technologies
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential,
Nonprofit,
Schools,
Local Government,
State Government,
Fed. Government
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| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities |
| System Capacity Limit: | No limit specified |
| Standard Agreement: | Yes |
| Insurance Requirements: | Vary by system size and/or type; levels established by commission |
| External Disconnect Switch: | Utility's discretion |
| Net Metering Required: | No |
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Web Site: |
http://masstech.org/
cleanenergy/howto/interconnection/index.htm
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Authority 1:
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Model Interconnection Tariff, Order No. 09-03
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| Date Effective: | 2007 (subsequently amended) |
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Summary:
Massachusetts's interconnection standards apply to all forms of distributed generation (DG), including renewables, and to all customers of the state's four investor-owned utilities. The original Model Interconnection Tariff was developed by the Massachusetts DG Collaborative and adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) in February 2004. (The DG Collaborative -- a combination of the state's utilities and DG stakeholders -- was created by the DTE in October 2002 to develop interconnection standards for Massachusetts. The DG Collaborative's work encompasses all sizes of DG on both radial and secondary network systems.) The DTE adopted minor revisions to the Model Interconnection Tariff in December 2005 and again in February 2007, based on the DG Collaborative's recommendations.*
The Model Interconnection Tariff includes provisions for three levels of interconnection. Simplified interconnection applies to certified, inverter-based, single-phase less than 10 kilowatts (kW) and certified, three-phase systems up to 25 kW in capacity. For simplified interconnection, there are no fees for the interconnection approval process, and applications must be processed within 15 days. However, if the proposed interconnection is on a distribution network circuit, the utility may charge a $100 fee to review the network protector's interaction with the system. For simplified network interconnection, the aggregate generating facility capacity must be less than 1/15th of the customer’s minimum load. (The issue of interconnection to network systems is particularly important in Massachusetts because network systems are commonly used in dense urban areas, such as Boston.)
Other interconnections can either qualify for "expedited" interconnection or will have to undergo "standard" interconnection review. Under the expedited interconnection procedures, both the time frames and fees to complete the interconnection are limited. Fees are set at $3 per kW of generator capacity, with a minimum fee of $300 and a maximum of $2,500.
For small renewables and larger DG systems, technical requirements are based on the IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards. A manual external disconnect switch may be required at the discretion of the utility. Utilities must collect and track information on the interconnection process. This information will be used in revising and updating the standards.
The DG Collaborative has developed an interconnection guide to help customers navigate the interconnection process.
* The Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications & Energy (DTE) was dissolved in April 2007. In its place, two new agencies -- the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Department of Telecommunications & Cable (DTC) -- were created. The DPU handles electric, gas, siting, pipeline, water and transportation issues.
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Contact:
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Nathan Phelps
Department of Public Utilities
Electric Power Division
One South Station
Second Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 305-3707
Web Site: http://www.state.ma.us/dpu
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Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.
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