CESA Member Massachusetts
“States are at the forefront of the effort to drive innovation and growth in renewable energy. As the federal government increases its support for clean energy, it's vital that individual states continue to support the development and deployment of clean energy innovations.”
Visit the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Website
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC) was established in 2008 to advance the state's clean energy economy. The quasi-public agency chaired by Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles serves as a clearinghouse and support center for the clean energy sector, making direct investments in new and existing companies, helping companies access capital and other vital resources for growth, and developing training programs to build a strong clean energy workforce that capitalizes on the job opportunities created by this vital industry.
In November 2009, Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation that transferred the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to the CEC, creating a single agency responsible for fostering the development and installation of clean energy technologies and the green jobs that go with them. The CEC's main initiatives include promoting renewable energy generation, investing in job creation, advancing technology, and developing a strong clean energy workforce.
Commonwealth Solar
In January 2010, the CEC launched Commonwealth Solar II. Building on the success of the Patrick-Murray administration's inaugural solar PV program, which supported 1,200 installations for more than 23 MW, Commonwealth Solar II complements the introduction of a new Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program launched in January 2010 by the state's Department of Energy Resources. Residential and small commercial scale solar systems are eligible for rebates under Commonwealth Solar II. In addition, residential, small commercial, and larger systems will receive incentives through the SREC program, which features an innovative price support mechanism. Under a separate initiative, the CEC will administer $8 million to support solar PV projects with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded State Energy Program.
Commonwealth Wind
This program consists of four components:
- Micro Wind is a performance-based incentive program offering support to wind installations below 100 kW.
- The Community-Scale Wind program provides feasibility and design and construction support to projects ranging from 100 kW to 2 MW in conjunction with the state's new net-metering regulations.
- The Commercial-Scale Wind program grants non-recourse loans to early stage projects that will sell to the regional wholesale power market.
In addition, the CEC supports the development of national offshore wind policy by funding of the U.S. Offshore Wind Collaborative.
Commonwealth Hydro
The state's new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) regulations require that eligible facilities become certified by the Low Impact Hydro Institute. The CEC's hydroelectric support helps small dam owners explore certification and provides substantial grant support to improvements that create incremental increases in renewable power generation.
Workforce and Development Training
The CEC's Workforce Development and Training program has devoted nearly $4 million to workforce training and education initiatives by awarding grants for training in weatherization, solar photovoltaic and thermal, wind energy, clean energy construction, apprenticeship development, and entrepreneurship. Massachusetts implemented the state-funded Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training initiatives. The CEC established a statewide network for energy efficiency and building science training and continuously sponsors workforce training and education events.
Job Creation
Through its new investment program, the CEC partners with its portfolio companies, new companies, and clean energy investors to help companies develop proof of concepts, prototype development, seed-stage financing, and expansion-state capital.
