Following in the footsteps of states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, Massachusetts is about to implement a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) solar requirement. Like other solar RPS states, Massachusetts will spark solar demand by creating a market for Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), each of which represents one megawatt-hour of solar electricity generation.

Guidelines included in this report form a framework for inspecting and permitting PV systems. Guidelines are divided into two stages: plan checking and field inspection. The objective of these guidelines is to facilitate the installation of safe PV systems at minimal cost.

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States, focusing on consumer decisions to purchase electricity supplied from renewable energy sources.

This report explores the design and implementation of feed-in tariff policies, including a policy definition, various payment structures, and payment differentiation options. The report also discusses the interaction between FIT and RPS policies.

This document should be used as a guide to influence the design of new solar ready buildings. It outlines the scope of consideration that will minimize solar installation costs and maximize solar production potential when solar technologies are applied.

The guide is divided into two sections. A checklist provides quick reference and outlines the areas that need to be considered. The checklist references a second, descriptive section that provides detail and background information to the user.

To assess ways to improve the interconnection process, NREL conducted a four-part study with support from DOE. The NREL team then compiled the final reports from each study into this report.

This publication examines the solar lease option for residential PV systems and describes two solar lease programs already in place. As a result of the $2,000 cap on the residential ITC being lifted in 2009, the expansion of the solar lease model across the United States may be slower than anticipated. The lease model, though, still offers homeowners some distinct advantages. This publication helps homeowners revisit the comparison between the solar lease and home-equity financing in light of the change to the ITC.

This fact sheet addresses the financial, logistical, and legal questions relevant to implementing PPAs for PV installations.

These model net metering rules incorporate updated lessons learned and best practices since IREC's first release in 2003. Among the important advances in net metering rules incorporated within the model IREC rule are: increase in the size of systems eligible for net metering, expansion of program capacity caps, meter aggregation, and accommodation of third-party ownership of net metered systems.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has worked closely with The Vote Solar Initiative to develop model program rules for community-scale renewables that consider many of the basic issues facing community renewables programs. IREC’s model program rules address such issues as renewable system size, interconnection, eligibility for participation, allocation of the benefits flowing from participation, net metering of system production, and other essential features of a community renewables program.