The proposed bill, titled "An Act facilitating distributed energy resources in the commonwealth," aims to streamline the permitting process for residential solar photovoltaic systems in Massachusetts. It introduces a Smart Residential Solar Permitting Platform that automates plan reviews, issues permits, and allows for electronic submissions and payments. Municipalities with populations over 5,000 are required to implement this platform by July 1, 2027, and must ensure that at least 75% of residential solar applications can be processed through it without manual review. The bill also mandates that municipalities provide remote inspection options and limits the number of inspections required for projects permitted through the platform.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the General Laws to enhance incentives for renewable energy adoption. It establishes a tax credit for residential property owners investing in renewable energy sources, with specific provisions for low to moderate-income taxpayers. The legislation also requires larger parking lots to install solar canopies and allows municipalities to create energy microgrids. Furthermore, it directs electric distribution companies to update interconnection processes to facilitate easier access for small-scale renewable energy projects. Overall, the bill aims to promote the use of distributed energy resources and improve the efficiency of the permitting process for solar energy installations.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 40-1, 62-6, 25A-6, 64H-6, 164-139