In a series of October presentations, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) reiterated that it plans to launch SMART on November 26, opening an online portal at http://masmartsolar.com/ to begin accepting applications. All applications received between November 26 and 11:59 PM EST on November 30 will be considered as submitted at the same time with respect to capacity block assignment.
For applications received in the initial one-week window, projects will be ranked according to when the contract between the installer and the customer was executed (for projects less than or equal to 25kW AC) or when the project's Interconnection Service Agreement was signed (for projects larger than 25kW AC).
Beginning on December 1, however, DOER will assign projects to capacity blocks on a first-come first-served basis.
While DOER will accept applications beginning November 26, don't expect to receive Preliminary Statements of Qualification (SOQs) right away. DOER aims to release the first round of SOQs about a month after program launch. In the interim, it hopes to gather information about program uptake and to finalize details like the size of the adder tranches. It remains uncertain when final tariffs to implement the SMART program will be approved by the Department of Public Utilities. Following the Order in D.P.U. 17-140 on September 26, the Distribution Companies filed a revised model tariff on October 16, but a further revised version is expected to be filed on November 16.
The big question is how quickly each capacity block and adder tranche will fill. In that regard, your guess might be as good as DOER's — but DOER says it will release data on the capacity represented by submitted applications after the initial one-week enrollment period, and daily thereafter.
Check back for more information on the SMART program in the lead up to its launch and for updates on the capacity block shakeout once the program is underway.
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