The Energy Consumer's Bulletin- a New England energy news blog

Solar Panels, SRECs, Double-counting, Oh My!

Thanks to New England’s relatively strong solar policies, many of our members have gone solar – by owning panels, leasing panels, or participating in community solar programs. To those of you who have gone solar – congrats! However, even though you’re generating solar power, you’re probably not consuming the solar power you generate. In other words, even if you have solar panels or are participating in community solar, you cannot necessarily make the claim that you’ve reduced your personal greenhouse gas emissions as a result.

Having Our Cake and Eating It Too: How to use your heating oil savings wisely

Updated: August 10, 2017.
Compared to many years ago, the last few heating seasons have shown moderate prices and very little fluctuations. According to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA), the inventory of distillate oil (which covers heating oil and diesel fuel) is high. As a result, the likelihood of a price spike is quite low. However, the EIA does project a modest price increase of about 20 cents per gallon on average in the US between now and mid-winter.

Solar in the Ocean State: A Review of Rhode Island's Solar Incentives

2016 is looking good for solar in Rhode Island. People’s Power & Light (PP&L) is still looking into options to launch our own solar program, but in the meantime we want to share some resources that you can use to install solar this year.

Why Buying New England Class I RECs is the Only Way to Make the Switch

The average home uses electricity all day long and most of us don’t even think about it. You may have heard that you can use your energy dollar to demand 100% clean renewable electricity instead of your utility’s dirty resource mix. Programs aimed at helping you green up the grid are numerous in this country, but many don’t deliver the intended results. However, in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, there is one way to ensure that your green power payments are making a difference:  by purchasing Class I or “new” Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

The subject matter in this blog is still relevant in 2019, but for a more current blog on the same topic, click here.

ReNewable Now: Hydro, Going Strong at the Birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution

Guest blog originally posted on ReNewable Now's website about our tour of the Pawtucket Hydro Facility on Nov 7, 2015.

Being positive about negative Texas wind prices

In September, it was reported that wholesale electricity prices in Texas were negative during some evenings, largely a result of high wind production.  Wind makes up a higher percentage of Texas’ energy mix than in New England, but we want to see more wind here.  So what does it mean that there were negative electricity prices?  To get a good answer, we asked our expert friends at the Cambridge-based Synapse Energy Economics. 

Solar Panels in Massachusetts: Solar Connect a Huge Success

Mass Energy members (and friends) make Solar Connect a huge success!

Mass Solar Connect came to an end on August 31^st and we are pleased to report that not only was the program tremendously successful at increasing awareness and access to solar at a discounted price, but thanks to the interest and support of our members and affiliates, Mass Energy surpassed its goal of 200 contracts. A total of 261 contracts were signed, with a total electricity capacity of 1.9 megawatts! That’s the equivalent of removing 361 cars from the road and avoids approximately 1,700 metric tons of CO2 per year.

Go Solar in MA: Will your roof be next?

Did you know that a rooftop solar system can save you up to $30,000 over its lifetime? Thanks to a combination of state and federal incentives, a variety of ownership and financing options, and decreasing prices, solar can be an affordable and smart investment in Massachusetts.

Local Wind Turbines and Low-Impact Hydro: Updates in MA and RI

We like to keep our members and the general public updated on renewable energy progress in New England. Our green power updates will tell you a little more about what’s going on in renewable energy construction. The local wind turbines and low-impact hydro project in this update are supported by Mass Energy and People's Power & Light members.

Massachusetts Net Metering Caps: Clarifying the Confusion

Have you recently stumbled across a news article, email, or blog post about Net Metering Caps in Massachusetts? Don’t be discouraged. Chances are the net metering caps do not actually apply to your residential solar installation. Even so, net metering caps are a pressing issue in the solar industry, and here in Massachusetts, right now.