• Renewable Energy Snapshot

  • Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) & Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Programs (APS)

    Massachusetts' Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) was one of the first programs in the nation that required a certain percentage of the state's electricity to come from renewable energy. The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) was established to complement the RPS Program, providing requirements and incentives for alternative electricity technologies.

  • Solar

    The sun's rays supply an abundant amount of solar energy, which can be converted into electricity or heat. It has many benefits: Solar energy is free and does not add to the production of global greenhouse emissions, acid rain, or smog. Also, the cost of solar energy technology has been decreasing significantly as the technology and market mature globally and within Massachusetts. The Commonwealth's goal is to achieve 250 MW of solar power installations by 2017.

  • Wind

    Wind energy is fueled by an infinitely renewable resource - moving air. It can be generated locally and does not release any carbon dioxide or other emissions. It also contributes to our energy security and creates economic development. The Commonwealth's goal is to install 2000 megawatts of wind energy by 2020.

  • Distributed Generation (DG) and Interconnection

    DOER has filed Joint Comments pdf format of Joint Comments recommending the creation of a DG Working Group to improve the process for connecting on-site clean energy projects (e.g., solar and wind). The filing was in response to DPU's new investigation triggered by the MA DG Interconnection Report pdf format of dg-inter.pdf file size 2MB filed by DOER on August 18. The filings are available in the DPU File Room; enter Docket No. 11-75.

  • Renewable Heating and Cooling

    Thermal energy is used for heating and cooling buildings, as well as for certain industrial processes. Today there is an expanding opportunity to use local renewable energy resources such as sunlight, sustainable biomass, the earth or ambient air. In the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020, policy makers estimate that renewable thermal technologies can displace slightly more than 2% of Massachusetts 1990 greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Alternative Transportation

    Vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, electricity, and natural gas, in place of oil help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere and increase our energy security. The Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition focuses on promoting the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), as well as supporting development of the infrastructure necessary to make AFVs viable transportation options, and changing our communities for the better.

  • Biomass

    Biomass includes a variety of versatile renewable fuel sources derived from organic plant and animal material, such as wood, crops, landfill gas, solid waste, and alcohol fuels. These locally produced resources can be used to generate electricity, provide heat, and develop alternative transportation fuels.

  • Advanced Biofuels

    Advanced biofuels are liquid fuels that are generally derived from non-food-based feedstocks and yield a lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50% compared with fossil fuels.

  • Renewable Energy Funding and Incentives

    Many opportunities encourage investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency for businesses, institutions, and homes. Learn about state and federal incentives as well as financing and tax incentives.