The administration of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has launched a $68 million program to increase the number of solar electric panels on homes, businesses and schools across the state by 600% during the next four years.
The Boston Globe reports the plan does not involve new taxes or fees, but will instead rely on special incentives for buying solar panels. Extra state aid will also be allocated for lower-income homeowners to install solar systems.
The Patrick administration estimates the results of the plan will increase the collective capacity of solar panels installed in the state from the current level of 4 MW to 27 MW by 2012. The program will also emphasize the sale of Massachusetts-made solar panels, as a means of boosting the local renewable energy industry.
