DIY = Impossible to get SMART solar rebates in Massachusetts?

http://masmartsolar.com/ -> Apply -> Step 1 ( Application and Claim Validation Checklist ) ==

This seems to be blocking my DIY plans.
I'm going to put an array on top of a canopy/pergola. The SMART application tells me that the only way I can get the SMART rebate (which I want) is to have an installer do the work.

Has anyone been through this and found a DIY-ish solution that they would recommend?

I wouldn't mind hiring a solar installer to help me. If anyone has a recommendation for a solar installer that will work with a mostly DIY setup please let me know.

Thanks!

What is a 'solar installer', as defined in the legislation? Somebody with an ology? A registered company? Somebody with 'an appropriate level of competence'? I don't know but finding this out would undoubtedly help you.

Most of the base criteria is outline in the second link. You will need a valid contract with the installer that specifies the system installed.

So it's really a DUMB solar rebate to subsidize installers?

I agree with @tictag Call them up and ask how to become an "installer", don't mention DIY. From my brief scan installers have specific duties (e.g., filing paperwork), so possibly you just need to file a form saying you'll do that. Let us know what you find!

It's defined here: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/10/16/225cmr20.pdf

<quote>
Primary Installer. The primary entity responsible for a Solar Tariff Generation Unit's installation. The Primary Installer must be a professional contractor licensed to conduct business in Massachusetts. Any electrical work performed on the installation must be conducted by an electrician holding a valid and current license in Massachusetts. The Primary Installer is directly responsible for turnkey project management and installation work, although the installation work may be sub-contracted. Homeowners or other individuals are not eligible to be a Primary Installer unless they are a Massachusetts licensed electrician completing an installation on their own property.
</quote>

So it seems that you must have an electricians license even if you subcontract out all of the electrical work.

I was just finishing up the PV permit application. Now I'm going to have to take a step back and find an electrician who will be directly responsible for project management too.
It seems that this means I'll have to work with existing solar installers who are prepared to do this. I've contacted a few of them already and they were only interested in installing their own inverters/panels/etc. that they were familiar with and had pricing deals with distributors.

My options seem to be:

1. keep searching for an installer that will just install my parts/design.
2. scrap my design and let an installer come in with a new system.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

What's the value of the credit versus the cost of the "primary installer"?

svetz said:

What's the value of the credit versus the cost of the "primary installer"?

Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I'm working out now. This is going to take a while...

I'm in the same situation--looking to do DIY and take advantage of the SMART thing. I just got off the phone with national grid, and apparently in MA, they currently pay you $.09 per kwh (as of this post--I believe that will fluctuate with the price of electricity). So, if you generate 500kw that's a whopping 45$ per month, for 10 years. So, do the math, and you're realizing that that amounts to 5k total. The difference between installing yourself and having a contractor do it is probably more than that, so the SMART program will not save you as much money as DIYing will. That's my calculus at least.

I only get 4.5 cents / kWh for smart, but I have a 44kWh battery so I have a storage adder of 5.65 cents, which gives me a total of 11.057 cents / kWh.
22,000kWh/year x 11.057 cents x 10 years ~= $24,325 in 2020 dollars.

I don't know if I get 11.057 cents for power I generate, or power that gets sent to the grid after I've taken what I need...

Huh, that's funny that they have you and I different rates. You have ngrid also? You'd think you'd be getting .09 plus your .056 for the battery. It sounds like your have a way bigger system than I am considering, so maybe that we 24k would make it worth it for you, whereas not for me.

I'm on ngrid. I was told that because my system is > x(?)kWh I only get .045.
My solar installer deemed my Outback system as too different from what they normally provide and has backed out.
AltE store mentioned that I can get the Mass solar credits by working with an electrician so I'm attempting to find an electrician who will work with me on that.

Path of least resistance is to find a contractor/installer that will help with 'final inspection' for 'a cut of the action'.

You will need it permitted and local inspected.