Solar SREC Meters and 3G Phase Out

If your solar array began operating before 2019, your solar production meter (not your CMLP utility meter) may be affected by the 3G phase out to prepare for the 5G upgrade.  Please see below for more details from the state Department of Energy Resources on your options.  

Note that solar projects with a signed CMLP Approval to Operate before 4/25/14 were eligible for the SREC I program and solar installations with a CMLP Approval to Operate between 4/25/14 and 11/26/18 were eligible for the SREC II program.  Solar arrays with a signed CMLP Approval to Operate before 6/30/22 who were also accepted into the state program before 6/30/21 are eligible for the state MLP Solar Rebate program.  Official Approval to Operate dates are shown with the CMLP signature on the second page of the Interconnection Application & Service Agreement document.


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SREC Systems and 3G Phase Out

 

Dear Solar Stakeholder, 
 
In 2022, the 3G cellular wireless networks will be phased out and it may affect the production reporting of SREC and SREC II systems. More information on the planned phase out of the 3G wireless network is available here.   
     
If your SREC or SREC II system has telemetering equipment to report your solar production to a Data Acquisition System, you may be affected.  The phase out should only affect the production meter’s ability to report generation, while the ability to record and store production data are likely unaffected. Therefore, the 3G phase out should not affect any system less than 10kW that has been manually reporting production to Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Production Tracking System (PTS).    
     
To minimize the disruption to the market and to support system owners ability to continue generating their SRECs, DOER is sharing a list of potential options system owners may consider[1].   
     
1)  Hardwire- If available, the metering system may be able to be hardwired into the internet and avoid using cellular services going forward.    
     
2)  Modem Replacement- Many metering systems may be able to have the modem replaced with an LTE capable system.    
     
3)  Meter Replacement- New meters with LTE capable systems can be installed.    
     
4) Switch to Manual Reporting- Effective January 2022, MassCEC’s PTS Reporting Requirements have been modified to allow SREC and SREC II systems 25kW direct current (DC) or smaller to manually report their production. The ability to manually report had previously been limited to systems that were 10kW or smaller.  For assistance in changing your SREC or SREC II system to manual reporting, please email your questions to pts@masscec.com.   
     
DOER encourages system owners to work with professional installers to assess their production meters and ensure that the installed equipment meets all of the requirements, including the MassCEC PTS Help Center- Reporting Requirements (SRECs).   
     
If you have any questions, please direct them to DOER.SREC@mass.gov.   
     
 Regards,    
     
 Eric Steltzer    
 Director, Renewable and Alternative Energy Division

[1] Sustainable Energy Advantage’s Massachusetts Solar Market Study options 1-3.   

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

100 Cambridge St. Suite 1020

Boston, MA 02114