The future of Massachusetts’ solar industry is in doubt after state lawmakers failed to reach a compromise, likely pushing the issue to next year.
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The House and Senate passed separate bills to increase the amount of solar power that can be sold back to the grid, and how much utility companies should pay for it.
Pittsfield state Sen. Ben Downing, the lead Senate solar negotiator, says he hopes to strike a deal soon.
“We want to make sure we take advantage of the federal investment tax credit. I know that’s a goal that both sides have. And every day that we don’t, you know, that’s a missed opportunity,” Downing says. “But I know everyone wants to get something done, so we’ll keep working on it.”
Those federal incentives on solar production expire at the end of 2016.
Solar proponents say the current caps are stalling projects across Massachusetts.
Critics complain that solar projects receive more lucrative incentives than other clean energy sources, like wind and hydropower.
New England Public Radio’s Mike Deehan and Adam Frenier, and the State House News Service, contributed to this report.