AWD 3302: Project Files

Bringing Solar to Boston

• Matt Parlon
• 8/15/2016
• Attention to: Mr. Marty Walsh

Table of Contents

• 1.0: Abstract
• 2.0: Background
• 3.0: Purpose
• 4.0: Approach
• 5.0: Feasibility
• 6.0: Conclusion

abstract

As it stands, Massachusetts is one of the nations^[i.n.] foremost clean energy friendly states. One would infer that Boston, the state capitol, would lead the way and set the example for the rest of the Massachusetts. Boston is a diverse, growing city and its energy policy should reflect that. By decentralizing the energy generation of Boston, the associated financial gain can be properly distributed across all income levels. By providing a tax credit equal to 25% the value of the investment associated with using solar energy, Boston could greatly reduce its load on the grid and its yearly carbon emissions. ^[i.n.]

Background

Currently, there are several federal and state incentives associated with meeting a portion of ones energy demand with solar energy. The Federal ITC reimburses investors of photovoltaics with a tax credit equal to 30% of their invested capital. In Massachusetts, there is a SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) that also provides money to counter the required upfront investment associated with solar. Net metering allows generators of solar energy to sell their excess energy back to the grid at a price that is slightly less than what the grid charges to supply energy.

Sustainability focuses on the environmental, social, and economic costs associated with actions. However, in terms of getting people to adopt a movement, economic terms seem to be the most persuasive. Providing an incentive that is able to put the social and environmental externalities associated with the burning of fossil fuel into economic terms allows for a more fair comparison of energy generation techniques. The Daily Climate reported, "Coal plants place a disproportionate burden on poor and largely minority communities, exposing residents to high levels of pollutants that affect public health". It is easy to see that, without taking the cost of externalities into account, people that compare things strictly economically will not change their ways and distributed burdens will continue to go largely ignored.

Purpose

Providing an incentive that will allow for greater adoption of solar energy generation techniques will benefit all in the target area as well as surrounding communities. There are many advantages to going solar that span all facets of society. Boston should provide a citywide financial incentive to people that adopt photovoltaic-based energy production methods. By using more photovoltaics, Bostonians would decrease their carbon footprint, increase consumer awareness, and start to mitigate the health concerns associated with air pollution from fossil fuel burning facilities.

Approach

Understandably, there will be some push back to this proposal. This is due to the fact that to generate the necessary capital to supply a PV tax credit, some will have to be charged more than their current electricity rate. However, by increasing the cost of energy generated from fossil fuels, Boston would be forcing people who contribute to the pollution of the environment pay for the cost of this externality. This price correction would not be large because the number of ratepayers using fossil fuel generated energy is so much greater than those that would receive the benefit of this incentive that their rate would not increase greatly. As more and more people go solar, the ratio of ratepayers funding the incentive to those benefiting would decrease. For this reason, there will be an obvious reason to join this program as early as possible. That being said, this also adds the constraint that this incentive program is to be reevaluated over time as not to eventually have an unfair burden on those that do not adopt this program.

Immediately, a citywide incentive program should be brought to town council and be introduced to the public. As public meetings evaluate this proposal, a community-specific program will be hashed out that would incorporate the desires of the citizens and give lawmakers greater insight as to how smaller communities react to such energy credit programs. Community insight will also be able to help establish an appropriate time period for this incentive regime.

Feasibility

Environmental

^[i.n.] Per unit area, solar panels can offset more carbon emission than a tree. This is the justification most solar developers use to clear-cut a wooded area to replace it with panels. However, if Boston were to adopt a greater solar incentive program, panels would be used on rooftops, bridges, and as parking overhangs. Since such a large portion of Boston is covered with impermeable surfaces, panels would not be displacing any carbon sequestering organisms and would also deplete the solar radiation that is constantly being absorbed by the dark roofs and streets of Boston.

Social

There are many links associated with air pollution and mental health. NaturalNews outlines this issue by stating that "While previous studies have linked urban air pollution to type 2 diabetes and increased blood sugar levels in pregnant women, among other ailments, new research suggests that poor air quality might also be responsible for reducing children's IQs, affecting their ability to learn and access information". By allowing residents to stop contributing to the pollution of their own air, Boston will be promoting greater mental health that disproportionately affects those living in poorer communities who bear the brunt of this pollution. The other health affects associated with air pollution would also start to be remediated by the reduction in energy demand from the grid.

Economic

By allowing individual households to produce their own energy and sell the remainder back to the grid, Boston could help to decentralize wealth and help those living in poverty to overcome their current financial problems. Adopting solar will also prove beneficial to those in the large rental market of Boston. As landlords compete for tenants, a large group will be drawn to apartments and offices that can boast a renewable energy connection. These landlords may also be able to pass along a portion of there electric savings to their tenants.

Conclusion

Boston is among the worlds most educated and diverse cities. Logic would indicate that such a city should have an energy policy that reflects its communities. I propose that a 25% tax credit be issued to Bostonians who adopt rooftop solar energy generation. This credit, partnered with other government incentives will allow a wider range of society to save money, reduce pollution, and increase awareness through solar.

References

Wilson, J. (2015, May 31). Why cities make people stupid: Air pollution significantly reduces children's IQ, study finds . Natural News. Retrieved from http://www.naturalnews.com/049903_air_pollution_city_life_intelligence.html

Israel, B. (2012, November 16). Coal plants smothering communities of color, report finds . The Daily Climate . Retrieved from http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2012/11/coal-power-injustice