Leaders ask Gov. Healey to install 1 million solar roofs

During her gubernatorial campaign, Maura Healey expressed support for installing 10 gigawatts of solar – the equivalent of 1 million solar roofs – by 2030. Now, over a year into her tenure, leaders from across the Commonwealth are asking Gov. Healey to affirm her commitment and work to accelerate the growth of solar energy. 

The letter, signed by 20 environmental, health, and business leaders, as well as local elected officials across the Commonwealth, urges Governor Healey and Climate Chief Hoffer to make solar energy a key part of Massachusetts’ strategy to address climate change. 

Solar energy generation in Massachusetts grew 9 times in the last decade. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, at the end of 2023, Massachusetts had installed just over 5 GW of installed solar capacity: we just need to double that by 2030 to cover a million roofs.

“Solar power is clean, local, and abundant and is already playing a leading role in Massachusetts’ transition away from dirty energy sources,” said Johanna Neumann, Acting Director of Environment Massachusetts. “Gov. Healey’s leadership in setting an ambitious yet achievable goal of 1 million solar roofs by 2030 will help turbocharge solar in Massachusetts.” 

The letter calls for eliminating unnecessary roadblocks to solar development, ensuring fair compensation for solar generation, and expanding access to solar energy for all Massachusetts residents. Additionally, it calls for incentivizing solar installations on built land, such as parking lots, brownfields, and rooftops.