Massachusetts SD 1532: An Act increasing solar rooftop energy

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1532        FILED ON: 1/18/2019 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1957 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_________________ 
PRESENTED BY: 
James B. Eldridge 
_________________ 
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General 
 Court assembled: 
 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: 
An Act increasing solar rooftop energy. 
_______________ 
PETITION OF: 
 
NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:  
James B. Eldridge Middlesex and Worcester  
Jack Patrick Lewis 7th Middlesex 1/22/2019 
Carmine Lawrence Gentile 13th Middlesex 1/22/2019 
Jason M. Lewis Fifth Middlesex 1/23/2019 
Mike Connolly 26th Middlesex 1/28/2019 
Rebecca L. Rausch Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex 1/30/2019 
Mary S. Keefe 15th Worcester 1/31/2019 
Jennifer E. Benson 37th Middlesex 1/31/2019 
Denise Provost 27th Middlesex 1/31/2019 
Kay Khan 11th Middlesex 2/1/2019 
Daniel M. Donahue 16th Worcester 2/1/2019 
Marc R. Pacheco First Plymouth and Bristol 2/1/2019 
Maria Duaime Robinson 6th Middlesex 2/1/2019 
James K. Hawkins 2nd Bristol 2/7/2019 

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1532        FILED ON: 1/18/2019 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1957 
By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1957) of James B. Eldridge, Jack 
Patrick Lewis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General 
Court for legislation to increase solar rooftop energy.  Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
_______________
 
In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court 
(2019-2020) 
_______________
 
 
An Act increasing solar rooftop energy. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows: 
 
1 SECTION 1.  The General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, are hereby 
2amended by inserting after chapter 143 the following chapter:- 
3 CHAPTER 143A. SOLAR HOMES AND BUSINESSES. 
4 Section 1. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings 
5unless the context clearly requires otherwise:- 
6 “Board”, state board of building regulations and standards. 
7 “Department”, department of public safety. 
8 “Developer”, any person or company that constructs residential or commercial buildings. 
9 “Effective solar area”, the portion of a building roof on which the output from a solar 
10energy system, taking into account shading from existing permanent natural or manmade barriers 

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11external to the building (including but not limited to trees, hills, and adjacent structures), would 
12be equivalent to 70 percent or greater of the output of an unshaded solar energy system on an 
13annual basis. 
14 “Large commercial building”, a commercial building of 10,000 or more square feet. 
15 “Multi-family dwelling”, a building intended to be inhabited as a primary or secondary 
16residence by multiple individuals or groups of individuals living in separate apartments. 
17 “New construction”, any newly constructed residential or commercial building that 
18requires a building permit to proceed. 
19 “Single-family dwelling”, a building intended to be inhabited as a primary or secondary 
20residence by one individual or group of individuals. 
21 “Solar energy system”, any system that uses solar energy to provide all or a portion of the 
22electrical needs of a residential or commercial building. 
23 “Solar hot water heater”, any system that uses solar energy to heat water for use in a 
24residential or commercial building. 
25 “Substitute renewable energy system”, any system that uses renewable energy resources 
26other than solar energy to provide for all or a portion of the electrical needs of a residential or 
27commercial building; provided, that a renewable energy system shall use a technology eligible 
28for the renewable portfolio standard under subsection (c) of section 11F of chapter 25A of the 
29General Laws 
30 Section 2. (a) All new construction shall be built to accommodate the installation of a 
31solar energy system. The board shall promulgate regulations within 1 year from the passage of 

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32this act to amend the state building code to establish minimum standards that must be met for 
33new construction to accommodate a solar energy system. 
34 (b) In drafting the regulations, the board shall take into account existing building code 
35requirements and compliance costs. The board shall also consult with scientists, engineers, and 
36professional societies with relevant expertise in solar energy systems and building construction. 
37 (c) At a minimum, the board shall include requirements for: (1) static load roof strength, 
38with a requirement that roofing where solar equipment could be placed be capable of supporting 
39a minimum of 6 pounds per square foot; (2) placement of