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How Solar and Energy Storage Can Support Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Transition (5.19.26)

Brief

How Solar and Energy Storage Can Support Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Transition (webinar presentation) summarized an Applied Economics Clinic report showing electrification could double state electricity demand by 2050 and that behind‑the‑meter solar plus storage—with program and policy revisions—can meet rising load cleanly and affordably. Panelists presented findings and answered audience questions; Part 2 addresses environmental justice community barriers.

Why it matters

Massachusetts' electrification is projected to roughly double electricity demand by 2050 versus 2020, risking new fossil-fuel generation without intervention.

Key details

  • A report by the Applied Economics Clinic for Clean Energy Group and Vote Solar finds that behind-the-meter solar—and solar paired with storage—can offset those demand increases and make new fossil investments unnecessary if paired with targeted program and policy changes.
  • Webinar (published May 20, 2026) presenters were Todd Olinsky-Paul (Clean Energy Group), Elena Weissmann (Vote Solar), and Tanya Stasio (Applied Economics Clinic); this is Part 1 of a two-part series with Part 2 focused on scaling in environmental justice communities.
Source evidence

Slides: https://www.cleanegroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CEG-Webinar-Electrification-with-Equity-Pt-1-Slides.pdf

To meet its emissions reduction targets and decarbonization goals, Massachusetts – like many states – is working towards the electrification of its building and transportation sectors. While these efforts will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electrification will also increase the region’s electric demand, which is projected to double from 2020 levels by 2050. This, in turn, could lead to a new round of investment in fossil fuel generation.

A report prepared by the Applied Economics Clinic on behalf of Clean Energy Group and Vote Solar makes the case that behind-the-meter solar and solar paired with storage systems are an underutilized but essential key to meeting Massachusetts’ rising electricity demand cleanly, affordably and equitably – and that, with the right program and policy adjustments, clean behind-the-meter resources could offset increases in demand, rendering new fossil fuel investments unnecessary. Read the report here: https://www.cleanegroup.org/publication/electrification-with-equity-part-1

In this webinar, panelists from Clean Energy Group and Vote Solar presented the report and discussed its findings. Panelists to answered questions from the audience after the presentation.

Panelists:

  • Todd Olinsky-Paul, Clean Energy Group
  • Elena Weissmann, Vote Solar
  • Tanya Stasio, Applied Economics Clinic

This webinar is the first in a two-part series. Part 2 focuses on scaling solar and storage in Massachusetts’ environmental justice communities, identifying barriers and recommending revisions to existing programs and policy; read more here: https://www.cleanegroup.org/webinar/solar-and-energy-storage-for-massachusetts-environmental-justice-communities

Channel: Clean Energy Group / Clean Energy States Alliance
Published: 2026-05-20
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-0_5GvXjfQ