Federal ITC 30% (tax credit)
State tax credit: Yes ($1,000)
Net metering (by utility)
There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Massachusetts legislators have made the state one of the best places in the country to install home solar panels. Because of all the great solar incentives here, you can expect a solar payback in as little as 6 years. That rate of return significantly outpaces other investments relative to the low level of risk associated with the sun rising every morning.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Massachusetts homeowners
See what Massachusetts solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Massachusetts solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Massachusetts
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus. Massachusetts has recently reaffirmed its commitment to net metering for residential solar systems, so you can rest easier knowing the state has your back.
For Massachusetts residents under Class I residential net metering rules for solar, any extra energy your panels produce is credited to your bill and carried over indefinitely.
Net metering in Massachusetts is a huge boon for you as a solar owner, especially with electricity prices reaching over $0.30 per kilowatt-hour in Boston.
Massachusetts used to have a nice, simple statewide rebate program called "The Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program". Sadly, the program has now closed, because it was so effective that funding ran out. Luckily, some local municipal utilities have stepped in to take the place. Unfortunately, these small companies serve only a fraction of the state's population.
Massachusetts has devised an ingenious progressive solar incentive system that favors low-income, small-scale and community solar energy projects. It’s called the SMART program. At the program’s core is a formula that includes a base compensation rate that decreases as your system gets larger.
For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy you produce with your solar panel system as long as it’s 25 kW or less (that’s about an 80 panel installation, way more than enough electricity for a very large household’s needs), you get paid a 230% multiple of the base compensation rate. Special compensation rate adders are available for community shared solar projects, low-income properties, and/or both!
The SMART Program requires the 3 main Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs)—Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil—to make incentive payments directly to homeowners who install solar systems within their territory. The incentive is calculated based on a "block" system, where each block represents about 200 MW of solar energy generation capacity.
Each time a block is filled (i.e. 200 MW of solar are installed), the incentive amount decreases slightly. So people who install systems in the earlier blocks get higher incentive payments than those who wait to install later.
At the current level (2021), people who install solar on their homes are eligible for a net incentive payment of about $.08/kWh for 10 years. Considering the average Massachusetts home solar system generates around 7,900 kWh per year, that's over $630 in incentive payments per year.
Low income households enrolled in the program can expect an additional incentive of between 3 to 5 cents per kWh. That increases average SMART incentive payments to near $950 every year.
The definition of low income for the program is decided by each individual utility, but in general those with a maximum income 80% below the state’s median income will likely meet such requirements, though this is not guaranteed.
Learn more: Read our post about the SMART Solar Program here.
Massachusetts offers a 15% tax credit off the net costs of your solar system, but only up to a maximum of $1,000 (net costs, meaning cost minus the federal 30% tax credit).
Basically, for most systems, count on $1,000 off next year's state income tax bill, on top of the big savings from the Feds.
When the Massachusetts property tax man or woman cometh to assess your new solar home, they can’t assess you another dime for 20 years -- despite the fact that you’ll be adding roughly 20 times your annual electricity bill savings to your property value. In an example 5kW solar system, that adds up to about $19,890 (20 times your annual electricity savings of $995).
In addition to the property tax exemption, you don’t pay sales tax on your system either, so the installed price is the installed price.
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 8.5kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
75 solar companies in Massachusetts provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.92 154 Reviews
Darcy , 19 hours ago
Everyone with who I have dealt with has been very friendly as well as great communication especially on how the solar works. I would highly recommend them. And also recommend to do your home work on all the other companies who don't even hold there own electrical license. This company has gone above and beyond to take care of me. Thank you lunex
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Darcy , 19 hours ago
Everyone with who I have dealt with has been very friendly as well as great communication especially on how the solar works. I would highly recommend them. And also recommend to do your home work on all the other companies who don't even hold there own electrical license. This company has gone above and beyond to take care of me. Thank you lunex
4.91 125 Reviews
Michael McDonald, 1 week ago
Sunergy made it super smooth and easy to get solar. We had need of a large system to sustain a lot of computing, EV usage, and heatpump, so ended up drafting out a 12.75kW array. Their representative John Parlator kept in close contact through the whole process, from design to aftersale support, making sure that all of our needs are met. Very happy to have chosen Sunergy.
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Michael McDonald, 1 week ago
Sunergy made it super smooth and easy to get solar. We had need of a large system to sustain a lot of computing, EV usage, and heatpump, so ended up drafting out a 12.75kW array. Their representative John Parlator kept in close contact through the whole process, from design to aftersale support, making sure that all of our needs are met. Very happy to have chosen Sunergy.
4.87 515 Reviews
Bennett, 1 week ago
The team that installed our panels were great people. Helpful, competent, and with good senses of humor. Yea. AES for their employees!
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Bennett, 1 week ago
The team that installed our panels were great people. Helpful, competent, and with good senses of humor. Yea. AES for their employees!
4.86 165 Reviews
James, over 1 month
From start to finish we had a great experience working with Mass Renewables. The salesperson, Diane, was incredibly helpful, informative, and very pleasant to work with. The system was competitively priced. The installation team was professional, efficient, and on time. They took the time to ask questions and get our input whenever it was required. The leadership was hands-on and involved. Mass Renewables provided us "big company" expertise with a hands-on, small company demeanor. We love the look of our panels, and the system is generating exactly what Mass Renewables predicted. Highly recommend.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$20,000 ($4.00 per watt)
James, over 1 month
From start to finish we had a great experience working with Mass Renewables. The salesperson, Diane, was incredibly helpful, informative, and very pleasant to work with. The system was competitively priced. The installation team was professional, efficient, and on time. They took the time to ask questions and get our input whenever it was required. The leadership was hands-on and involved. Mass Renewables provided us "big company" expertise with a hands-on, small company demeanor. We love the look of our panels, and the system is generating exactly what Mass Renewables predicted. Highly recommend.
4.83 75 Reviews
Robert J, 4 weeks ago
Recently completed a large solar panel installation on my home. I'm very happy with the product that Earthlight proposed, installed and continues to maintain. Firstly, during the design and installation phase they were efficient and timely with the install. Secondly, during the first few months of operation and ironing out any bugs, Earthlight monitored my panels, and noticing any items not working properly they called me, scheduled a visit, came in and made the repairs proactively. Given the upfront cost of solar panels, it is reassuring to know that Earthlight takes their product warranty and reputation seriously.
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Robert J, 4 weeks ago
Recently completed a large solar panel installation on my home. I'm very happy with the product that Earthlight proposed, installed and continues to maintain. Firstly, during the design and installation phase they were efficient and timely with the install. Secondly, during the first few months of operation and ironing out any bugs, Earthlight monitored my panels, and noticing any items not working properly they called me, scheduled a visit, came in and made the repairs proactively. Given the upfront cost of solar panels, it is reassuring to know that Earthlight takes their product warranty and reputation seriously.
4.83 74 Reviews
Larry M., over 1 month
We had three companies bid on our ground mounted solar array project. NEC had the best quality panels and inverters as well as the most detailed 3D imaging of our site to ensure our future production. The project was completed on time and as quoted. It was a truly turnkey experience with almost no need for our involvement except for deciding the final height above the ground. NEC took care of all of the permitting with our town and contacted Eversource for the right to apply for net metering. We were constantly informed of the progress of each permit. The mounting frame took one and half days to erect despite encountering ledge on all seven mounting points. This required the use of a rock drill. Great care was taken to prevent damage to my lawn while transporting the drill to the site. The remainder of the array, trenching and wiring was completed in four days. After the trench and wiring was inspected the soil was replaced with great care. The array is now operational, and we are pleased to see we now exporting energy to the grid as well as covering the needs of our home. We are very happy we chose NEC as our installer. The project manager, Nick and his crew were a pleasure to work with and they were very respectful of our property. Thank you, NEC!
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Larry M., over 1 month
We had three companies bid on our ground mounted solar array project. NEC had the best quality panels and inverters as well as the most detailed 3D imaging of our site to ensure our future production. The project was completed on time and as quoted. It was a truly turnkey experience with almost no need for our involvement except for deciding the final height above the ground. NEC took care of all of the permitting with our town and contacted Eversource for the right to apply for net metering. We were constantly informed of the progress of each permit. The mounting frame took one and half days to erect despite encountering ledge on all seven mounting points. This required the use of a rock drill. Great care was taken to prevent damage to my lawn while transporting the drill to the site. The remainder of the array, trenching and wiring was completed in four days. After the trench and wiring was inspected the soil was replaced with great care. The array is now operational, and we are pleased to see we now exporting energy to the grid as well as covering the needs of our home. We are very happy we chose NEC as our installer. The project manager, Nick and his crew were a pleasure to work with and they were very respectful of our property. Thank you, NEC!
4.80 319 Reviews
Andrew, 3 weeks ago
The process of getting the 26 panel system installed was super easy. New England answered all of my question and explained the whole process very well. All the guys that did the installation were friendly and courteous. The electrical work was very neatly done and looks professional. I would recommend this company over any of the other solar companies out there. Now I just have to have the electric company come and switch my meter. At that point I can watch the dial go backwards on a nice sunny day.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$21,450 ($4.29 per watt)
Andrew, 3 weeks ago
The process of getting the 26 panel system installed was super easy. New England answered all of my question and explained the whole process very well. All the guys that did the installation were friendly and courteous. The electrical work was very neatly done and looks professional. I would recommend this company over any of the other solar companies out there. Now I just have to have the electric company come and switch my meter. At that point I can watch the dial go backwards on a nice sunny day.
4.79 218 Reviews
Judy, over 1 month
Overall, we are happy with the service as so far there isn’t any issues yet since we just started last year. I do want to give a big shoutout to Rachel, who always goes above and beyond! Even my inquiries aren’t in the area she handles, she always tries to find an answer and gives us the update.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$20,050 ($4.01 per watt)
Judy, over 1 month
Overall, we are happy with the service as so far there isn’t any issues yet since we just started last year. I do want to give a big shoutout to Rachel, who always goes above and beyond! Even my inquiries aren’t in the area she handles, she always tries to find an answer and gives us the update.
4.79 81 Reviews
Sam, over 1 month
I have been very satisfied with my experience at SAVKAT Solar. They were easy to work with, knowledgeable, and flexible. We had chosen Sunpower for our solar installation. This was in April 2024 immediately prior to their bankruptcy and restructuring. SAVKAT was assigned as our installer. We reached the point of final inspection on 16JUL24, the same day Sunpower issued a stop work on all solar installations. SAVKAT eventually finished the work without waiting for Sunpower approval to move forward allowing us to begin producing power. I credit this effort entirely to SAVKAT and the Mystic Solar company. Thanks!
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Sam, over 1 month
I have been very satisfied with my experience at SAVKAT Solar. They were easy to work with, knowledgeable, and flexible. We had chosen Sunpower for our solar installation. This was in April 2024 immediately prior to their bankruptcy and restructuring. SAVKAT was assigned as our installer. We reached the point of final inspection on 16JUL24, the same day Sunpower issued a stop work on all solar installations. SAVKAT eventually finished the work without waiting for Sunpower approval to move forward allowing us to begin producing power. I credit this effort entirely to SAVKAT and the Mystic Solar company. Thanks!
4.77 81 Reviews
Janet H., over 1 month
From start to finish this was an exceptional process. It was a throwback to a time when customer service was all about the customer. We were kept informed every step of the way, called if there was a delay for any reason, work was done timely, staff were more than competent and I was completely comfortable having them in and on my home. The work area was always cleaned before they left for the day. It was so refreshing to work with a company that does quality work, with quality products and cares about the client experience from start to finish.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$18,600 ($3.72 per watt)
Janet H., over 1 month
From start to finish this was an exceptional process. It was a throwback to a time when customer service was all about the customer. We were kept informed every step of the way, called if there was a delay for any reason, work was done timely, staff were more than competent and I was completely comfortable having them in and on my home. The work area was always cleaned before they left for the day. It was so refreshing to work with a company that does quality work, with quality products and cares about the client experience from start to finish.
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources: