WattBuy’s Guide to

Solar Energy in
Massachusetts

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The State of Solar in Massachusetts

Here are a few numbers showing how popular solar energy is in Massachusetts and how much solar energy potential there is on average.

15,368

Houses with solar panels

(circa 2019)*

820 kWh

Average monthly energy use per household

7 kW

Average system size

648 kWh

Energy generated by average sized system

How much does solar cost in Massachusetts?

Average solar panel installation

$23,105

Federal Incentives

$6,931

Total

$16,174

Average monthly bill without solar

$230

Average monthly bill with solar

$48

Solar will pay for itself in

6 years
Tax Credits Available

Free money (kind of)

The Inflation Reduction Act has made it easier and more affordable than ever to go solar, thanks to a 30% federal tax credit. This means that for every $10,000 you spend on solar panels, you can deduct $3,000 from your federal taxes.

LEARN MORE
Net Metering Available

Get paid for the extra solar you produce

Net metering policies in Massachusetts can help solar panel owners save money and reduce their carbon footprint. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, you can send the excess back to the grid and receive credit on your next bill. Just something to keep in mind when considering solar panels.

Solar Incentives in Massachusetts

Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax CreditSee Details
Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax ExemptionSee Details
Renewable Energy Property Tax ExemptionSee Details
Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Patent Income Tax Deduction (Personal)
Holyoke Gas & Electric - Residential Energy Conservation Loan ProgramSee Details
Concord Municipal Light Plant - Solar Photovoltaic Rebate ProgramSee Details
Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant - Residential PV Rebate ProgramSee Details
Local Option - Energy Revolving Loan Fund
Reading Municipal Light Department - Residential and Small Commercial Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Hudson Light & Power - Photovoltaic Incentive ProgramSee Details
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) ProgramSee Details
Residential and Small Commercial Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Town of Ipswich Electric Light Department Solar PV Rebate ProgramSee Details

The Solar Process

Getting solar panels may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you can expect.

1

Understand your energy needs

Take a closer look at your energy usage to determine how much solar power you'll require.

2

Get quotes and choose an installer

Reach out to multiple solar companies to gather quotes and select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

3

Design the system

Work with your chosen installer to design a solar system customized to your specific requirements and goals.

4

Obtain the necessary permit

Take care of the paperwork and permits required by local authorities before installing your solar panels.

This takes 8 days on average.

5

Install solar panels

Let the professionals handle the installation of your solar panels and related equipment.

This takes 17 days on average.

6

Inspection time

Have your newly installed solar system inspected to ensure it meets safety and quality standards.

This takes 15 days on average.

7

Lights on!

Connect your solar system to the electrical grid and start generating clean, renewable energy for your home or business.

This takes 8 days on average.

Solar Installers in Massachusetts

Bright Planet Solar

www.brightplanetsolar.com

Coverage

CA, CT, IL, MA, NH, NJ, RI, UT

Sunrun

sunrun.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, PA, PR, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WI

Freedom Forever

freedomforever.com

Coverage

AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI

Trinity Solar

www.trinity-solar.com/locations-licenses

Coverage

CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI

Vision Solar

visionsolar.com

Coverage

AZ, CT, FL, MA, NJ, TX

SunBug Solar

sunbugsolar.com/for-homeowners

Coverage

MA

ACE Solar

myacesolar.com

Coverage

MA

Palmetto Solar

palmetto.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA

ReVision Energy

www.revisionenergy.com

Coverage

MA, ME, NH, VT

My Generation Energy

www.mygenerationenergy.com

Coverage

MA

Insight Solar

www.getinsightsolar.com

Coverage

MA

Momentum Solar

www.momentumsolar.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, MA, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TX

Boston Solar

www.bostonsolar.us

Coverage

MA

Brightstar Solar

brightstarsolar.net

Coverage

MA

Tesla

tesla.com

Coverage

Nationwide

All Energy Solar

www.allenergysolar.com/solar-install/residential

Coverage

IA, IL, MA, MN, NH, WI

Solaris Renewables

solarisrenewables.com

Coverage

MA

Mass Renewables

www.massrenewables.net

Coverage

MA

Learn About Solar in These Massachusetts Cities

AbingtonAcushnetAgawamAmherstAndoverArlingtonAshlandAttleboroAuburnAvonBarnstableBedfordBelchertownBellinghamBelmontBerkleyBeverlyBillericaBlackstoneBostonBoxfordBoylstonBraintreeBrocktonBrooklineBurlingtonCambridgeCantonCarlisleCharltonChelmsfordChelseaChicopeeCohassetDanversDartmouthDedhamDightonDouglasDoverDracutDudleyDunstableEast BridgewaterEast BrookfieldEast LongmeadowEasthamptonEastonEverettFairhavenFall RiverFitchburgFoxboroughFraminghamFranklinFreetownGeorgetownGraftonGranbyGrotonGrovelandHadleyHamiltonHampdenHanoverHanscom Air Force BaseHansonHaverhillHinghamHolbrookHoldenHollistonHolyokeHopedaleHopkintonLakevilleLanesboroughLawrenceLeeLeicesterLenoxLeominsterLexingtonLincolnLongmeadowLowellLudlowLunenburgLynnLynnfieldMaldenMansfieldMarbleheadMattapoisettMedfieldMedfordMedwayMelroseMendonMethuenMiddleboroughMiddletonMilfordMillburyMillisMillvilleMiltonMontgomeryNahantNatickNeedhamNew BedfordNewtonNorfolkNorth AndoverNorth AttleboroughNorth BrookfieldNorth ReadingNorthbridgeNortonNorwellNorwoodOakhamOxfordPaxtonPeabodyPelhamPepperellPittsfieldPlainvillePrincetonQuincyRandolphRaynhamReadingRehobothRevereRichmondRochesterRocklandRutlandSalemSaugusScituateSeekonkSharonSherbornShrewsburySomersetSomervilleSouth HadleySouthamptonSouthboroughSouthwickSpencerSpringfieldSterlingStockbridgeStonehamStoughtonSturbridgeSuttonSwampscottSwanseaTauntonTewksburyTopsfieldTyngsboroughUptonUxbridgeWakefieldWalpoleWalthamWatertownWaylandWebsterWellesleyWenhamWest BoylstonWest BridgewaterWest NewburyWest SpringfieldWestboroughWestfieldWestfordWesthamptonWestminsterWestonWestportWestwoodWeymouthWhitmanWilbrahamWilmingtonWinchesterWinthropWoburnWorcesterWrenthamYarmouth

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*Source: Project Sunroof