An ideal net metering program, ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and high electricity bills have led to a rapid growth of the solar sector in Massachusetts — the state ranks 11th in the nation for installed solar capacity.
Our picks for the best solar companies in the Bay State include Momentum Solar, Palmetto and Venture Solar. We at the MarketWatch Guides team have researched and reviewed top installers in Massachusetts, focusing on cost and financing options, available services and equipment, and local customer reviews.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Compare Massachusetts Solar Companies
According to our survey of 2,000 homeowners with installed solar nationwide, a solar system costs between $15,000 to $20,000. Solar system costs in Massachusetts are more expensive than this average — the state’s cost per watt is around $4.50, which means a 6 kilowatt (kW) system would cost close to $27,000.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Top 5 Solar Companies in Massachusetts of 2024
After conducting detailed surveys and analyses, we shortlisted the below as Massachusetts’ top solar companies:
- Momentum: Best for solar system customization
- Venture: Best for simple installation
- Palmetto Solar: Best for protection plans
- Boston Solar: Best for production guarantee
- Sunrun: Best for leasing options
We came up with the above list after sorting through extensive data we obtained in our national surveys of 2,000 total homeowners with solar panels, including Massachusetts residents. We also conducted detailed discussions with national and local industry experts and installation companies. Lastly, we used our elaborate provider review methodology to rate each of our top installers in Massachusetts.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Momentum Solar
Best for easy integration
Venture
Best for aesthetic panels
Palmetto Solar
Best for protection plans
Boston Solar
Best for production guarantee
Sunrun Solar
Best for leasing options
What To Look For in a Solar Company
Installing solar is not a short nor simple process — it involves multiple steps until the system is installed and ready to power your home. The most important step, however, is the selection of a solar installer. Here are a few factors that can help Massachusetts homeowners choose a solar company that best suits their needs.
- Cost and financing: The cost of solar panels can be a decisive factor when selecting a solar installer. In Massachusetts, where the average cost of a system is as high as $4.50 per watt, choosing a reasonably-priced company is essential to ensure maximum savings and a short payback period. Homeowners looking to avoid a large, upfront expense can explore installers that offer flexible payment options, such as loans, leases or PPAs.
- Equipment quality and warranties: The cost of electricity in Massachusetts is nearly twice the national average. This means that every kilowatt-hour of energy generated by solar power can save homeowners about twice the amount of money compared to grid usage. However, subpar solar equipment can lead to lower performance, meaning homeowners would still spend considerable money on energy bills. In other words, solar power only makes financial sense in Massachusetts if you choose installers that offer high-quality equipment with solid warranties.
- Company reputation: When it comes to spending thousands of dollars on a solar system, the trustworthiness of a company becomes another important factor to consider. In Massachusetts, multiple homeowners have faced trouble in dealing with unreliable companies such as Vision Solar or Solar Wolf Energy, which have been flagged for deceitful sales or gone bankrupt. As such, it is wise to check the trustworthiness and reputation of a solar company before signing a contract.
- Available services: The state of Massachusetts is not only popular for solar power. A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranks the state fourth in the nation for EVs and related charging policies. Besides this, Massachusetts homeowners can save money with other energy efficiency services, like home insulation or HVAC upgrades. When looking for solar companies, explore installers that offer other services you may need.
Benefits of Going Solar in Massachusetts
There are multiple benefits to going solar in Massachusetts, namely energy bill savings and helping to reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
- Offset high energy costs: The average monthly energy bill in Massachusetts is $136.37, higher than the national average. Going solar can drastically reduce or even eliminate your energy bill, saving you money in the long run.
- Reduce your carbon footprint: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory reported that, for every 1,000 kWh generated by your solar panels, you save 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. If your household consumed the U.S. average of 830 kWh of energy each month, you’d be saving up to 17,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually with solar panels.
- Take advantage of incentives: Massachusetts offers excellent solar incentives that significantly lower the cost of installing solar panels, including the 30% federal solar tax credit, a 15% state tax credit, net metering, and a sales and property tax exemption. Anyone who installs solar panels in Massachusetts can take advantage of these incentives.
Common Concerns About Going Solar in New England
The most common concern homeowners in New England have when going solar is whether a solar system is well-suited for the cold, cloudy and snowy winter climate. However, photovoltaic panels (PV) operate using light, not heat.
Even on the coldest days, as long as there is some daylight, solar panels in New England can generate energy. This energy generation may not be as high as in more sunny states, but when you consider the long lifespan of solar panels, a New England solar array will result in significant energy bill savings.
Solar Trends in Massachusetts
Solar power has seen tremendous growth in Massachusetts in just over a decade. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar energy was virtually non-existent in Massachusetts until 2008 — but by 2021-22, almost a fifth of the state’s net generation came from solar. Massachusetts now ranks 11th in the nation for installed solar capacity, up from 16th in 2022. In other words, enough solar is installed in Massachusetts to power over 760,000 homes.
The future of solar in the state also looks bright. A report by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) puts the total solar power potential of Massachusetts at 506 gigawatts (GW), with 152 GW in locations marked as “highly suitable” for solar. This total number is 15 to 18 times the capacity needed to meet the state’s renewable energy goals.
Massachusetts Solar Incentives
Despite Massachusetts’ annual weather conditions — which can include upwards of 140 days of clouds and precipitation — the state sees over 2,600 hours of sunshine each year. Coupled with federal and state solar incentives, installing a solar system can help offset high electricity costs of 19.06 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Learn how available incentives can offset your solar system cost and lead to more electric bill savings in the Bay State.
Federal Incentives
The federal solar tax credit, also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is the biggest solar incentive in the U.S. It allows homeowners to deduct a percentage of the cost of their solar power system from their federal income tax burden. Currently, owners of systems installed between August 2022 and 2032 can claim the tax credit for 30% of their total system cost.
All Massachusetts residents are eligible for the federal tax credit. But keep in mind that the tax credit is not a refund or rebate. You can claim the credit once for the year you install solar and if the tax amount you owe is less than your credit, you can roll over any remaining amount for up to five years.
State-Wide Incentives
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranks Massachusetts as the 11th best state to go solar. With aggressive renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and favorable solar incentive programs, Massachusetts has driven the solar adoption rates in the state — over 19% of its energy comes from solar power.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART):
- Tax Exemptions: MA residents installing solar on their property enjoy a 100% tax exemption on their sales tax and property tax payments.
| Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Net metering | Savings vary | When your solar panels produce excess energy, net metering allows you to send it back to the grid in exchange for energy bill credits. In Massachusetts, energy credits are nearly equal to the retail rate of electricity. |
| Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit | State tax credit worth 15% of your total solar system, up to $1,000 | Massachusetts offers a 15% solar tax credit, similar to the federal ITC. Homeowners who claim the credit can deduct up to $1,000 from their state taxes. |
| Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) | One-time rebate | Qualifying customers of Eversource, National Grid and Until can receive a fixed rebate rate of 19 cents to 31 cents for every kilowatt-hour of energy their solar panels produce. |
| Sales tax exemption | 6.25% off total solar system costs | Massachusetts offers a sales tax exemption of 6.25% off all solar and renewable energy equipment. |
| Property tax exemption | 100% of property tax increases from installing solar | Residential customers in Massachusetts do not have to pay increased property taxes if a solar power system increases their property value. |
Local Incentives
Some Massachusetts residents can also benefit from local incentives, such as:
- National Grid ConnectedSolutions Battery Program: Customers of National Grid who install a battery storage system with an approved inverter can get an incentive of $275 per kilowatt of power supplied into the grid. National Grid serves customers in several major areas of Massachusetts, such as Brockton, Worcester, Northborough and Northern Adams.
- Municipal Light Plant Rebates: Many Massachusetts utilities offer customers solar rebates. Here is a list of Municipal Light Departments currently offering solar rebates:
- Braintree Electric Light Department: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $15,000
- Georgetown Municipal Light Department: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $6,000
- Middleborough Gas and Electric Department: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $15,000
- Norwood Municipal Light Department: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $30,000
- Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $6,000
- Concord Municipal Light Plant: One-time rebate of $625 per kW of installed solar capacity, up to $3,125 per service address
- Reading Municipal Light Department: One-time rebate of $1,200 per kW of installed capacity, up to $24,000
- Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $6,000
- Hudson Light and Power solar rebate: One-time rebate of $1.20 per watt, up to $7,500
- Ipswich Municipal Light Department: One-time rebate of 30 cents per watt, up to $3,000
- Littleton Electric Light and Water Department: One-time rebate of 30 cents per watt with a maximum rebate equivalent to 50% of the system cost
- North Attleborough Electric Department: One-time rebate of 60 cents per watt, up to $3,000
- Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations: One-time rebate of 10 cents per watt, up to $1,000
- Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant: One-time rebate of $1.50 per watt on solar panels of up to $4,500, and a one-time rebate on solar batteries of up to $300
- Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department: One-time rebate of $1.20 per watt with a maximum rebate equivalent to 50% of the system cost
You may also qualify for local incentives based on the town or city in which you live. We suggest you check with your local government or utility company to learn more.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts’s cloudy, rainy climate, combined with the relatively high cost of solar panels, may discourage homeowners from switching to solar. However, we still think solar panels are a worthwhile investment for residents.
At just over 28 cents per kilowatt-hour, the average cost of electricity in Massachusetts is higher than in many states. Solar panel systems in Massachusetts generate less power than those in sunnier states, but can still save homeowners money on energy bills by offsetting high electricity prices. You can also use solar power to lower your home’s carbon footprint, and if you install a battery, combat power outages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Companies in Massachusetts
The cost of a solar power system in Massachusetts varies based on the size and complexity of the system, your installer and the equipment. Based on our research, the state’s price per watt is around $4.50, which means a 6 kW system would cost close to $27,000.
However, installation costs may vary depending on where you live. For example, Boston may have higher rates than Worcester, North Andover or Woburn.
Massachusetts has an ideal net metering program, offering energy credits at almost the same retail rate as energy from the grid. If you utilize this program, solar batteries are not essential. But if you are looking to add resilience to your home by protecting against power outages, a solar battery can be a worthwhile investment. Plus, storing excess energy production can provide clean energy during suboptimal conditions, like at night or on cloudy days.
Massachusetts does not have a program that offers free solar panels. While several utility companies in Massachusetts offer one-time rebates for installing solar power systems, no governing authority in the state pays for the purchase of solar panels.
Although Massachusetts does not offer free solar panels to residents, homeowners wanting to avoid a large upfront payment can explore other financing methods such as solar loans, leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
