Commercial Solar Information Hub

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We’re In This Together

Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.

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FAQ about solar products for consumers in Massachusetts

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For Communities: Planning for Solar

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Renewable Energy 101 from National Geographic

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Explanation of how solar panels work from EnergySage

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“This Old House” Explanation of Electrical Service Upgrade (Part 1)

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EnergySage Solar Videos

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Cost of Solar Panels in MA

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MA Information for Consumers about the Electric Industry

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What is Virtual Net Metering?

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Taking On Climate Change At Home

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Solar Electricity for Landlords and Tenants

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Solar Electricity

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Quick Links

Benefits of Solar Electricity

How Solar Electricity Works

Incentives and Financing

Solar Electricity Articles




Benefits of solar electricity

Solar electric systems can help reduce your electricity costs while powering your home with clean electricity.




Lower greenhouse gas emissions

Protect the climate by generating your own clean electricity



Save on electricity bills

Save hundreds to thousands of dollars a year by generating your home’s electricity



Energy price stability

Electricity generated by your system has a stable cost over time and is not subject to rising fuel costs or fluctuations in utility rates



Ongoing revenue

Depending on your utility, additional upfront incentives or ongoing credits can provide additional revenue

The Technology


How It Works



Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity to power your home.





Solar electricity is ideal for:

Homes with available roof or ground space | Good sun exposure



Learn More

Video


How Solar Panels Work

EnergySage | 1 min

Solar panels are made of silicon. When sunlight hits a solar panel, electrons in the silicon begin to move, initiating a flow of electricity.

Incentives and Financing



Mass Department
of Energy
Resources (DOER)

Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART): SMART is the primary incentive program for solar electric projects at properties serviced by National Grid, Eversource and Unitil.



Municipal Light Plant

If you live in a town served by a Municipal Light Plant (MLP) check your MLP’s website for incentives and rebates.



Mass State Tax Credits 

Most residential solar electric systems qualify for a state personal income tax credit for 15% of the total cost of the solar electric system, with a maximum of $1,000.



Federal Tax Credits

Most residential solar electric systems qualify for the Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit of 30% of total system costs. 

Example Cost for a 2,000 FT2 Home

Cost after incentives is estimated by subtracting Mass State Tax Credit and Federal Tax Credit from up-front cost.
Cost after incentives may be substantially lower if your household qualifies for income-scaled State and Federal rebates.

Example up-front cost before incentives


$25,000

Example cost after
incentives


$17,000

Learn more about incentives and explore financing options



Learn More

Things to Consider



If you answer yes to ANY of these questions, then solar electricity is a good fit for your home


By generating your own electricity, you can drastically reduce or eliminate your electric bill. In months when your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, you can even receive a credit from your utility!

Solar electricity requires good sun exposure for at least 6 hours a day and plenty of roof or yard space for panels.

By installing solar panels, you can ensure that your home is utilizing locally produced clean energy.

Many of the same conditions that make a single-family home a good candidate for solar apply to multi-family buildings. Condo owners will likely need to get approval from their condo association before installing a system.

Depending on your utility, additional upfront incentives based on the size of your system or ongoing credits based on the amount of clean energy generated by your system can provide additional revenue.

Contact installers to understand how a solar electric system could work for you



Find An Installer

Tips for finding and selecting a solar installer



Learn More

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
SOLAR ELECTRICITY





View full collection of Resources >>

Go all-electric

Power an air-source heat pump with solar and save even more!



Learn More

Make your home more resilient

Pair your solar system with battery storage



Learn More