Commercial Solar Information Hub
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
FAQ about solar products for consumers in Massachusetts
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
For Communities: Planning for Solar
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
Renewable Energy 101 from National Geographic
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
Explanation of how solar panels work from EnergySage
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
“This Old House” Explanation of Electrical Service Upgrade (Part 1)
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
EnergySage Solar Videos
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
Cost of Solar Panels in MA
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
MA Information for Consumers about the Electric Industry
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
What is Virtual Net Metering?
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
Taking On Climate Change At Home
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Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
Solar Electricity for Landlords and Tenants
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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.
Solar Electricity
Solar Electricity
Use the power of the sun to generate electricity and reduce or eliminate your electricity bills.
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
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
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
SOLAR ELECTRICITY
Go all-electric
Power an air-source heat pump with solar and save even more!
Make your home more resilient
Pair your solar system with battery storage
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.
Suggested For You
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.
