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MA Solar Energy Program Incentives and Rebates

Massachusetts offers state solar rebates and an SREC market.

Solar power has grown very quickly in Massachusetts, thanks in part to the state's solar incentive programs.

Sunrun files all rebate and incentive paperwork for you when you go solar, and passes along the savings in your low upfront cost. Instead of paying $30,000 for a home solar system in Massachusetts, you can upgrade for as low as $0.

Commonwealth Solar Rebate Programs

Commonwealth Solar II, run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, offers solar rebates to homeowners who install photovoltaic systems. The rebates are available to homeowners in the following utility territories:

• National Grid
• NSTAR Electric
• Western Massachusetts Electric
• Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light (Unitil)

In addition, homeowners in certain municipal utilities are also eligible.

The Massachusetts solar rebate program has been very successful, and the rebates may not be available for much longer. Now is the best time for MA homeowners to look into solar power, in order to take advantage of the existing rebates before they go away.

Massachusetts launched its first solar rebate program, the Commonwealth Solar Rebate Program, in 2007 with a $68 million budget. The entire budget was exhausted within two years, as homeowners started getting solar power for their homes. 

Massachusetts SREC Program

In Massachusetts, homeowners will receive Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, or Credits (SRECs) for generating solar electricity. One megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar electricity generates one SREC. SRECs can be sold or traded on an SREC market.SREC prices can fluctuate and are determined by market availability and the price of the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) for the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). SACP is the price electricity suppliers must pay if they don't meet their renewable energy targets.

Information on Massachusetts' RPS and Solar Carve-Out

In addition to these residential solar incentives, Massachusetts also has a net metering policy that makes it more cost-effective for homeowners to switch to clean energy.