Home › Massachusetts Electric Rates › Incentives
Massachusetts · Updated August 2026
How net metering works in Massachusetts
How Massachusetts net metering works alongside the SMART tariff, what your exported power is worth, and how the caps affect residential systems.
SMARTThe production incentive that sits alongside net meteringRanked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The numbers
What Massachusetts actually offers in 2026
| Measure | Current | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Net metering | Available | Caps apply by utility and system class |
| SMART tariff | Per-kWh, 10 years | Paid on production, declining by block |
| MA all-in residential rate | ~30¢ | Among the highest in the country |
| ConnectedSolutions | Battery program | Eversource, National Grid, Cape Light Compact |
Figures as published August 2026. Utility rates change on published schedules — check your own bill for the rate that applies to your account.
Why the number is what it is
Two mechanisms, not one
In most states you get net metering and that is the whole story. Massachusetts layers SMART on top — a per-kilowatt-hour production incentive paid over ten years, on everything the system generates, regardless of whether you consumed it or exported it.
At roughly 30¢ all-in, Massachusetts already has one of the highest retail rates in the country. Adding a production incentive on top is why the state remains one of the stronger solar markets even after the federal residential credit ended.
Caps are the thing to check
Massachusetts net metering operates under caps that vary by utility and by system class. They have been raised repeatedly but they are real, and availability in your service territory is worth confirming before you design a system.
The federal residential credit ended. Here is what that actually means.
The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under Section 25D ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025. If you buy a system with cash or a loan in 2026, you cannot claim it. Any site still advertising "30% federal tax credit" for a homeowner purchase is running outdated information.
What remains is Section 48E, the commercial investment credit. It applies to third-party-owned systems — leases and power purchase agreements — where the system owner claims it rather than the homeowner. That is precisely what makes $0-down possible: the credit stays with whoever owns the equipment, and under a PPA that is not you.
We would rather tell you that plainly than let you find out at tax time.
Two ways to pay for solar, and they are very different
If you buy the system
You own the equipment, you keep any renewable energy credits, and you carry the maintenance responsibility. Installed pricing varies by roof, shading and system size.
If you use a PPA
$0 upfront. We install and own the system; you buy the power it produces at a rate set in your agreement, and you only pay for what it actually generates. The system owner carries maintenance for the life of the agreement.
The residential federal tax credit (25D) ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025.
You will still see ads promising a 30% credit that “ends December 31.” Read the date on them. If you buy a system today as a homeowner, you cannot claim that credit. What remains applies to the owner of the system — which, under a PPA, is us. SolarAmerica does not provide tax advice; talk to your tax professional about your situation.
Who you would be working with
SolarAmerica
We design your system and manage the project; installation is performed by vetted licensed partners in your area.
Massachusetts questions
The things people actually ask
Why is Massachusetts's Price to Compare lower than PPL's but the all-in rate higher?
Because the two numbers measure different things. Massachusetts's supply charge is lower; its distribution charges and riders are higher. What matters to your budget is the all-in figure — your bill divided by your kilowatt-hours.
How often does this change?
Four times a year: March, June, September and December.
Can I shop for supply?
Yes. Massachusetts is deregulated, and switching suppliers changes only the supply portion of your bill.
See what your roof and Massachusetts actually add up to
About 60 seconds. No cost, no obligation, and we will tell you if solar does not make sense for your home.
Ranked #1 by Solar Power World · 20,000+ installations · Licensed installers