Go Solar
Summary: Create 100% Renewable Energy where you live
Description
A solar (photovoltaic or PV) system creates carbon-free electricity. Solar arrays can be installed on rooftops or in ground-mount infrastructure. Depending on the size of the array, the out-of-pocket cost after all tax credits (including Federal credits remaining until January 1, 2026) and incentives can be as much as $17,238–23,235, according to EnergySage (a service to help homeowners compare their solar options). The average residential PV installation is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2.5 tons/year.
Solar panels generate renewable electricity. Panel prices have dramatically decreased over the past few years and financial incentives remain available — a combination that makes solar an excellent investment for many homes and other buildings. This Old House recently did an evaluation of solar incentives for Massachusetts you can look at here. This article does not reflect changes to the Federal incentives enacted in July of 2025.
Here are a few options to buy or finance your solar array:
• Purchase outright: this provides you 100% of the savings from the sun's rays, plus a 30% federal tax credit (expires January 1, 2026), and a Massachusetts tax credit of up to $1,000. Calculate your tax credits with this Rewiring America calculator.
• Finance with a loan: this provides all the benefits of outright purchase, but also means you have a loan payment. Some banks offer low-interest-rate solar loan programs for terms of 5–7 years.
• Pay nothing up front: this option means entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an approved third-party company. With a PPA, that third-party entity owns and maintains your on-site system for the length of the agreement, and you contract to pay that entity for your electricity during the term of the agreement. During the term, that party gets all the tax and SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program benefits of the purchase options described above. Depending on the terms of the PPA, you may save 10–20% off your electric bill during the term of the PPA (which can be as long as 20 years). At the end of the agreement, you own the system, get all the economic savings from electric energy from the sun, and power your home entirely with free, clean, renewable electricity.
Solar PV panels, depending on the size of the array, may be able to power all or much of your home's entire electricity needs with clean energy that can be used for all your lights and appliances, for "cold climate" electric heat pumps for home heating and cooling (thus reducing the operating cost of heat pumps), and for charging your electric vehicles.
Deep Dive
How do I know my home is good for solar?
Solar installers can do a quick virtual evaluation of the usable area of your roof, the shading of your roof, and the approximate number of hours of usable sunlight per year. Roofs that face south with little shade are best, but roofs that face east and west can work if there is little shade. Ideal roofs have large expanses of open areas but panels can be placed on smaller areas, as well. Remember that this is just a rough assessment. You need to request a free site visit from a solar installer for a more-accurate evaluation of your roof's solar potential and economic returns.
What kind of maintenance is required on solar systems?
A solar array should be largely maintenance free over its 25+ year life. If you own your solar panels, one possible exception to this is the likely need to replace some inverters after several years. However, if you have chosen panels with inverters integrated into them, the inverters should be covered by the warranty and not need replacement during the life of the panel. Rain and snow will generally keep the panels clean and free of debris. Removing snow is not recommended because of the risk of damaging the panels. (Because they are made of smooth, tempered glass, snow slides off the panels as sunlight begins to warm them.) Even if your internet or reporting system goes down, the panels will keep producing; it is rare for the panels to stop functioning. All of that said, it is wise to have the system inspected every so often to ensure all is well.
How does "going solar" work?
Generally, a solar installer will request a copy of your electricity bill, and then prepare a proposed configuration and financial estimate based on your usage and space available for a PV array. Once you approve the design and sign a contract, the solar installer will handle the installation, pulling permits, scheduling the work, and ensuring the system is ready to connect to the grid. It may take a month or more until installation begins, but the actual installation usually only takes a couple of days. After required electrical inspections, National Grid will install a net meter and give you approval to power up your system.
What are other benefits of solar PV?
Solar PV panels (which sometimes include the inverter) are usually warrantied for 25 years and inverters for 10-25 years (if the inverter is separate from the panels); the panels usually require no maintenance. With the potential for free electricity to home buyers, solar panels can increase the value of your home.
What is net metering and how does it help the solar customer?
Currently, residential solar systems in Massachusetts are allowed to use "net metering" if the system rating is below 25 kW DC. Net metering credits the owner of the array for every kWh of electricity produced by the system, regardless of whether that electricity is used now or in the future. For example, in the summer, you may produce more electricity than you consume in a given month, but the excess electricity that you did not use gets put onto the electrical grid and you get full credit for that electricity when you need to use it later, such as during the winter months.
Net metering is done by changing the utility's electric meter on your home to a "net meter" that runs both forward and backward. When you use more electricity than you produce, the meter runs forward. When you produce more electricity than you use, the meter runs backward. Your utility bill is based on the net meter reading each month. For any months in which you produce more electricity than you use, the net meter reading for the month will be negative, and you will get a credit on your bill for the excess electricity. This credit can be used in later months when you use more electricity than you produce.
Where can I get more information?
Learn more: Massachusetts DOER and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Steps to Take
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To search for solar installers and get all your questions answered, go to EnergySage, a clearing house and no-charge independent consultant for solar installers (solar installers pay finder’s fees to Energy Sage). Enter your electricity bill info and approximate roof size on their website and get three free quotes emailed to you — no sales pitch involved! An Energy Sage staff person will contact you a few days later to answer ANY question (technical, financial, etc.) and help you decide on an installer if you wish. You are not obligated to work through Energy Sage, but it does thoroughly vet and integrate ongoing feedback from customers about installers.
2. Once you have met with a few installers and are close to selecting one, you can check state-tracked data on volume, average cost per watt, panel type, and inverter type for various installers.
3. Your contracted installer will calculate the sizing and configuration of your system, and provide a financial estimate based on your electricity usage and available space. Once you have approved the design and signed a contract, the solar installer will handle the installation, including pulling permits and executing an Interconnection Agreement with National Grid.
4. After required electrical inspections, National Grid will install a net meter and give you approval to power up your system.
5. Let us know how it went! Add a Testimonial on this site.