Massachusetts
Massachusetts Solar & Heat Pump Incentives 2026 — SMART 3.0, State Credit & Mass Save
Massachusetts pairs net metering credits near the retail rate with SMART 3.0, which pays $0.03/kWh for 20 years for small residential systems qualifying in 2026, and a 15% state income tax credit up to $1,000. Mass Save offers heat pump rebates.
3
Incentive categories
5
Program entries
29.61¢
Avg rate / kWh
9.6 yrs
Simple solar payback
$63,411
25-yr net solar savings
Moderate
Solar potential
Solar Incentives in Massachusetts
SMART 3.0 Solar Incentive
$0.03/kWh for 20 yrs (2026, ≤25 kW AC)
Fixed payment per kWh generated, locked in at qualification for a 20-year term. For small residential systems (25 kW AC or less) qualifying in 2026 the rate is $0.03/kWh, or $0.06/kWh for low-income households. Separate from net metering credits.
Eligibility: Residential customers of Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil; capacity is allocated by program year.
MA State Solar Tax Credit
15% of cost, up to $1,000
15% MA income tax credit on net solar costs (after other incentives), capped at $1,000.
Eligibility: MA resident homeowners. Stackable with the SMART program. The federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025.
Heat Pump Incentives in Massachusetts
Mass Save Heat Pump Rebate
Up to $8,500 (whole-home)
2026 air-source heat pump rebates: whole-home $2,650 per ton up to $8,500, partial-home $1,125 per ton up to $8,500, basic $250 per ton up to $2,500. Income-eligible customers can receive enhanced rebates.
Eligibility: Customers of Mass Save sponsor utilities installing qualifying heat pumps.
Federal HEAR Framework (State Availability Varies)
Statutory household cap up to $14,000
Federal law sets measure and household caps, but consumers can use rebates only where the state or territory program is active and funded. A listed cap is not an available award.
Eligibility: Income, equipment, project, state-program, and funding rules apply; confirm availability with the administering state program before purchase.
EV Incentives in Massachusetts
MOR-EV State EV Rebate
$3,500 (+$1,500 income-qualified, +$1,000 trade-in)
Standard rebate of $3,500 for an eligible new battery-electric or fuel-cell vehicle with total MSRP up to $55,000. MOR-EV+ adds $1,500 for income-qualified residents, and a $1,000 bonus applies when trading in a qualifying gas vehicle.
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents purchasing or leasing an eligible new EV.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $63,411
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Solar Policy & Local Utilities in Massachusetts
Net Metering
Net metering + SMARTMassachusetts offers net metering (subject to program caps by utility) alongside the SMART program, which pays a fixed per-kWh production incentive for 10 years. The two together can substantially shorten payback.
Source: Massachusetts DPU / DOER
Major Utilities
- Eversource
- National Grid
- Unitil
Massachusetts Solar Facts
- The SMART program guarantees a fixed per-kWh incentive for 10 years regardless of grid prices. (MA DOER)
- Massachusetts offers a 15% state solar income-tax credit, capped at $1,000. (Massachusetts DOR)
Last verified: 2026-06. Always confirm current terms with your utility or at DSIRE.
Is Solar Worth It in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is strong value despite moderate sun. High electricity rates (29.61¢/kWh), one of the lowest installed prices among states with LBNL data, and net metering credits built from retail rate components give an 9.6-year modeled payback before SMART payments or the state credit are counted.
Nationally, EnergySage reports the average U.S. homeowner saves about $60,500 over 25 years by going solar, without the expired federal credit (page updated June 2026). Actual savings vary by state, electricity rate, export rules, and system size.
Key Advantage
SMART 3.0 locks in a fixed payment per kWh for 20 years at qualification. For small residential systems (25 kW AC or less) qualifying in 2026 the rate is $0.03/kWh, or $0.06/kWh for low-income households.
Watch Out For
Lower sun hours (4.1/day) than southern states. SMART capacity is allocated by program year, so check availability before you sign.
Solar Cost & Savings in Massachusetts (8 kW System)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross install cost | $27,280 |
| Net install cost | $27,280 |
| Annual energy savings | $2,836 |
| Simple payback period | 9.6 years |
| 25-year net savings | $63,411 |
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) is not available for expenditures after Dec 31, 2025 and is not included above. State and utility incentives may still apply and are listed separately.
* Planning example for an 8 kW system: $3.41/W installed (LBNL 2024 median for Massachusetts), 4.1 peak sun hrs/day, one 20% system derate, 0.5%/yr panel degradation from year two, and 29.61¢/kWh escalating 2.5%/yr. It assumes all production offsets electricity at the retail rate; actual self-consumption and export credits vary by utility tariff. Tax credits require eligibility and sufficient tax liability.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $63,411
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
How to Go Solar in Massachusetts: Step-by-Step
- 1
Check SMART 3.0 availability
Review the current SMART 3.0 program year rates and capacity on mass.gov, or ask DOER or your installer.
- 2
Get several itemized quotes
Ask each installer whether it will handle the SMART application, and compare itemized $/W pricing.
- 3
Stack your state incentives
Add the 15% Massachusetts residential energy credit (up to $1,000) and SMART 3.0 payments ($0.03/kWh for 20 years for a small residential system in 2026). For an 8 kW system producing about 9,600 kWh a year, SMART adds roughly $290 a year. Note: The federal 25D solar ITC expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for 2026 installations. If installed in 2025, you may still claim it on your 2025 return.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar & Clean Energy in Massachusetts
Is solar worth it in Massachusetts in 2026?
Yes for most owners. With 29.61¢/kWh electricity rates, our base planning model gives about 9.6 years to payback before SMART 3.0 payments ($0.03/kWh for 20 years for small residential systems in 2026) and the 15% state income tax credit (up to $1,000) are counted.
What is the SMART solar program in Massachusetts?
SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) 3.0 pays a fixed rate per kWh your system generates, locked in at qualification for a 20-year term. For small residential systems (25 kW AC or less) qualifying in 2026, the rate is a flat $0.03/kWh, or $0.06/kWh for low-income households. It is separate from net metering credits.
Does solar work in Massachusetts winters?
Yes. Panels operate more efficiently in cold weather, although shorter days and snow cover reduce winter output. This guide uses 4.1 peak sun hours a day as the annual average, so lower winter production is already reflected.
Does Massachusetts have net metering in 2026?
Massachusetts net metering status: Net metering + SMART. Massachusetts offers net metering (subject to program caps by utility) alongside the SMART program, which pays a fixed per-kWh production incentive for 10 years. The two together can substantially shorten payback. (Source: Massachusetts DPU / DOER.)
Which utilities in Massachusetts offer solar programs?
The main electric utilities in Massachusetts are Eversource, National Grid, Unitil. Confirm current offers with your utility and check DSIRE.org for Massachusetts programs.
Recommended Products for Massachusetts
Product examples are provided for comparison only. Confirm electrical compatibility, installer requirements, warranty terms, and any current utility incentive before purchase.
Calculate Your Massachusetts Savings
The Solar ROI link preselects Massachusetts's planning inputs, including the listed electricity rate (29.61¢/kWh). Other tools open with their own defaults; review every input before calculating.
Browse Other States
Data Sources & Methodology
Incentive data: DSIRE, U.S. DOE Home Energy Rebates, IRS residential credit guidance, and linked state program pages. Electricity rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (June 2026). Solar resource: NREL PVWatts reference with state-level planning inputs, not an address-specific API result. Installed price: LBNL Tracking the Sun (Residential systems installed in 2024), a median rather than a quote. The 2.5% annual rate change is a model assumption, not a forecast. Sources and methodology reviewed 2026-09-06. Always verify current amounts with the administering agency and utility.