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If you’ve been thinking about reducing your carbon footprint to help the planet, now is the perfect time to go solar and switch to renewable energy. Moving to Massachusetts comes with a number of benefits, including exemptions from property taxes, state taxes and low utility bills. Although bad weather affects the house in autumn, winter and spring, high electricity prices are interesting plans for solar energy they have made solar panels popular in the Bay State.
Massachusetts is in the top 10 countries with the highest levels of electricityat 29.42 cents per kilowatt-hour on average in August 2024, according to data from US Energy Information Administration. The The government’s average residential electricity bill it was $165.55 a month in 2023. Going solar can help you save money on your electricity bills, protect you from fluctuating utility bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Although it is still a lot of money, installing the sun is cheap for the average American than a decade ago, largely because of federal and local incentives that help homeowners convert to clean energy. The main federal incentive is a a large tax liability which was included in the Inflation Reduction Act. At the local level, Massachusetts offers its residents state and property tax credits for solar systems.
If you’re looking to get started with installing a solar panel, here are some of our picks best solar companies this service Massachusetts.
Top solar companies in Massachusetts
Palmetto Solar
All the best
Solar panels are often the least expensive equipment, but they are not uncommon. If you want to benefit from the sun but will have peace of mind if someone makes sure it works, palmetto may be right for you. Just remember to add the cost of the Palmetto lightening service to your payback calculation.
Freedom Forever
Best for cash customers
Include Eternal Freedom in your search if you want the help of a world-class company that installs the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends several features that take the pain and risk out of the sun, such as a manufacturing guarantee and a cash-back option. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.
Tesla Solar
Very cheap
Tesla’s solar branch appears to be the most unpopular of Elon Musk’s projects. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to be a favorite.
If price is something you can’t move, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs high-end panels and creates the closest thing to a household name solar-powered home: the Powerwall.
Where you can miss out is customer support. Discussions on the Internet seem to indicate that Tesla’s operation is a gamble.
Momentum Solar
All in house installers
Momentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using an in-house installer doesn’t guarantee success, it does show that you can get more out of Momentum. The fact that Momentum backs its installation with a 25-year performance guarantee shows a strong belief in the skills of its staff. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the leak-proof warranties that other companies offer. Momentum is five years old, which is not very good.
Company proposal EnergyPal
Very flexible
EnergyPal is more than average. It will take care of your solar installation from start to finish and let you take advantage of its built-in engine and competitive pricing. The company offers a wide range of panels, batteries and inverters, has multiple financing options and offers responsive customer support.
Massachusetts solar companies
When looking for solar companies, you should also consider looking at local solar companies. We’ve pulled together several Massachusetts solar companies with the highest Google ratings. It is important to do research on solar energy companies on your own or find people you know. Here are a few Massachusetts solar companies that may be worth checking out.
Boston Solar is a solar energy company based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Since 2011, the company has installed more than 30 megawatts of residential solar power in the Bay State. Boston Solar does all the work solar expansion plan in-house and offers a 10-year quality service and 25-year product warranty. Sun money is available through the company’s partnership with Sunage Financial.
Great Sky Solar is a solar service provider with employees in the greater Boston area. The company manages the entire customer lifecycle, including design, permitting, installation, communications and maintenance, and offers customers solar financing and leasing options. Although the company offers a guarantee of good work, it does not specify the length or the nature of its work with product guarantees.
How to find a solar company in Massachusetts that is right for me
You will want to find an installer who has experience working with the type of solar project you are interested in. You’ll also want to make sure your installers have a working knowledge of the type of roof you have, and the type of system you want to install, such as grid-connected or off-grid.
Ben Delmancommunications director for Solar United Neighbors, a non-profit nonprofit organization, recommends that homeowners look for solar panels that are certified by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. They must also have the right and proper license for their work. Reading online reviews can help you better understand the installation and service history of a solar company. A few places to look for reviews of solar energy companies are Google, Yelp and Angie. Delman recommends looking for solar companies that have at least 20 to 30 reviews. Ask people you know if they have recommendations for solar companies, too.
Aside from reviews and certifications, there are a few other things you should look for in solar installers. A good installer, Delman said, should be able to:
- Give good word of mouth testimonials
- Clearly define project deadlines
- Easily explain technical terms in an easy to understand way
- Provide transparency on pricing and revenue performance
- Be familiar with local permit requirements and how to contact the local power company
- Understanding your landlord’s restrictions will help you navigate the process
A reputable solar company should be able to answer any questions you may have, no matter how difficult the questions may be. Do not hesitate to ask for more information about each project and prices. To get the best price, make sure you buy at least three items before choosing an installer.
Cost of solar panels in Massachusetts
There are several important factors that can increase the cost of installing a solar panel. The size of your roof and the structure you need to put in to power all your appliances will determine how many solar panels you can have.
If your roof is in poor condition, you may need to repair it before installing a solar panel system, which can also be expensive. If you are looking to install a solar battery aside from your solar panel, this will also increase the installation cost by a large amount.
Here’s a look at the average cost of 5 kilowatts in Massachusetts before tax incentives, according to research by FindEnergy.com.
Average cost of solar panels in Massachusetts
| System size (kW) | Price per watt | Total amount invested | Price after 30% federal tax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5 | $4.02 | $20,108 | $14,076 |
| The national average | 5 | $3.56 | $17,823 | $12,476 |
The following infographic provides the total cost, cost per watt and size of solar panels in the United States, according to data from FindEnergy.com. Prices shown do not include adjustments due to taxes or solar incentives. If FindEnergy does not have solar data for a particular area, it will appear on the map.
Massachusetts solar panel incentives or rebates
A solar system is affordable for New Englanders. Fortunately, you can lower that cost with federal tax credits and state incentives.
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (formerly known as the Investment Tax Credit) allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of the solar system from federal tax returns after purchasing a solar system. This means you will pay $6,032 less for a solar system installed in Massachusetts after using the federal loan. Most batteries will also qualify for the federal Clean Energy Credit.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a popular climate law that was passed in August 2022. Thanks to the IRA, Americans can invest in solar energy and reduce its cost with a federal tax credit until 2032. The credit will decrease to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034. Expires in 2035. To receive the Clean Energy Credit, you can complete form 5695 (PDF) and send it to the IRS. The IRS guidelines they can help you complete the form. Upon approval by the IRS, you will receive a 30% credit on your annual federal income tax.
Massachusetts also offers several incentive programs for residents to reduce the cost of solar. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency provides a comprehensive list of all incentives in the Bay State. Here are the most important things to consider.
| Program | Explanation |
|---|---|
| State tax credit | Massachusetts provides a 15% solar tax credit and a maximum credit of $1,000 for solar systems. You can claim tax credit by filing your annual income tax return. You can go over three consecutive years if you have more credit. |
| Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target | The The SMART program pays Eversource, National Grid and Unitil customers a fixed price per kilowatt-hour for electricity generated by residential solar panels. The SMART program allows projects under 25 kW of solar power to access very high salary between 0.21 cents and 0.31 cents per kWh for 10 years. The prices depend on the three participating utilities – Eversource, National Grid and Unitil. |
| No state tax | Massachusetts provides property tax and 6.25% sales tax exemption solar powered machines. You do not pay tax on increase the value of the house from the purchase and installation of your solar panel, and you may be able to claim an exemption from your income tax. |
