Solar resource
Your solar production in Boston
4.45 avg peak sun hours/day
Monthly avg solar radiation (kWh/m²/day) — Boston, MA. Bars update to show estimated kWh production when you use the calculator above.
Utility rate
Eversource Energy (Boston) electricity rate
$0.26/kWh residential
- Utility
- Eversource Energy (Boston)
- Residential rate
- $0.26/kWh (blended)
Massachusetts net metering credits excess solar at the full retail rate under Massachusetts DPU regulations (225 CMR 20.00). Credits carry forward month-to-month; any unused credits at December 31 are paid out at the wholesale avoided cost rate. The MA SMART program provides additional monthly income on top of net metering savings — see incentives below.
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Incentives
Available solar incentives in Boston, MA
Federal + state + utility
| Incentive | Type | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Tax Credit | 30% of system cost | Federal |
| Massachusetts SMART Program (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) | Rebate | Monthly incentive payment of ~$0.15–$0.20/kWh generated for 10 years | State |
| Massachusetts State Income Tax Credit | Tax Credit | 15% of net installation cost, up to $1,000 | State |
| Massachusetts Property Tax Exemption for Solar | Exemption | Solar system value excluded from property tax assessment | State |
| Eversource Net Metering | Net Metering | Retail rate credit (~$0.26/kWh) for excess solar exported to the grid | Utility |
Incentive amounts and eligibility rules change. Verify current terms with your installer and a tax professional before installation.
System cost
Cost breakdown (6 kW default)
- Gross system cost
- $18600
- Federal ITC (30%)
- −$6580
- Net system cost
- $12,020
- Installed cost per watt
- $3.1/W
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Tracking the Sun 2024 — Massachusetts median installed cost for systems 3–10 kW. MA costs are slightly above national median due to labor and permitting.
Payback & long-term value
25-year outlook
- Annual savings (yr 1)
- $1,766
- Simple payback period
- 6.8 years
- 25-year net savings
- $32130
- Assumed annual rate increase
- 2.5%/year
25-year estimate uses flat electricity rate for conservative baseline. Accounting for 2.5% annual rate increases, lifetime savings increase substantially.
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How it works
How solar savings work in Boston
- Your panels produce power year-round in Boston Boston averages 4.45 peak sun hours per day — lower than Sun Belt cities but viable for solar. A 6 kW system produces roughly 6,792 kWh/year, peaking in June–July and slowing through December–January. Cold, clear winter days also generate meaningful output — solar panels operate more efficiently at lower temperatures.
- An inverter converts DC to AC A string inverter or microinverters convert DC electricity from the panels to AC power your home uses. Modern inverters achieve 96–99% conversion efficiency.
- You use solar power instead of buying from Eversource Every kWh your system produces offsets what you buy from Eversource at approximately $0.26/kWh. A 6 kW system in Boston produces ~6,792 kWh/year — saving approximately $1,766/year at current Eversource rates.
- Excess power flows back to Eversource at retail rate Under Massachusetts net metering rules, excess solar exported to the grid is credited at the full retail distribution rate against your monthly bill. Credits carry forward month-to-month; unused credits at December 31 are paid out at the wholesale avoided cost rate.
- MA SMART pays you monthly for 10 years Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) pays a monthly incentive of approximately $0.15–$0.20/kWh for all electricity generated by your system for 10 years. For a 6 kW Boston system, this adds approximately $1,189/year (~$11,890 over 10 years) on top of energy savings — dramatically improving payback. Payments are made through Eversource based on your generation meter.
- You claim the 30% federal + MA state tax credits In the installation year, claim a 30% federal ITC on the full installed cost ($5,580 on an $18,600 system) plus a MA state income tax credit of up to $1,000. Combined, these reduce your net system cost to approximately $12,020 before SMART income.
FAQ
Common solar savings questions for Boston, MA
How much can I save with solar in Boston, MA?
A 6 kW system in Boston produces roughly 6,792 kWh/year and saves approximately $1,766/year in Eversource electricity costs. After the 30% federal ITC ($5,580) and MA state tax credit ($1,000), net system cost is about $12,020 — giving a payback of ~6.8 years on energy savings alone. However, MA SMART program income (~$1,189/year for 10 years) can cut effective payback to 2–3 years.
What is the MA SMART program and how does it work?
Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) is administered by the MA Dept of Energy Resources (DOER) and paid through utilities including Eversource. It pays a monthly per-kWh incentive on all electricity generated by your solar system for 10 years. The base rate for Eversource residential customers is approximately $0.15–$0.20/kWh as of 2026 (rates decline as each capacity block fills). For a 6 kW Boston system producing ~6,792 kWh/year at $0.175/kWh: $1,189/year × 10 years = ~$11,890 total — on top of net metering savings and tax credits. Check current block rates and availability at mass.gov/smart-program.
Does Massachusetts have a net metering law?
Yes. Massachusetts requires retail-rate net metering for residential solar under DPU rules (225 CMR 20.00). Eversource credits excess solar at the full retail distribution rate (~$0.26/kWh) against your monthly bill. Credits carry forward month-to-month; any unused credits at December 31 are paid out at the wholesale avoided cost rate. Massachusetts net metering is one of the strongest in the Northeast.
Is there a Massachusetts state income tax credit for solar?
Yes. MA provides a state income tax credit equal to 15% of the net installed cost, capped at $1,000. Applied after the federal ITC on an $18,600 system: 15% of $13,020 = $1,953, capped at $1,000. The credit can be carried forward up to 3 years if insufficient MA income tax liability exists in the installation year.
Does Boston get enough sun for solar to be worth it?
Yes — particularly given MA's incentive stack. Boston's 4.45 peak sun hours/day is modest, but MA SMART program income (~$11,890 over 10 years for a 6 kW system) is one of the most generous solar incentives in the US. Combined with the federal ITC, MA state credit, and net metering, Boston solar payback can reach 2–3 years for many homeowners.
How many solar panels does a Boston home need?
A typical Boston home using 500–700 kWh/month needs a 5–8 kW system — roughly 13–21 standard panels at 380–400 W each. Boston's lower sun hours mean a larger system is needed to match the output you'd get from a smaller system in a Sun Belt city. Use the calculator above with your monthly Eversource bill to estimate.
Sources
Data sources and freshness
- https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
- https://www.mass.gov/smart-program
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/solar-energy-in-massachusetts
- https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/products-and-services/renewable-energy/solar-energy
- https://openei.org/apps/USURDB/
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter59/Section5
- https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-the-sun
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
- https://dsireusa.org/
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only — not financial or investment advice. Solar savings depend on actual shading, roof orientation, energy usage patterns, rate changes, and equipment performance. Consult a licensed installer and a tax professional before making purchasing decisions. Verify incentive eligibility with official sources. Data last verified 2026-04-18.