MASSACHUSETTS
Solar in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sees an average of 197 sunny days each year.* That figure may be lower than the national average, but Massachusetts is still the eighth top solar energy producer in the United States.*
However, the state has yet to achieve its full solar potential. According to Google’s Project Sunroof, if just 75% of Massachusetts’ buildings installed solar panels, the state’s solar electricity production would rise to a staggering 19.5 million MWh AC per year.*
Solar potential in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.5 hours of sunlight per day, which is more than many other states in the United States.
In the first quarter of 2021, Massachusetts produced 3,262.7 MW of solar power—enough electricity for 545,258 homes. According to Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projections, the state could produce an additional 1,851 MW over the next five years.*
Despite Massachusetts’s large solar power output, only 18.49% of the state’s electricity comes from solar.*
Cost of solar in Massachusetts?
The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even in the same state. These include:
Quality of the solar panels
The size of your roof
Permit costs
The installer’s fees
Weather
In Massachusetts, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $15,050 to $29,950, or in other words, from $3.01 to $5.99 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Advantages?
Some of the most notable advantages include:
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
State incentives: Massachusetts offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Installing solar panels for homes in Massachusetts is a worthwhile investment if you want to avoid high electricity bills. Should you switch from grid power to solar power today, you can save between $43,867 and $59,350 over the next 20 years. The money you save will cover the cost of your solar array within four to six years.*
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if you feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards.
Massachusetts state policies?
You can reduce the cost of going solar by taking advantage of these state and federal solar incentives:
Federal Solar Tax Credit: Homeowners who purchase their system as opposed to leasing it, can get a tax credit of up to 26% of the total cost of the solar installation.*
Massachusetts Personal Income Tax Credit: The state tax credit entitles you to $1,000 or 15% of the cost of installing solar panels on a qualified property.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART): This program incentivizes Massachusetts residents to go solar by paying solar owners for each kW of power their array produces. Only Eversource, National Grid, and Until customers can benefit from the SMART program.*
Net Metering: Under this program from your local utility company, you will receive monthly electricity bill credits for excess power your solar system produces that goes to the main electricity grid.*
Eversource, National Grid, and Cape Light Compact customers in Massachusetts are now eligible to enroll SunVault™ systems in ConnectedSolutions—a New England demand response program that enhances energy independence and rewards customers for helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Massachusetts? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Massachusetts, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!