Solar panels are a great investment for Massachusetts homeowners. They save you money on your electric bills while reducing your impact on the environment and making you more energy independent.
But, installing solar panels for your home can be a big decision. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about solar panel installation in Massachusetts to help you decide whether solar is worth it for your home.
Benefits of Solar Panels in Massachusetts
First things first—why should you install solar panels? Solar panels have a lot of benefits for Massachusetts homeowners, including:
- Lower electricity bills – Solar panels will significantly reduce your electric bills and protect you against rising electricity rates.
- Smaller carbon footprint – With solar, you can power your home with renewable energy, reducing your impact on the environment.
- Backup power – If you install solar with battery storage, you’ll have backup power during a grid outage.
- Increased home value – Studies show that houses with solar panels sell for more than similar houses without solar.
How Solar Panels Work
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When sunlight hits the panels, it excites the electrons, generating direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this DC power into alternating current (AC) electricity, which powers your home.
It’s important to note that most rooftop solar panel systems are grid-tied. That means they are connected to the electric grid. There are two benefits to a grid connection. First, it gives you access to grid power when your solar panels are not producing electricity, like at night. Second, it allows you to participate in net metering, so you can export your excess solar energy to the grid and earn credit with your utility.
Is Your House a Good Fit for Solar Panels?
Before you invest in solar panels, it’s important to make sure your house is a good fit. The best way to evaluate your home is with a free solar assessment from Neeeco. We’ll consider all key factors to help you decide whether solar is worth it for your home, including:
- Roof Condition – If your roof is old or damaged, consider making repairs before installing solar panels.
- Roof Orientation & Shading – South-facing roofs with little shading work best, but east- and west-facing panels also generate significant power.
- Electricity Consumption – The more electricity you use, the more you’ll benefit from solar. We’ll analyze your past electric bills to determine how many solar panels you need to offset your consumption and how much money you stand to save.
Solar Panel Costs, Financing & Incentives
Solar Installation Costs
The average cost of a residential solar installation is typically about $18,000–$30,000 before incentives. But this is a general estimate—costs can vary significantly from one house to another. The size of your home, the type of equipment you choose, and the layout of your roof can all impact your installation costs. For a free, personalized quote, reach out to Neeeco! We’ll crunch the numbers based on your specific home and electricity needs.
Solar Financing Options
There are several ways to finance a home solar installation in Massachusetts, including:
- Cash Payment – A cash payment requires the highest upfront investment but also leads to the greatest savings.
- Solar Loan – With a loan, you own your system without having to make a significant upfront payment. If you install solar battery storage and enroll it in ConnectedSolutions, the battery may be eligible for 0% interest HEAT Loan financing.
- Solar Lease – Solar leases allow you to go solar for $0. The solar panels are installed on your roof, but you don’t own them. Instead, you pay a third-party leasing company to use the electricity they generate. Since you don’t own the solar panels, you can’t claim tax incentives for a lease and will see the lowest lifetime savings.
Solar Incentives in Massachusetts
If you live in Massachusetts, you have access to some of the best solar incentive programs in the country, including:
- Federal Solar Tax Credit – Solar panel installations are eligible for a 30% federal income tax credit, bringing costs down significantly.
- Massachusetts State Solar Tax Credit – You’ll save an additional 15% on your solar installation, up to $1,000, with the Massachusetts state solar tax credit.
- Net Metering – You can sell solar power to the grid in Massachusetts! All investor-owned utilities (National Grid, Eversource, and Unitil) are required to credit solar customers for their excess electricity generation.
- Sales & Property Tax Exemptions – You don’t have to pay sales tax on solar panels in Mass, and going solar won’t increase your property taxes either.
Residential Solar Installation Process: What to Expect
Installing residential solar panels is a big project, but with the right solar company, the process is easy. Neeeco makes the residential solar panel installation process as simple and stress-free as possible for our customers. We handle the entire installation process for you from beginning to end and provide consistent communication every step of the way.
Here’s what to expect when you go solar with Neeeco:
- Free Consultation – We look at your roof, talk to you about your energy needs, and provide a free estimate to help you decide whether solar is right for your home.
- System Design – We design a custom solar power system to match your energy usage and maximize your electric bill savings.
- Permitting & Approvals – We obtain all the permits and approvals required for your installation.
- Installation – Our expert team installs your new solar power system. We arrive on time, work efficiently (completing most installations in just one day), and clean up before we leave.
- Activation – We’ll work with your utility company to connect your system to the grid and turn it on so you can start generating your own electricity right away.
If you’re ready to join the thousands of Massachusetts homeowners who are saving money every month with solar panels, reach out to Neeeco today.