Independent solar advice in Boston

Boston Solar Installation 2026

Eversource Eastern MA: SMART 3.0 adds $0.03/kWh on all production for 20 years. MA 15% state credit. Expert Boston solar advice for triple-deckers and historic districts.

Book Free In-Home Estimate See Savings Calculator

The federal residential solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. We tell you the truth about what is left in 2026: which state programs still apply, and which financing paths can still capture federal value.

NABCEP Certified TO BE PROVIDED

BBB Accredited TO BE PROVIDED

Licensed and Insured TO BE PROVIDED

Average local electricity rate (cents/kWh): 29
Peak sun hours per day (NREL): 4.6
Typical installed cost per watt: $3.16
Estimated payback (years, zero federal credit): 11

Electricity rate as of 2026-04-01. Sun hours: NREL PVWatts, Boston fixed tilt annual average (TurbineGenerator.org source). Cost per watt: NuWatt 2026, Boston (Suffolk County). Payback estimate assumes zero federal residential credit (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025) and current utility net-metering tariffs.

Net metering in Boston

Eversource Eastern MA full retail net metering at approximately $0.2836/kWh (Class I residential, up to 25 kW AC); SMART 3.0 adds $0.03/kWh on all solar production for 20 years (standard income) or $0.06/kWh for income-qualified households. Credits roll forward monthly at full retail value; annual excess paid at wholesale avoided-cost rate. Qualified per Eversource Eastern MA tariff as of June 2026.

Available programs

Solar incentives in Boston, MA for 2026

Incentives available in MA

Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).

Active solar incentives in MA
Program	Benefit	Eligibility	Status	Source
MA SMART 3.0 Production Incentive Local/State Incentive	$0.03/kWh on all solar production for 20 years (standard income); $0.06/kWh for income-qualified households. Paid in addition to net metering credits. DPU approved revised SMART 3.0 tariff May 19, 2026. 600 MW AC capacity available for Program Year 2026. Verify current block availability with Eversource before signing contract.	Eversource Eastern MA residential customers with new grid-tied solar. Owned systems only (not leased).	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Massachusetts 15% State Income Tax Credit Local/State Incentive	15% of solar system cost as MA state income tax credit, capped at $1,000. Carry-forward up to three years allowed. No set expiration date as of June 2026.	MA residents who own solar on primary residence. Filed on Schedule EC with Form 1. Leases and PPAs do not qualify.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Massachusetts 20-Year Property Tax Exemption Local/State Incentive	Solar system added value is exempt from local property tax assessment for 20 years.	All Massachusetts homeowners with solar installations.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Massachusetts Sales Tax Exemption Local/State Incentive	Solar PV equipment fully exempt from Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax.	All Massachusetts solar purchases. Automatic; no application required.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Boston Community Solar Cooperative Local/State Incentive	Community-owned solar access for renters and income-qualified residents who cannot install rooftop solar. Designed for environmental justice communities. No rooftop required.	Boston residents in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. First array on Dorchester Food Co-op rooftop at 195 Bowdoin Street.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Mass Save HEAT Loan Local/State Incentive	0% interest loan up to $25,000 for 7 years for energy efficiency upgrades including solar-adjacent measures.	Massachusetts homeowners served by Eversource Eastern MA. Requires free Mass Save Home Energy Assessment.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)

Data last verified June 29, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.

California property-tax exclusion sunsets December 31, 2026. Solar systems installed and permitted by December 31, 2026 lock in the exclusion for the life of the system under current California law (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 73). Systems installed in 2027 may not qualify if the Legislature does not extend the exemption. Verify current legislative status at ftb.ca.gov before signing a contract.

Why Boston homeowners are moving now

After the January 2025 wildfires, battery storage became a priority

Boston's Eversource Eastern MA rate of approximately 29 cents/kWh all-in, combined with SMART 3.0 production payments of $0.03/kWh on all solar production for 20 years, creates one of the strongest solar ROI environments in New England. In October 2025, Cambridge formally urged Massachusetts to lift the Eversource Eastern MA solar net metering cap, warning it could be reached within three years. Boston homeowners who install before the cap is approached lock in full retail net metering at the current $0.2836/kWh credit rate.

Source: Cambridge petition to lift Eversource Eastern MA solar net metering cap (2025).

Illustrative example

What does a typical Boston solar system actually cost and save?

Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Figures are estimates based on market data as of 2026-06-29. Your numbers depend on your roof, your utility, and your bill.

System inputs

System size: 11 kW
Gross cost ($3.16/W): $34,760
Federal residential credit: $0 (expired Dec 31, 2025)
MA 15% state income tax credit capped at $1,000: Applied
MA sales tax exemption on equipment: Applied
MA SMART 3.0 $0.03/kWh production payment for 20 years (est. $250/yr on 11 kW): Applied
Estimated net cost: $33,760

Estimated outcomes

Annual savings range: $2,200 to $3,100
Estimated payback: 11 years

An 11 kW system at $3.16/W grosses $34,760 before incentives. Zero federal residential credit applies (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). The MA 15% state credit caps at $1,000. SMART 3.0 adds approximately $250/year in production income for 20 years. Eversource Eastern MA net metering credits at $0.2836/kWh roll forward monthly. Boston's higher installed cost ($3.16/W versus $2.85-$2.95 in Springfield) extends payback compared to other MA cities.

Run the savings calculator for your specific address

Ready to see what solar works out to for your Boston home?

A free in-home assessment reviews your utility bill, your roof, your options, and every available incentive for your address. No pressure. No shared leads.

Book Your Free In-Home Estimate

Neighborhoods we serve

Solar in Boston: high-adoption areas, equity zones, and post-fire demand corridors

High-adoption neighborhoods

Established solar saturation; higher installers per block, active neighbor referrals, and permit history at LADBS.

West Roxbury
Roslindale
Hyde Park
Outer East Boston
Jamaica Plain

Equity program target areas

Designated disadvantaged communities (DAC) eligible for SGIP equity resiliency, DAC-SASH, and other income-qualified programs. Income verification required.

Dorchester
Roxbury
Mattapan
East Boston

Post-fire and growth corridors

Wildfire-affected and adjacent neighborhoods where battery storage demand surged following the January 2025 fires. Rebuilding homeowners and proximate neighbors with elevated grid-resilience priorities.

Triple-decker Dorchester
South End (rear-facing)
Charlestown detached stock

LOCAL INSTALL PHOTO -- BOSTON -- TO BE PROVIDED

Permitting and interconnection

How solar permitting works in Boston

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Permit office: City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD)
SolarAPP+ status: SolarAPP+: Not adopted by this AHJ
Permit fee: No Massachusetts AHJ has adopted SolarAPP+ as of June 2026. Boston ISD enacted a 60% reduction in solar permit fees by removing PV hardware from project cost calculation. Apply through Inspectional Services Online Portal at boston.gov/boston-permitting. Historic district properties (Beacon Hill, Back Bay, South End) require Boston Landmarks Commission review and take significantly longer.
Typical contract-to-energization: 6 to 16 weeks (3-6 weeks Boston ISD standard, 10-16 weeks historic districts; Eversource interconnection 4-8 weeks after permit)

We handle the permit and interconnection filings

LADBS permit application and plan set preparation
SolarAPP+ submission for qualifying systems
LADWP or SCE interconnection application
Inspection coordination and utility sign-off
Certificate of Completion delivery to homeowner

Approximately 17% of Boston's land area falls within a local historic district or landmark designation. South-facing rear installations are often approvable even in landmark areas; street-visible facades are harder to approve. Short-form expedited option exists for standard residential systems under 15 kW in non-historic locations.

Your local Boston advisor

One advisor. No door-knockers. No shared leads.

Serving Boston and surrounding MA communities

Book Your Free In-Home Inspection

West Roxbury, Boston REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from West Roxbury homeowner with Eversource Eastern MA net metering details and SMART 3.0 income]

System: 11 kW rooftop solar, Eversource Eastern MA, SMART 3.0

Jamaica Plain, Boston REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Jamaica Plain triple-decker owner describing multi-meter offset and Boston ISD permit process]

System: 8.5 kW rooftop solar, triple-decker, Eversource Eastern MA

Hyde Park, Boston REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Hyde Park homeowner describing savings against 29-cent Eversource rate]

System: 10 kW rooftop solar, Eversource Eastern MA, SMART 3.0

For business owners and property managers

Commercial Solar in Boston

Boston's commercial and institutional market is one of the largest in New England. SMART 3.0 commercial rates, Eversource Eastern MA commercial net metering, and the federal Section 48E commercial credit (for projects starting construction by July 4, 2026) apply to Boston commercial installations. Harvard, MIT, and Mass General Brigham's renewable procurement commitments demonstrate the institutional appetite.

See commercial solar options

Commercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.

Schedule a Free Commercial Assessment

Boston solar questions

What Boston homeowners ask

City-specific answers. Every number references your utility and your permit office.

Does Boston's SMART 3.0 still have capacity in 2026?

Massachusetts DPU approved the revised SMART 3.0 tariff on May 19, 2026, with 600 MW AC of capacity available for Program Year 2026. Eversource Eastern MA operates its own capacity blocks. Homeowners should verify the current block status with Eversource before signing a solar contract, as blocks fill on a first-come basis and the rate steps down as each block fills.

How does net metering work for Boston Eversource customers?

Eversource Eastern MA credits solar exports at approximately $0.2836/kWh under full retail 1:1 net metering for Class I residential systems up to 25 kW AC (expanded from 10 kW in February 2025). Credits roll forward monthly at full retail value. At the annual true-up, any remaining excess is paid at the wholesale avoided-cost rate rather than the full retail credit.

Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

No. The Section 25D residential federal solar credit expired December 31, 2025 under H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025). No federal credit applies to residential solar systems installed in 2026. Massachusetts state incentives remain active: the 15% state income tax credit (capped at $1,000), SMART 3.0 production payments, 20-year property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption on equipment.

Can I install solar on a Boston triple-decker?

Yes. Boston's triple-deckers in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain typically have 8 to 13 kW of usable roof area. Owners of three-unit buildings can offset bills across all three electric meters, which accelerates payback. Converted triple-deckers held as condominiums require consent from all condo association members before installation. Boston ISD handles the permit through its standard or short-form process depending on system size and property type.

Do Boston historic districts affect solar installation?

Yes, significantly. Approximately 17% of Boston's land area falls within a local historic district or landmark designation, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the South End. Properties in these areas require Boston Landmarks Commission review, which can extend the permitting timeline from the standard 3-6 weeks to 10-16 weeks total. South-facing rear roof installations are often approvable; street-visible roof faces are more difficult. Non-historic properties use Boston ISD's standard or short-form permit process.

More solar resources for Massachusetts:

Massachusetts solar guide All cities

Ready for your free in-home solar estimate in Boston?

An independent advisor visits your Boston home, reviews your utility bill and roof, and explains every incentive available at your specific address. No pressure. No shared leads. No commissions.

Book Your Free In-Home Estimate Run the Savings Calculator First