How much does solar energy cost?
An average residential solar system can cost between $15,000-$29,000 for average sized systems sized between 4kW and 8kW. Considering that you could possible spend up to $35,778.00 in electrical bills over the next 25 years, this can be a small price to pay for solar in Massachusetts.1 However, for too many people, that still represents too large of an upfront payment. The good news is that many of the solar providers we work with offer a variety of great solar financing and leasing options to help offset some of initial solar installation costs. In addition, low interest rates may be available for a solar home financing and installing solar panels can increase the value of your home as well.
The exact cost of your solar system will depend on the applicable home solar rebates and incentives available in your area that you qualify for and the type of solar installation you chose. Using a qualified solar energy installer who is familiar with the local incentives and permitting process will ensure that you get the most from your investment.
Are there any government tax incentives or rebates?
One of the great elements of solar power in the U.S. is that there are large number of tax incentives and rebate programs that exist to make it easier to afford solar power for your home. The solar installer that you select will be up to date on all the applicable incentives based on where you live but below are some of the basics:
- Solar Investment Tax Credit: Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows individuals to deduct 26% of the cost of a solar system from individual federal income taxes and has helped grow residential and commercial annual solar installations by 1,600 percent since its implementation in 2006.2
- Individual State Rebates: Many states offer cash rebates that are either flat amount or are based on the size of your solar power system – check out the U.S. government’s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for more information on the rebates in your area;
- Property Tax Exemptions for Residential Solar: Many state and local governments also specifically exclude the added value of a home solar energy system from your annual property taxes. There are currently 38 states offering property tax exemptions for renewable energy, reducing the financial burden on the taxpayer for installing a solar power system.3
- Municipal and Utility Rebates: In addition to the federal and state incentives, many local municipalities and utilities may also offer incentive programs for home solar. Please check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for any qualifying solar incentives in your specific area.
What are the current Massachusetts solar rebates & incentives?
There are a number of solar rebate and incentive programs that residents of Massachusetts may qualify for to offset the costs of a home solar system, such as Massachusetts Commonwealth II and Massachusetts Solar Renewable Energy Credits, that exist to make it easier to afford solar power for your home. The solar provider that you select will be up to date on all of the solar incentives and lease/finance options that may be available to you to help you save as much money as possible.
Commonwealth Solar II, offered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), provides rebates for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public facilities served by investor owned utilities: National Grid, NSTAR, Western Mass Electric and Fitchburg Gas & Electric — and some of the municipal ones. The rebate is available to the system owner, which may or may not be the host customer. In the case where the system owner is a third-party owner serving a residential host customer, the project is treated as a commercial project (and eligible for the commercial rebate amounts only).4
Does Massachusetts have any tax incentives to adopt solar power?
Yes, Massachusetts has tax incentives for home solar via the Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption. The law provides that solar energy systems and wind energy systems used as a primary or auxiliary power system for the purpose of heating or otherwise supplying the energy needs of taxable property are exempt from local property tax for a 20-year period.* Hydropower facilities are also exempt from local property tax for a 20-year period if a system owner enters into an agreement with the city or town to make a payment (in lieu of taxes) of at least 5% of its gross income in the preceding calendar year. This incentive applies only to the value added to a property by an eligible system. It does not constitute an exemption for the full amount of the property tax bill. Any components of the energy system that serve dual purposes (for example: structural and energy) are not eligible for the exemption. For instance, windows, thermal drapes and floors are not eligible for the exemption. However, thermal storage rods, storage boxes, fan systems, and duct work that function exclusively as part of the energy system are eligible for the exemption.5
Is Massachusetts a “net metering” state?
Yes, in fact, In Massachusetts, the state’s investor-owned utilities are required to offer net metering. Municipal utilities are not obligated to offer net metering, but they may do so voluntarily.6 Net-metering means that you can connect your solar panel system to the utility grid and if your system produces excess electricity during daylight hours. If a home is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output. Customers are only billed for their “net” energy use.7
If I cannot afford an upfront payment for a solar power system, are there financing options to help me?
Yes, many solar installers offer a variety of excellent solar financing options to help offset some of the initial installation costs. If you decide to go solar, a solar professional will have details on the available solar financing options, but make sure you ask about the following:
- Home Equity Loans: borrowing against the equity of your home. This type of financing requires that you already have significant equity in your home and a good credit score8;
- Solar Lease: leasing the solar panels for a fee over a set length of time; and
- Power Purchase Agreement: an arrangement similar to a lease arrangement where the solar provider/installer secures funding on their own for the solar project, installs the solar system in your home/office building and then sells the electricity from the solar system to the home/building owner at a fixed contractual price for a set length of time. In a PPA, the solar company remains responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system for the duration of the agreement.9
Solar-Massachusetts.org is a no-cost, no-obligation, risk-free service dedicated to providing solar estimates to anyone interested in lowering their electricity bill and going green. Start now with free solar quotes from our qualified solar providers near you by filling out our short solar quotes request form here. Get connected to the best solar companies in your area and go solar today!