Understanding the Massachusetts Solar Program
A Guide to Solar Incentives, Energy Storage, and Eligibility
If you’re considering going solar in Massachusetts, one of the most valuable opportunities available is the Massachusetts solar program through the SMART initiative. Designed to make solar more affordable and support clean energy growth, this program provides ongoing payments to solar system owners based on how much electricity their system produces.
The SMART Program launched in November 2018 and continues to be available for eligible projects as long as state capacity targets haven’t been met, with new enrollment periods opening annually. For homeowners and businesses in Massachusetts, programs like this are a key reason why choosing a trusted full-service solar provider like Suncovia can maximize your benefits from the Massachusetts solar program.
What Is the Massachusetts Solar Program?
Suncovia installs solar panels in Massachusetts, helping homeowners take advantage of the SMART Program and maximize savings.
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program is a statewide incentive that pays solar system owners fixed monthly payments for the energy their solar panels generate.
Unlike traditional rebates that provide a one-time discount, SMART offers long-term production-based incentives, meaning you earn money as your system produces electricity over time.
The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and is designed to expand solar adoption while maintaining grid reliability and encouraging advanced energy technologies.
How the Massachusetts Solar Program Works
When you install a qualifying solar system with Suncovia, you are enrolled in a payment structure based on factors like:
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System size and location
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Type of installation (residential, commercial, or community solar)
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Energy production levels
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Additional qualifying features, such as battery storage
Once approved, you receive fixed payments for each unit of electricity your system produces over a set contract period. These predictable payments help offset installation costs and increase long-term savings.
Additional Incentives for Energy Storage
One of the most valuable features of the Massachusetts solar program is its support for energy storage.
If you install a battery along with your solar system, you may qualify for additional incentive payments. These extra benefits encourage homeowners to store excess solar energy and use it when demand is high or during power outages.
Energy storage can help you:
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Increase energy independence
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Improve backup power reliability
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Reduce reliance on the utility grid
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Maximize the value of your solar production
Who Is Eligible for the Massachusetts Solar Program?
Eligibility depends not just on installing solar — but who owns the system.
If You Own Your Solar System
If you purchase your solar system outright or finance it through a loan, you are considered the system owner.
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You receive the monthly SMART incentive payments directly
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Payments are based on how much electricity your system produces
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You benefit from both bill savings and incentive income
This ownership structure provides the highest level of financial return from the program.
If You Lease Your Solar System or Use a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
You can still go solar through a lease or power purchase agreement, but the financial structure is different:
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A third-party solar company owns the system
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The system owner receives the SMART incentive payments
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You benefit indirectly through lower electricity costs or fixed solar rates
While you may not receive incentive payments directly, leasing or using a PPA can still provide predictable energy savings with little or no upfront cost.
Why Ownership Matters
The Massachusetts solar program pays incentives based on solar energy production — and those payments legally go to whoever owns the equipment generating that electricity. That means ownership determines whether you receive the incentive checks yourself or benefit through reduced energy pricing from a third-party provider.
Why the Massachusetts Solar Program Matters
The SMART Program is designed to make solar more accessible while strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure. For homeowners, that means:
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Lower overall costs through long-term payments
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Greater return on solar investment
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Incentives for advanced technology like batteries
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Predictable savings for years to come
Instead of just reducing your electric bill, the program helps solar systems generate ongoing financial value.
Who Should Consider the Massachusetts Solar Program?
The Massachusetts solar program is ideal for:
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Homeowners planning to install solar panels
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Property owners interested in adding battery storage
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Businesses seeking long-term energy savings
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Anyone deciding between owning or leasing solar
Working with a full-service provider like Suncovia ensures your project is eligible, properly installed, and maximizes both energy savings and the incentives offered through the Massachusetts solar program.
Final Thoughts
The Massachusetts solar program plays a major role in making solar energy more affordable and rewarding. By providing fixed payments for energy production and additional incentives for battery storage, it helps homeowners reduce costs while supporting a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
Launched in November 2018, the program remains available as long as capacity targets aren’t met, giving homeowners and businesses a long-term opportunity to benefit from solar in Massachusetts. Choosing Suncovia ensures you can take full advantage of this program while getting expert guidance, installation, and support throughout the process.
Get Started with Suncovia Today
Don’t wait to start saving on your energy bills and take advantage of the Massachusetts solar program. Suncovia makes going solar simple, handling everything from design to installation while helping you maximize incentives.
Contact Suncovia now to schedule your free solar consultation and learn how much you can save with solar energy tailored to your home or business. https://suncovia.com/free-quote/
