The Massachusetts market is shaped by net metering and a renewable portfolio standard with a solar goal, along with an accompanying SREC market. The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program was established in 2018 and has driven significant solar deployment in the state, acting as a template for other states to follow. 

View more solar data.

Recent Policy Highlights

• SEIA led efforts to expand the SMART program, helping secure an additional 1,600 megawatts of capacity for the program and relax some of the most onerous restrictions on developing solar projects on natural and working lands.
• SEIA continued to support the Northeast Clean Energy Council's intervention with the Department of Public Utilities in case 19-55 on improving distributed solar interconnection policies.
• SEIA also led efforts to extend project completion timelines based on the COVID crisis.

For more information on SEIA's work in Massachusetts, please contact Dave Gahl. 

Notable Solar Installations in Massachusetts

• Solterra Monastery Community Solar Garden in Spencer was developed by Clearway Energy Group and came online in 2016. This 20.1 MW project produces enough electricity to power 3,712 homes.
• Walmart, Target, and Home Depot have all gone solar in Massachusetts. Walmart's 9 MW Orchards project is one of the largest corporate projects in the state. 
• At 10.4 MW, Dunstable Solar 1 in Dunstable is among the largest solar installations in Massachusetts. Completed by AES in 2021, this solar project has enough electric capacity to power more than 1,921 homes.

Check out our Major Solar Projects List for more notable installations.

Solar Companies in Massachusetts

Looking for a local installer? Use SolarReviews to get company reviews and estimates for solar in your area. You can also view the average costs for installing solar in Massachusetts, based on real price data from installed systems and solar quotes.

Don't see your company listed? Complete our National Solar Database Survey!

If you're looking for information about local solar companies, check out EnergySage's list of solar companies in Massachusetts, where you can check out information about each company and see real customer reviews.

Massachusetts State Solar Policy Resources

Department of Public Utilities - Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Massachusetts public utilities

Department of Energy Resources - Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics

DSIRE incentives database - Massachusetts - Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Massachusetts and across the United States

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center - Learn about the state agency dedicated solely to facilitating the development of the clean energy industry 

Massachusetts Solar Panels Overview - Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage

Solar Panel Cost in Massachusetts - Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage

Solar Rebates & Incentives in Massachusetts - Check out EnergySage's list of key solar incentives in Massachusetts to see what programs you can benefit from

State Legislature - Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Massachusetts

U.S. Energy Information Administration - Massachusetts State Profile - Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government