Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteCape Light Compact (CLC) serves 21 Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard towns. If your home is in Barnstable or Dukes County, this guide covers everything you need to know about solar with CLC as your electricity provider.
Cape Light Compact is a municipal aggregation program — one of the largest in Massachusetts — that pools the electricity buying power of 21 Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard communities to negotiate better supply rates from competitive electricity providers.
Most CLC customers stay on CLC supply because it typically offers rates slightly below Eversource default supply. When you go solar, this doesn't change — your solar system interacts with Eversource's distribution infrastructure regardless of which supply company you use. Net metering credits are applied to your total bill (supply + distribution).
Your total CLC electric rate has multiple components. For solar sizing purposes, the blended all-in rate is what matters — that's what your net metering credits are worth.
| Rate Component | Approx. Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supply (CLC Green Communities) | ~$0.10-0.12/kWh | CLC negotiates supply rates via aggregation — varies by program year |
| Eversource Distribution | ~$0.08-0.10/kWh | Wires, poles, metering — passes through to all CLC customers |
| Eversource Transmission | ~$0.03/kWh | ISO-NE grid transmission charges |
| Transition / Stranded Cost Charges | ~$0.01-0.02/kWh | Legacy utility cost recovery charges |
| Other (municipal, renewable) | ~$0.01/kWh | Green Communities adder, municipal charges |
| Total Blended Rate | ~$0.25-0.27/kWh | Typical CLC residential all-in rate (2026 estimates) |
CLC supply rates change each program year. Always verify your current rate on your monthly bill (listed as "CLC Supply" or "Green Communities Supply"). The rate above is an estimate for 2026 planning purposes. Eversource distribution rates are regulated by the MA DPU.
Cape Light Compact customers receive the same 1:1 full retail net metering as Eversource direct customers. Here's exactly how it works:
Your panels generate DC power, converted to AC by your inverter. Eversource's meter tracks power flowing both ways.
Every kWh exported to the grid earns a retail-rate credit (~$0.25-0.27/kWh) on your Cape Light Compact account. Credits are denominated in dollars, not kWh.
When your home draws from the grid (nights, cloudy days, winter), accumulated credits pay the bill. Monthly carry-forward — credits never expire mid-year.
At the end of your 12-month NEM cycle (April 1), any remaining credit balance is either carried forward or paid out at avoided-cost rate. Design your system to use ~95-100% of production annually.
Paid out at Eversource's avoided-cost rate (less than retail). To maximize value, size your system to consume all credits by March 31.
Net bill is zero for the year (or you owe the difference). Perfect sizing — system and usage are matched. No true-up payout needed.
Size to 90-100% of annual consumption. Avoid significant overproduction — credits left at true-up are worth less than retail.
The SMART program (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) is available to all Eversource distribution territory customers — including CLC members. This is separate income on top of net metering credits.
Enrollment through your installer. SMART capacity is limited — join the waitlist early. SMART income is paid monthly via Eversource credit — it appears on your bill as a credit separate from net metering, reducing your bill directly.
Cape Light Compact has historically offered community solar subscription opportunities through its Green Communities program. Subscribe to a portion of a shared solar array — often hosted on municipal land, landfills, or large commercial roofs. Credits applied to your CLC electric bill monthly.
How to join CLC Community Solar: Visit capelightcompact.org and check the Green Communities / Community Solar section for current program enrollment. Waitlists open periodically — sign up early. For homeowners with suitable rooftops, rooftop solar + SMART program typically delivers better long-term economics than community solar subscriptions.
Cape Light Compact customers are on Eversource's distribution grid, which means they qualify for Eversource's ConnectedSolutions demand response program — a significant income source for battery storage owners.
Per kW of battery capacity during peak demand events (typically 3pm–8pm, June–August)
Per kW of battery capacity for winter events (typically Oct–April evening peak hours)
For a 10 kW battery (Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 10+) enrolled in both summer and winter programs
All Cape Light Compact towns share the same coastal environment. These factors affect installation cost and design for any CLC customer.
All CLC towns are within salt-air influence. Marine-grade anodized aluminum racking, stainless-steel fasteners, and microinverters (no exposed DC wiring) are strongly recommended. Budget $500-$1,500 extra vs. inland MA installations. This equipment lasts 30+ years vs. 15-20 for standard hardware in the marine environment.
Cape Cod's geographic exposure means all installations must meet elevated wind load requirements (90-115+ mph design winds per ASCE 7-22). Engineered racking with increased attachment points per module is required. Oceanfront properties in outer Cape (Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Provincetown) have the highest wind requirements.
Provincetown's Historic District Commission and Sandwich Center's historic overlay require HDC review for solar installations. MA law (c.40A §3) gives solar "preferred" status but allows review for aesthetics. All-black panels, low-profile mounting, and rear-of-ridge placement are common solutions for HDC approval.
Cape Cod's outwash plains create sandy soil conditions that affect ground mount foundations. Helical pier anchors (screw piles) are preferred over concrete footings in sandy soil. Many Cape homeowners with larger lots (especially outer Cape) prefer ground mounts to avoid rooftop installation complexity.
Every town listed below receives electricity supply through Cape Light Compact. All are eligible for net metering, SMART program, and ConnectedSolutions through Eversource's distribution infrastructure.
Martha's Vineyard receives electricity via submarine cable from the mainland. Solar net metering and SMART work identically, but installation costs are 15-25% higher due to island logistics. Nantucket is NOT served by CLC — it uses Nantucket Electric.
Cape Light Compact (CLC) is a municipal aggregation serving all 15 Cape Cod towns plus 6 Martha's Vineyard towns — 21 towns total in Barnstable and Dukes counties. CLC negotiates competitive electricity supply rates in bulk on behalf of its member towns' residents and businesses. The actual electricity distribution (wires, poles, metering, outage response) is handled by Eversource under the same distribution infrastructure used elsewhere on Cape Cod.
Yes. CLC customers receive full 1:1 retail-rate net metering credits. Since Eversource owns the distribution infrastructure, solar net metering follows the standard Eversource NEM tariff. Every kWh you export earns a credit equal to your full retail rate (~$0.25-0.27/kWh). Credits roll forward monthly and the annual true-up is April 1.
Yes. The SMART program is available to all Eversource territory customers, and CLC customers use Eversource's distribution grid. As long as your system is ≤25 kW AC and grid-connected, you qualify. SMART pays $0.03/kWh for 20 years based on production — separate from net metering credits. Your installer enrolls the system in SMART at commissioning.
Yes. The ConnectedSolutions program is run by Eversource based on the distribution grid. CLC customers are on Eversource's distribution grid, so they are eligible. Eversource pays $275/kW for summer demand response events and $50/kW for winter events. A 10 kW battery (Powerwall 3) typically earns $900-$1,600/year through this program.
CLC's blended all-in rate is approximately $0.25-0.27/kWh in 2026, which is slightly below Eversource's standard rate (~$0.2836/kWh) due to CLC's bulk supply negotiation. Your exact rate depends on CLC's current program year supply rate. You can verify your current rate on your monthly bill or at capelightcompact.org.
Your solar installer handles all utility notifications as part of the interconnection process. They file with Eversource (the distribution company) for net metering interconnection. CLC is notified automatically through the Eversource process. You don't need to contact CLC separately — just work with a licensed MA solar installer.
Martha's Vineyard has the same CLC municipal aggregation as Cape Cod, but the island's electricity comes via an undersea submarine cable from mainland grid. Solar works identically for NEM and SMART program purposes. The island's remoteness means fewer installer options and slightly higher installation costs ($3.30-$3.80/W) due to logistics. Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury are all CLC member towns.
Cape Light Compact has offered community solar subscriptions through its Green Communities program. These programs allow renters, condo owners, and those with unsuitable rooftops to subscribe to a portion of a shared solar array and receive credits on their CLC bill. Availability varies by year — check capelightcompact.org for current program status. Community solar typically offers 10-15% savings on the supply portion of your bill.
NuWatt installs solar throughout all 21 CLC towns — from Bourne to Provincetown, and across Martha's Vineyard. Get a free quote from a team that knows Cape Cod solar inside and out.