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Get a Free QuoteGet paid for grid support during peak demand events. Your battery earns quarterly payments while keeping your backup power protected.
ConnectedSolutions is Massachusetts' demand response program where home battery owners earn money by discharging their battery to the grid during peak demand events. Instead of firing up expensive "peaker" power plants on hot summer afternoons, utilities pay you to share your stored energy.
Administered by Eversource and National Grid, the program pays you based on your battery's enrolled capacity (kW). You keep a backup reserve for outages, and events are capped at 60 hours per year. Most participants earn between $275 and $3,250 annually depending on battery size and utility.
Eversource Summer
$275
per kW
National Grid Summer
$275
per kW
Winter Bonus
$50
per kW (both utilities)
Max Events
60
hours per year
Rates verified June 2026 against masssave.com and Eversource and National Grid's own program pages — both list $275 per average kW for the Massachusetts summer season (see Sources below). You will still see guides quote $225/kW for Massachusetts; that figure is actually the Rhode Island ConnectedSolutions rate, and some sources confuse the two. For a Massachusetts battery, use $275/kW.
Your ConnectedSolutions earnings depend on your battery's enrolled dispatch power (kW) — the sustained output it commits to the grid during an event — not its nameplate kWh. The rows below use honest continuous-power figures per model from our verified battery catalog; a battery's short peak rating is higher but cannot be held for a full multi-hour event. Higher enrolled kW earns proportionally more.
| Battery Size | Example | Eversource Summer + Winter | National Grid Summer + Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.84 kW enrolled | Enphase IQ Battery 5P (×1) | $1,056 + $192 $1,248/yr | $1,056 + $192 $1,248/yr |
| 7 kW enrolled | Enphase IQ Battery 10C / 2× 5P | $1,925 + $350 $2,275/yr | $1,925 + $350 $2,275/yr |
| 10 kW enrolled | Tesla Powerwall 3 / Franklin aPower 2 | $2,750 + $500 $3,250/yr | $2,750 + $500 $3,250/yr |
Revenue assumes full participation in all called events. Actual earnings may vary based on dispatch performance and number of events called per season. Summer season (June-September) generates the majority of revenue.
Have a ConnectedSolutions-eligible battery installed by a participating installer. The installer handles technical setup and enrollment paperwork.
Enroll in ConnectedSolutions through Eversource or National Grid. Your installer typically submits the enrollment on your behalf.
During peak demand events (hot summer afternoons, cold winter evenings), your battery automatically discharges to the grid while keeping your backup reserve intact.
Earn payments based on your enrolled capacity and dispatch performance. Payments are issued quarterly and based on $/kW rates.
If you have solar, add the SMART 3.0 battery adder ($0.04/kWh) for an additional revenue stream on top of your ConnectedSolutions payments.
These battery systems are eligible for ConnectedSolutions enrollment in Massachusetts. What the program pays on is enrolled dispatch power — the continuous kW your battery can sustain across a multi-hour event — so the continuous rating below matters more than nameplate kWh. Modular batteries like the Enphase IQ 5P can be stacked to raise enrolled kW. Your installer confirms the exact enrolled capacity with the utility at registration.
13.5 kWh / 11.5 kW continuous
Highest continuous output we install. Integrated inverter; more sustained power means more enrolled kW per unit. Tesla Gateway required for ConnectedSolutions.
13.5 kWh / 5 kW continuous
Still the most widely installed Powerwall in MA. Gateway required for enrollment.
5 kWh / 3.84 kW continuous
Modular — add 5 kWh units to raise both capacity and enrolled kW. 15-year warranty.
10 kWh / 7.08 kW continuous
Higher single-unit output than the 5P; pairs with Enphase microinverter systems. 15-year warranty.
15 kWh / 10 kW continuous
Largest single-unit battery we install. American assembly, LFP chemistry, stacks for whole-home backup.
10 kWh / 4.8 kW continuous
Built-in smart energy management. German engineering; one of the longest cycle warranties in the industry.
9.7 kWh / 5 kW continuous
Works within the SolarEdge inverter ecosystem. DC-coupled design.
18 kWh / 9 kW continuous
Scalable modular battery popular for whole-home backup (NMC chemistry).
16 kWh / 7 kW continuous
High energy density. DC-coupled with compatible inverters.
20 kWh / 8 kW continuous
Premium tier with smart-home integration and a 10,000+ cycle warranty.
Massachusetts is one of the only states where you can stack a production-based incentive (SMART 3.0) with demand response payments (ConnectedSolutions). Here is what that looks like with an 11 kW solar system and 10 kW battery on Eversource.
SMART 3.0 Base
$0.03/kWh x 11 kW x 1,200 kWh/kW
$396/yr
SMART Battery Adder
$0.04/kWh additional
$528/yr
ConnectedSolutions
$275/kW summer + $50/kW winter
$3,250/yr
Total Annual Revenue
$4,174/yr
This is battery + solar incentive revenue only. Additional savings from net metering bill credits (1:1 retail rate at ~$0.36/kWh) and state tax exemptions are on top of this.
You can pair ConnectedSolutions income with 0% financing on the hardware. Since January 2025 the Mass Save HEAT Loan offers 0% interest on up to $25,000 (it is no longer the old $50,000 program — that figure is outdated). Battery storage is an eligible measure when installed alongside qualifying Mass Save work, so a financed battery can be earning ConnectedSolutions payments while you pay it off interest-free.
HEAT Loan eligibility, eligible measures, and the lender list are set by Mass Save and change periodically — confirm current terms at masssave.com and with your participating lender before you count on it. The 0%-up-to-$25,000 structure is current as of June 2026.
Territory: Eastern MA (Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod, MetroWest, Western MA)
Territory: Central and Southeast MA (Worcester, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River)
Unitil Energy does not participate in ConnectedSolutions. Customers in the Unitil service area (Fitchburg, Lunenburg) cannot enroll.
Unitil customers can still install batteries for backup power and earn SMART 3.0 battery adder income ($0.04/kWh) if paired with solar.
Territory: Small area in north-central MA (Fitchburg, Lunenburg)
Eversource or National Grid customer in Massachusetts
Unitil does not participate
Qualifying battery system installed (minimum 5 kW capacity)
See qualifying batteries list above
Battery installed by ConnectedSolutions-participating installer
Installer handles enrollment paperwork
5-year enrollment commitment (recommended)
Maximizes earnings stability. Annual enrollment also possible.
Solar panels (for SMART 3.0 battery adder stacking)
Solar is NOT required for ConnectedSolutions alone
Smart thermostat or EV charger (separate enrollment)
Can enroll these devices separately from your battery
Federal Tax Credit Note (2026)
The federal residential solar ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit for homeowner battery or solar purchases in 2026. However, if you finance through a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner can still claim Section 48/48E (projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026) and pass savings through as a lower rate. ConnectedSolutions payments are separate from tax credits and remain fully available.
These are two completely different mechanisms — and the good news is they are compatible. Net metering credits the solar energy you export to the grid; ConnectedSolutions pays your battery to discharge during peak demand events. You earn both, on the same system, without one reducing the other.
| Dimension | Net Metering | ConnectedSolutions |
|---|---|---|
| What it pays for | Solar energy you export to the grid | Battery power you discharge during peak events |
| How you are credited | Bill credits at the retail electricity rate | Cash payments per enrolled kW of battery power |
| Requires solar? | Yes — it is a solar export program | No — battery-only systems can enroll |
| Requires a battery? | No | Yes |
| When value is created | Year-round, whenever you over-produce | During called events (summer June 1–Sep 30) |
| Can you have both? | Yes — they stack on one system | Yes — dispatch income on top of solar credits |
The compounding effect: A solar-plus-battery home in Eversource or National Grid territory earns retail-rate net metering credits on exported solar and ConnectedSolutions dispatch payments on the same battery — neither program reduces the other. For your specific utility's current retail rate, see our MA net metering guide.
Enrollment is handled by your installer or aggregator — you do not need to negotiate with the utility yourself. Here is exactly how a battery gets into ConnectedSolutions and how dispatch works.
Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ 5P/10T, Franklin aPower2, SolarEdge, Generac, sonnen, and LG RESU all qualify. Your installer confirms the model is registered with the utility's demand-response platform.
Your installer or aggregator submits enrollment through the Eversource or National Grid program portal. They link your battery's control system so the utility can signal dispatch events.
From June 1 to September 30, the utility calls events on high-demand afternoons (Eversource: 3–8 PM, 2–3 hours). Your battery automatically discharges above your backup reserve — no action needed.
You can decline any individual event from your app — for example to hold a full charge before a storm. Occasional opt-outs carry no penalty; they only lower that season's performance-based payment proportionally.
One of the most misunderstood parts of the program is how long your dispatch rate is guaranteed. The two utilities handle it differently.
National Grid locks your $275 per average kW daily-dispatch rate for the first 5 summers of enrollment (summer season June 1–September 30). That gives you a predictable income window — the per-kW rate cannot be cut on you mid-window.
Eversource pays the same $275 per average kW daily-dispatch rate per season, but sets it by program year rather than guaranteeing a multi-summer lock. Events run 3–8 PM for 2–3 hours during the June 1–September 30 season.
Here is the math behind the headline number, using Eversource's own published example (as of June 2026).
National Grid uses the same $275 per average kW rate; its own published example puts average participant earnings at roughly $1,200/year, with the rate locked for your first 5 summers of enrollment. Larger batteries scale proportionally — a 10 kW system earns roughly twice as much.
With a 5-year enrollment commitment, here is the estimated total revenue from ConnectedSolutions alone (not including SMART or net metering).
Enphase IQ Battery 5P (×1)
Eversource (5 yr)
$6,240
National Grid (5 yr)
$6,240
Enphase IQ Battery 10C / 2× 5P
Eversource (5 yr)
$11,375
National Grid (5 yr)
$11,375
Tesla Powerwall 3 / Franklin aPower 2
Eversource (5 yr)
$16,250
National Grid (5 yr)
$16,250
Is a battery worth it if you do not enroll in ConnectedSolutions? Here is a side-by-side comparison for a 10kWh battery on Eversource territory with an 11kW solar system.
Battery for backup only
Battery earns revenue + backup
Bottom line: ConnectedSolutions turns a battery from a 11–15 year payback proposition into a 2.5–3.5 year payback. On Eversource, a 10kW battery generates $3,250/year in ConnectedSolutions alone — making it one of the best investments in home energy in Massachusetts. Backup power during outages is a valuable bonus, not the sole justification.
No. You set a backup reserve level (typically 20-30%) that ConnectedSolutions will never touch. During dispatch events, only the portion above your reserve is discharged to the grid. Your backup power for outages remains protected.
Yes. ConnectedSolutions dispatch events only occur when the grid is operating normally during peak demand. During an actual outage, your battery switches to backup mode automatically and powers your home as designed. Grid outages and demand response events are mutually exclusive.
The summer battery season runs June 1 through September 30. Events are typically called on hot weekday afternoons — Eversource dispatches between 3 and 8 PM for 2 to 3 hours each. Across a season most batteries are dispatched a few dozen hours total. A separate winter incentive is set annually by the Program Administrator; summer-only participation is allowed.
Yes. ConnectedSolutions is a passive, opt-out program — your battery dispatches automatically, but you can decline any individual event (for example, if you want to hold a full charge ahead of a forecast storm). Your seasonal payment is performance-based, so opting out of an event lowers that season's earnings proportionally, but there is no penalty for an occasional opt-out. Consistent non-participation can reduce future payments. Check your enrollment agreement for specifics.
The impact is modest. Events are short (typically 2-3 hours) and capped, so a battery enrolled all summer adds only a few dozen extra discharge cycles per year on top of normal daily use. Modern LFP batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3, Franklin aPower2, sonnen) are rated for thousands of cycles and carry 10-15 year warranties that remain valid during ConnectedSolutions participation. The seasonal income far exceeds the marginal wear cost.
The battery program is anchored on the summer season (June 1–September 30), which is where the bulk of earnings come from. A winter incentive is set annually by the Program Administrator and is generally smaller than the summer rate; both utilities allow summer-only participation. Treat summer as the dependable revenue and any winter incentive as an annually-confirmed bonus rather than a guaranteed figure.
Yes. Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3 (with a Tesla Gateway), and Enphase IQ Battery 5P / 10T systems are all ConnectedSolutions-eligible, along with SolarEdge, Generac PWRcell, Franklin aPower2, sonnen, and LG RESU. Enrollment runs through your installer or aggregator, who registers your battery with the utility's demand-response platform. Because payments are based on dispatch power (kW), higher-power batteries like the Powerwall 3 earn more per unit.
No. ConnectedSolutions is a battery-only program — you can enroll a standalone battery without solar. Pairing solar with a battery does two extra things: it recharges the battery for free between events, and it can qualify you for the SMART 3.0 battery storage adder, a separate per-kWh incentive that stacks on top of ConnectedSolutions. See our SMART storage adder guide for current adder details.
Yes. ConnectedSolutions (a demand-response payment per enrolled kW) and the SMART 3.0 battery storage adder (a per-kWh production incentive for solar-paired storage) are separate programs that stack — you earn both at once, on top of net metering bill credits. Massachusetts is one of the few states where this kind of stacking is possible. Current SMART adder rates are covered on our dedicated SMART adders page.
Often, yes. Battery storage is an eligible measure under the Mass Save HEAT Loan when installed alongside qualifying Mass Save work, and since January 2025 the HEAT Loan offers 0% interest on up to $25,000 — note it is no longer the older $50,000 program. That lets a financed battery earn ConnectedSolutions payments while you repay it interest-free. Eligible measures, the lender list, and loan terms are set by Mass Save and change periodically, so confirm current eligibility at masssave.com and with a participating lender before you rely on it. The 0%-up-to-$25,000 structure is current as of June 2026.
National Grid locks your per-kW dispatch rate for the first 5 summers of enrollment, giving you predictable income through that window. After those 5 summers, you continue participating at whatever the then-current program rate is — you are not removed from the program, and your battery keeps earning; the rate simply resets to the prevailing schedule. Eversource sets its rate by program year rather than guaranteeing a 5-summer lock, so confirm current terms at enrollment.
Massachusetts has among the highest residential electric rates in the continental US ($0.36–$0.45/kWh depending on your utility). With Section 25D expired, your solar system costs more upfront, but the combination of 1:1 net metering, SMART 3.0 payments, ConnectedSolutions revenue, and state tax exemptions still produces a strong financial return.
A typical 11 kW solar + 10 kW battery system on Eversource generates over $4,174/year in SMART + ConnectedSolutions revenue alone, before counting thousands more in net metering bill credits. That kind of stacking is unique to Massachusetts. See every stackable program in our full MA solar incentives guide.
If you finance through a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner claims Section 48/48E (still available for projects starting before July 4, 2026) and passes the savings through as a below-retail electricity rate.
Battery costs, backup capability, and ConnectedSolutions income compared by model.
Read moreThe battery storage adder and other SMART 3.0 adders that stack with ConnectedSolutions.
Read morePowerwall pricing, eligibility, and how it earns in ConnectedSolutions.
Read moreEstimate your payback with ConnectedSolutions, SMART, and net metering combined.
Read moreConnectedSolutions battery dispatch rates verified against masssave.com and each utility's own program page, as of June 2026. Both Eversource and National Grid list a $275 per average kW daily-dispatch rate for the Massachusetts summer season (June 1–September 30). The winter incentive is set annually by the Program Administrator, and summer-only participation is allowed. A widely-copied $225/kW figure circulates for Massachusetts but is actually the Rhode Island ConnectedSolutions rate — some sources confuse the two. Both Massachusetts utilities' current program pages list $275/kW.
Find out how much you can earn with ConnectedSolutions. Our team designs systems optimized for maximum revenue stacking in Massachusetts.
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