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Get 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 $225 and $3,250 annually depending on battery size and utility.
Eversource Summer
$275
per kW
National Grid Summer
$225
per kW
Winter Bonus
$50
per kW (both utilities)
Max Events
60
hours per year
Your ConnectedSolutions earnings depend on your battery's power capacity (kW) and your utility. Larger batteries earn proportionally more.
| Battery Size | Example | Eversource Summer + Winter | National Grid Summer + Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | Enphase IQ 5P | $1,375 + $250 $1,625/yr | $1,125 + $250 $1,375/yr |
| 10 kW | Tesla Powerwall 3 | $2,750 + $500 $3,250/yr | $2,250 + $500 $2,750/yr |
| 13.5 kW | Tesla Powerwall 2 (x1) | $3,713 + $675 $4,388/yr | $3,038 + $675 $3,713/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. All must have a minimum of 5 kW power capacity.
13.5 kWh / 5 kW continuous
Most installed battery in MA. Gateway required for ConnectedSolutions.
13.5 kWh / 11.5 kW continuous
Integrated inverter. Higher power output means more revenue per unit.
5 kWh / 3.84 kW
Modular design. Add multiple units to increase enrolled capacity.
10 kWh / 3.84 kW
Pairs with Enphase microinverter systems. Good for mid-size installs.
9.7 kWh / 5 kW
Works with SolarEdge inverter ecosystem. 400V high-voltage design.
9-18 kWh / 4.5-9 kW
Scalable modular battery. Popular for whole-home backup.
10-20 kWh / 4.8-8 kW
Smart home integration. Long cycle life (10,000+ cycles).
16 kWh / 5.8 kW
High energy density. DC-coupled with compatible inverters.
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 ~$0.28/kWh) and state tax exemptions are on top of this.
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.
With a 5-year enrollment commitment, here is the estimated total revenue from ConnectedSolutions alone (not including SMART or net metering).
Enphase IQ 5P
Eversource (5 yr)
$8,125
National Grid (5 yr)
$6,875
Tesla Powerwall 3
Eversource (5 yr)
$16,250
National Grid (5 yr)
$13,750
Tesla Powerwall 2 (x1)
Eversource (5 yr)
$21,940
National Grid (5 yr)
$18,565
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.
Events are capped at 60 hours per year. Summer events (June-September) are typically called on hot weekday afternoons between 2-7 PM when AC demand peaks. In practice, most batteries are dispatched 30-50 hours per summer season. Winter events (December-March) are less frequent.
No. ConnectedSolutions is a battery-only program. You can enroll a standalone battery system without solar panels. However, pairing solar with a battery provides free daily recharging and qualifies you for additional SMART 3.0 battery adder income ($0.04/kWh) on top of ConnectedSolutions payments.
Your annual payment is based on actual performance during events. Missing events reduces your payment proportionally. Most programs allow occasional opt-outs without penalty, but consistent non-participation may result in reduced payments or removal from the program. Check your specific enrollment agreement for details.
Yes. ConnectedSolutions and the SMART 3.0 battery adder ($0.04/kWh) are separate programs that stack. A 10 kW battery with 11 kW of solar on Eversource can earn up to $3,250/year from ConnectedSolutions plus $528/year from the SMART battery adder, totaling $3,778/year in battery-related revenue alone.
No. Unitil Energy does not participate in the ConnectedSolutions program. Only Eversource and National Grid customers in Massachusetts can enroll. Unitil serves a small area in north-central MA (Fitchburg, Lunenburg). If you are a Unitil customer, you can still install a battery for backup power and SMART 3.0 adder income, but ConnectedSolutions revenue is not available.
A 5-year enrollment commitment is recommended to maximize your earnings. The program has been running since 2019 and is expected to continue as Massachusetts works toward its clean energy goals. Annual re-enrollment is possible but a multi-year commitment provides payment stability.
Massachusetts has the highest residential electric rates in the continental US (~$0.33/kWh average). 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.
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.
Find out how much you can earn with ConnectedSolutions. Our team designs systems optimized for maximum revenue stacking in Massachusetts.
Free consultation. No obligation. NABCEP certified installers.