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Get a Free QuoteYour Eversource electric bill has gone up 47% in the last decade. It is going to keep going up. Here is exactly how much rates have increased year by year, why they are rising, and what projected rates look like through 2030. This is why solar becomes more valuable every single year you own it.
Average all-in residential rate (supply + distribution + transmission + charges) for Eversource Massachusetts customers. Data from EIA, DPU filings, and Eversource rate schedules.
| Year | Avg Rate ($/kWh) | YoY Change | Monthly Bill (750 kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $0.190 | — | $143 | Baseline — relatively stable period |
| 2017 | $0.197 | +3.7% | $148 | Modest increase, gas prices stable |
| 2018 | $0.208 | +5.6% | $156 | Winter gas price spike (January 2018 bomb cyclone) |
| 2019 | $0.215 | +3.4% | $161 | Grid modernization investments begin |
| 2020 | $0.218 | +1.4% | $164 | COVID demand reduction partially offset increase |
| 2021 | $0.229 | +5.0% | $172 | Post-COVID recovery, gas price recovery |
| 2022 | $0.267 | +16.6% | $200 | Record increase — European energy crisis, LNG price spike |
| 2023 | $0.282 | +5.6% | $211 | Continued high supply costs, grid hardening investment |
| 2024 | $0.277 | -1.8% | $208 | Slight relief — lower wholesale gas, new supply contracts |
| 2025 | $0.280 | +1.1% | $210 | Distribution rate case increases, supply relatively flat |
| 2026 | $0.284 | +1.4% | $213 | Current rate — grid modernization + offshore wind transmission |
* Rates are annual averages for Eversource MA residential basic service customers. Actual rates vary by rate class, season, and whether using basic service or competitive supply. Monthly bill based on 750 kWh usage (MA average). Sources: EIA, DPU filings, Eversource tariff schedules.
Massachusetts generates approximately 70% of its electricity from natural gas. Any spike in gas prices (as in 2022) directly hits your electric bill. Limited pipeline capacity into New England means MA pays higher gas prices than most US markets.
Eversource has filed a $1.2 billion grid modernization plan with the DPU, covering smart meters, underground conversion, and storm hardening. These costs are passed through to ratepayers over 10-15 years. Distribution charges have risen faster than supply charges since 2020.
New England imports significant power from other regions. Transmission costs have increased as aging infrastructure requires replacement and new lines are built for offshore wind interconnection. ISO New England transmission charges have doubled since 2016.
Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires increasing percentages of clean energy. Compliance costs are passed to ratepayers but are a relatively small portion of the total bill ($0.01-0.02/kWh). Offshore wind contracts will add to this in 2027+.
More frequent nor'easters, ice storms, and coastal flooding have increased Eversource's maintenance and repair costs. The utility has invested heavily in underground conversion, vegetation management, and flood-resistant equipment — all passed through to ratepayers.
Based on the 10-year trend, Eversource DPU filings, infrastructure investment plans, and projected natural gas prices, we model three scenarios for future Eversource residential rates.
| Year | Conservative (+3%/yr) | Mid-Range (+4%/yr) | High (+5%/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Actual) | $0.284/kWh | ||
| 2027 | $0.292 | $0.298 | $0.305 |
| 2028 | $0.301 | $0.312 | $0.323 |
| 2029 | $0.310 | $0.327 | $0.342 |
| 2030 | $0.319 | $0.343 | $0.362 |
Rate increases compound. At 4% annual increases, your $213/month Eversource bill (750 kWh at $0.284) becomes:
Over 25 years at 4% annual increases, a household using 750 kWh/month will pay an estimated $105,000+ in total electricity costs. With solar, that same household locks in its rate at installation.
Solar panels produce electricity at a fixed cost per kWh over their lifetime. Every time Eversource raises rates, the gap between what you would have paid and what your solar system costs widens. Here is a concrete example:
Your Solar Cost
$0.085/kWh
Fixed for 25 years. This is your effective electricity rate with solar.
Eversource Today
$0.284/kWh
Current rate. Already 3.3x your solar cost.
Eversource 2030
~$0.343/kWh
Projected rate (mid scenario). 4x your solar cost.
Your Eversource bill has multiple components, and each one has been increasing at different rates. Understanding these components helps you see why solar is effective:
| Bill Component | 2016 | 2026 | 10-yr Change | Solar Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply (Generation) | $0.095 | $0.145 | +53% | Fully offset by solar production |
| Distribution | $0.058 | $0.087 | +50% | Reduced via net metering credits |
| Transmission | $0.025 | $0.038 | +52% | Reduced via net metering credits |
| Transition / Charges | $0.012 | $0.014 | +17% | Some fixed charges remain |
| Total | $0.190 | $0.284 | +49% | 85-95% offset with properly sized solar |
Serves ~1.4M customers in eastern and western MA. Includes Boston metro, Cape Cod, South Shore, and western MA.
10-year average increase: 3.9%/yr
Serves ~1.3M customers in central and western MA. Includes Worcester, Springfield, and surrounding areas.
10-year average increase: 4.2%/yr
Both are among the most expensive in the continental US. The national average residential rate is approximately $0.16/kWh. Massachusetts ratepayers pay 75-100% more than the national average. This makes Massachusetts one of the best states in the country for solar economics — higher rates mean more savings per kWh of solar production.
Eversource residential electric rates in Massachusetts have increased from approximately $0.19/kWh in 2016 to $0.28/kWh in 2026 — a 47% increase over 10 years. The average annual increase has been approximately 3.9%. The sharpest increases occurred in 2022-2023, driven by natural gas price spikes following global energy market disruptions.
Eversource rates increase due to several factors: rising natural gas prices (MA generates ~70% of electricity from gas), grid infrastructure upgrades required by the state, transmission costs for importing power, clean energy compliance costs, and storm hardening investments. Distribution charges and transmission charges have both increased significantly since 2020.
As of early 2026, the average Eversource residential rate in Massachusetts is approximately $0.2836/kWh (all-in, including supply, distribution, transmission, and charges). This varies slightly by rate class and whether you use basic service or a competitive supplier. National Grid residential rates are even higher at approximately $0.32/kWh.
Based on the 10-year trend, regulatory filings, and infrastructure investment plans, we project Eversource residential rates will increase 3-5% annually through at least 2030. This would put rates at $0.33-$0.36/kWh by 2030. Key drivers include ongoing grid modernization ($1.2B investment), offshore wind transmission costs, and continued gas price volatility.
Solar panels lock in your electricity cost at the time of installation. If your solar system produces electricity at an effective cost of $0.08-0.12/kWh (cost divided by 25-year production), you are protected against every future rate increase. At current Eversource rates of $0.28/kWh, you save $0.16-0.20/kWh from day one — and that savings grows every year as rates rise.
National Grid is currently more expensive. National Grid residential rates average approximately $0.32/kWh in Massachusetts versus Eversource at $0.28/kWh. However, Eversource serves a larger territory and has historically had steeper rate increases in some years. Both utilities are among the most expensive in the continental US.
Your Eversource bill has two main components: Supply charges (the cost of electricity generation, approximately $0.14-0.16/kWh in 2026) and Distribution/Transmission charges (the cost of delivering electricity to your home, approximately $0.12-0.14/kWh). Both components have increased over the past decade, but distribution costs have risen faster due to grid infrastructure investments.
Eversource rates have gone up 47% in 10 years. Solar locks in your electricity cost at installation. Every rate increase from now until 2050 makes your solar investment more valuable. Get a quote and see your savings projection.