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Get a Free QuoteMassachusetts has 41 municipal light plants serving ~350,000 customers. If you live in an MLP town, solar works differently: no SMART 3.0, no ConnectedSolutions, and variable net metering. This guide covers every MLP, what it means for solar, and which ones are worth it in 2026.
The 30% federal ITC for residential solar is gone for all homeowners, MLP and IOU alike. All figures on this page reflect $0 federal tax credit. The MA $1,000 state income tax credit and sales tax exemption still apply.
A municipal light plant (MLP) is a publicly owned electric utility operated by a city or town in Massachusetts. Created under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 164, MLPs have existed since the late 1800s and predate the modern investor-owned utility model. Today, 41 MLPs serve approximately 350,000 customers across the state.
Unlike Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil (the three investor-owned utilities, or IOUs), MLPs are non-profit, community-owned entities. They are governed by locally elected or appointed light boards, not shareholders. This gives them lower operating costs and typically lower rates, but also means they operate outside many state regulatory frameworks that benefit solar adopters.
The key distinction for solar: MLPs are exempt from MDPU (Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities) regulation on net metering, renewable portfolio standards, and most state incentive programs. Each MLP sets its own solar and net metering policies independently. This creates a patchwork of solar friendliness across the 41 utilities.
The differences are significant. MLP customers miss out on major state incentives but benefit from rates that are 30-50% lower. Here is the full breakdown.
| Feature | MLP (Municipal) | IOU (Eversource/NGrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Rate Regulation | Local board sets rates | MDPU approves rates |
| Avg Electric Rate | $0.14-0.20/kWh | $0.28-0.34/kWh |
| SMART 3.0 Incentive | Not eligible | $0.03/kWh for 20 years |
| ConnectedSolutions | Not eligible | $225-275/kW summer |
| Net Metering | MLP board policy (varies) | State law (M.G.L. c.164) |
| Solar Payback (est.) | 14-20 years | 7-10 years |
| 25-Year Savings (est.) | $40K-70K | $85K-115K |
| Renewable Portfolio Std | Exempt (voluntary) | Required (RPS) |
| Customer Service | Local, in-person | Call center, regional |
| Ownership | Town/city owned (public) | Shareholder owned (private) |
The SMART program pays IOU customers ~$0.03/kWh for 20 years. On a 10 kW system producing 12,000 kWh/year, that is $7,200 over the term. MLP customers get $0. This single difference extends payback by 3-5 years.
Battery owners in IOU territory earn $225-275/kW per summer through ConnectedSolutions demand response. A 13.5 kWh Powerwall could earn $1,350-1,850/summer. MLP battery owners get backup power only, no income.
IOU net metering is guaranteed by state law. MLP net metering depends on each utility board. Most offer full 1:1 credits, but some offer partial credits or have capacity limits that could change.
These six MLPs stand out for their combination of solar-friendly policies, local incentives, and higher-than-average rates that improve payback economics.
Solar rebate program, full 1:1 net metering, $0.225/kWh rate, Green Community designation, strong sustainability culture
Read Full GuideFull 1:1 net metering, $0.155/kWh rate, green program, affluent community with high solar adoption
Read Full GuideGreen program plus full net metering, $0.165/kWh rate, progressive energy policies
Read Full GuideSmartGrid program, full 1:1 net metering, $0.17/kWh, Green Community, proactive grid modernization
Read Full GuideSolar rebate available, full net metering, community solar projects, lowest MLP rate at $0.176/kWh offsets longer payback
Read Full GuideSolar incentive program, full 1:1 net metering, competitive rate, cable revenue subsidizes electric
Read Full GuideThese MLPs have policies or rate structures that make solar economics more challenging. Solar can still work, but do extra research first.
Partial net metering with capacity caps. Verify current policy before investing.
Limited net metering credits. Lower-than-average rate ($0.15) extends payback further.
No formal solar program, variable net metering policy. Small utility with less infrastructure.
Limited solar program, variable net metering, very low rate ($0.14) makes economics challenging.
No formal solar program, small service territory. Confirm net metering details before proceeding.
Every MLP with net metering policy, solar program status, average rate, and links to detailed NuWatt guides where available.
| # | MLP Name | Town(s) | Net Metering | Solar Program | Avg Rate | NuWatt Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant | Ashburnham | Varies | No formal program | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 2 | Belmont Light | Belmont | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.19/kWh | View Guide |
| 3 | Boylston Municipal Light Department | Boylston | Varies | Limited program | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 4 | Braintree Electric Light Department | Braintree | Full 1:1 | Green Choice program | $0.18/kWh | View Guide |
| 5 | Chester Municipal Light Department | Chester | Varies | No formal program | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 6 | Chicopee Electric Light | Chicopee | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 7 | Concord Municipal Light Plant | Concord | Full 1:1 | Solar rebate program | $0.20/kWh | View Guide |
| 8 | Danvers Electric Division | Danvers | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.17/kWh | View Guide |
| 9 | Georgetown Municipal Light Department | Georgetown | Varies | Limited program | $0.17/kWh | Coming soon |
| 10 | Groton Electric Light Department | Groton | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 11 | Groveland Electric Light Department | Groveland | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 12 | Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant | Hingham | Full 1:1 | Green program + net metering | $0.18/kWh | View Guide |
| 13 | Holden Municipal Light Department | Holden | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 14 | Holyoke Gas & Electric | Holyoke | Full 1:1 | Solar rebate + net metering | $0.11/kWh | View Guide |
| 15 | Hudson Light & Power | Hudson | Partial | Net metering with caps | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 16 | Hull Municipal Lighting Plant | Hull | Full 1:1 | Community wind + net metering | $0.17/kWh | Coming soon |
| 17 | Ipswich Electric Light Department | Ipswich | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 18 | Littleton Electric Light & Water | Littleton | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 19 | Mansfield Municipal Electric Department | Mansfield | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 20 | Marblehead Municipal Light Department | Marblehead | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.19/kWh | View Guide |
| 21 | Merrimac Municipal Light Department | Merrimac | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 22 | Middleborough Gas & Electric | Middleborough | Partial | Limited net metering | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 23 | Middleton Electric Light Department | Middleton | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 24 | North Attleborough Electric Department | North Attleborough | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 25 | Norwood Municipal Light Department | Norwood | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 26 | Paxton Municipal Light Department | Paxton | Varies | Limited program | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 27 | Peabody Municipal Light Plant | Peabody | Full 1:1 | Green Choice + net metering | $0.18/kWh | View Guide |
| 28 | Princeton Municipal Light Department | Princeton | Varies | Limited program | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 29 | Reading Municipal Light Department | Reading | Full 1:1 | SmartGrid + net metering | $0.18/kWh | View Guide |
| 30 | Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant | Rowley | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.16/kWh | Coming soon |
| 31 | Russell Municipal Light Department | Russell | Varies | No formal program | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 32 | Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations | Shrewsbury | Full 1:1 | Solar incentive + net metering | $0.14/kWh | View Guide |
| 33 | South Hadley Electric Light Department | South Hadley | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.13/kWh | Coming soon |
| 34 | Sterling Municipal Light Department | Sterling | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 35 | Sturbridge Electric Department | Sturbridge | Varies | No formal program | $0.15/kWh | Coming soon |
| 36 | Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant | Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, Raynham | Full 1:1 | Net metering + green option | $0.17/kWh | View Guide |
| 37 | Templeton Municipal Light & Water Plant | Templeton | Varies | Limited program | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 38 | Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light | Wakefield | Full 1:1 | Net metering available | $0.18/kWh | View Guide |
| 39 | Wellesley Municipal Light Plant | Wellesley | Full 1:1 | Green program + net metering | $0.19/kWh | View Guide |
| 40 | West Boylston Municipal Lighting Plant | West Boylston | Varies | Limited program | $0.14/kWh | Coming soon |
| 41 | Westfield Gas & Electric | Westfield | Full 1:1 | Net metering + solar initiative | $0.15/kWh | View Guide |
Note: Rates shown are approximate average residential rates as of early 2026 and include all charges (supply + delivery). MLP rates change periodically at the discretion of each utility board. Contact your MLP directly for current rates. Net metering policies are also subject to change without MDPU oversight.
Look at the top of your electric bill for the utility name. If it says Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil, you are on an IOU. If it shows a town name like "Belmont Light," "Reading Municipal Light," or "Wellesley Municipal Light Plant," you are on an MLP.
Enter your address in our solar utility finder tool to instantly identify whether you are on an MLP or IOU and see the relevant solar guide for your utility.
Living in an MLP town does not always mean you are served by that MLP. Some addresses near town borders may be on an IOU. This is especially common in towns like Wellesley (border with Needham/Eversource) and Concord (border with Acton/National Grid). Your bill is the definitive answer.
The Massachusetts Green Communities Act allows municipalities to earn "Green Community" designation by meeting five criteria: adopting local zoning for renewable energy, expediting permitting, establishing an energy baseline, committing to a 20% energy reduction within 5 years, and purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles. Towns that qualify receive state grant funding for energy projects.
Several MLP towns have earned this designation, including Wellesley, Concord, Reading, Hingham, Danvers, Braintree, Peabody, Shrewsbury, Wakefield, Hull, Littleton, Norwood, North Attleborough, and others. Green Community MLPs tend to have more progressive solar policies, better net metering terms, and a culture of sustainability that supports residential solar adoption.
If your MLP town is a Green Community, that is a positive indicator for solar. These municipalities are more likely to maintain favorable net metering policies and may introduce local solar incentives.
Most Massachusetts MLPs are members of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), a non-profit, public corporation that provides joint action services to municipal light plants. MMWEC helps MLPs with power supply planning, renewable energy procurement, and regulatory representation.
Through MMWEC, some MLPs participate in group solar and renewable energy purchases that bring utility-scale solar to MLP territory. These aggregation programs lower costs through collective bargaining power and allow smaller MLPs to access renewable energy that they could not procure individually.
Additionally, several MLPs participate in the Energy New England (ENE) cooperative for power supply management and renewable energy credit (REC) transactions. While MLPs are exempt from the state Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), many voluntarily pursue renewable energy targets to align with community sustainability goals.
For homeowners, this means your MLP may already be sourcing some renewable energy. When evaluating rooftop solar, ask your MLP about their current renewable energy mix and whether they offer a green pricing option that would complement your solar installation.
Let us be straightforward: solar economics are weaker in MLP territory than IOU territory. The math does not lie. But "weaker" does not mean "bad" — it means you need realistic expectations.
MLP solar payback is roughly double the IOU payback. But remember: you are already paying 30-50% less per month than your IOU neighbors. Over 25 years, the combined benefit of lower rates plus solar savings still makes MLP homeownership cheaper. Solar is a longer game in MLP territory, but it still works if you plan to stay 10+ years.
Every MLP has different interconnection requirements, system size caps, and net metering terms. Call your utility office directly and ask for their written solar/net metering policy. Do not rely on what a solar salesperson tells you about your MLP.
Without the federal ITC and SMART 3.0, loan interest compounds the already-longer payback. If you can pay cash, your 25-year return is significantly better. If you must finance, shop for rates under 5% and keep the term under 15 years.
With lower rates, oversizing your system means excess credits that may not carry forward at full value. Size your system to offset 90-100% of annual usage, not more. Your installer should model this carefully with your actual MLP rate.
A 25+ year system life matters more when payback takes 15+ years. Choose Tier 1 panels with 25-year performance warranties and microinverters or optimizers with 25-year warranties. Do not cut corners on equipment to save a few hundred dollars.
If you are planning to move within 8-10 years, MLP solar may not pay back before you sell. Solar does add home value, but the equation is tighter than in IOU territory. Run the numbers for your specific timeline.
Some national solar companies avoid MLP towns because the economics are harder to sell. Local Massachusetts installers often have more MLP experience. Get at least 3 quotes and ask each installer about their experience with your specific MLP.
MLP customers excluded from Mass Save and SMART programs have fewer financing paths. NuWatt Propel offers $0 down solar with fixed monthly payments and full ownership at year 5 — no lease, no PPA. Massachusetts is currently on the waitlist. Join the Propel waitlist.
Common questions about Massachusetts municipal light plants and solar energy.
NuWatt knows MLP territory. We will give you real numbers based on your specific MLP rate, net metering policy, roof, and timeline. If solar does not make sense for you, we will tell you.
How SMART works for IOU customers and why MLP customers are excluded.
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Read GuideEnter your address to find your utility and get the right solar guide.
Read GuideComplete solar guide for Belmont Municipal Light customers.
Read GuideSolar economics, net metering, and tips for Wellesley MLP customers.
Read GuideStatewide analysis of solar economics without the federal ITC.
Read GuideSolar rebate program, net metering, and payback for Concord MLP.
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