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Massachusetts offers 1:1 retail-rate net metering for residential solar. Every kWh your panels produce offsets a full retail-rate kWh on your bill. Learn the rules, classes, utility specifics, and how to maximize your savings.
Massachusetts offers full 1:1 retail-rate net metering credits for residential solar systems up to 25 kW (Class I). All three investor-owned utilities — Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil — participate. Excess credits roll over monthly at full retail value. At the annual true-up, remaining excess is paid out at the wholesale avoided-cost rate. Combined with the SMART program incentive (~$396/year for an 11 kW system), total annual value reaches ~$3,119/year.
Net metering turns your rooftop into a personal power plant. The grid acts as a free virtual battery, storing your excess and giving it back when you need it.
Your solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. It first powers your home's loads. Any surplus is automatically sent to the electric grid.
When you export electricity to the grid, your bidirectional meter tracks the reverse flow. Each exported kWh becomes a credit at the full retail rate.
Excess credits roll over from month to month automatically. Spring and summer overproduction is banked to offset higher winter bills when production is lower.
At your annual true-up date (April for Eversource, March for National Grid/Unitil), remaining credits are paid out at the wholesale avoided-cost rate (~$0.03-$0.05/kWh). Size your system to minimize annual excess.
Massachusetts classifies net metering systems into three classes based on size. Your class determines the value of your credit.
Residential
Most homeowners fall here. Full retail value for every kWh exported.
Small commercial
Small business and multi-family. Slightly reduced credit after minimum charge.
Large commercial / community
Large-scale projects. Credit rate negotiated with utility.
You're Almost Certainly Class I
If you are a homeowner with a residential solar system, your system will be under 25 kW and qualify for Class I credits — the highest credit rate. Most MA homes install 6-12 kW systems, well under the 25 kW threshold.
All three Massachusetts investor-owned utilities offer 1:1 net metering credits, but their electric rates — and therefore your credit value — differ.
| Eversource | National Grid | Unitil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg rate/kWh | $0.2836 | $0.2718 | $0.2412 |
| Credit rate | 100% retail | 100% retail | 100% retail |
| Minimum bill | $7.00 | $7.00 | $6.28 |
| True-up month | April | March | March |
| Peak rate available | Yes | Yes | No |
| ConnectedSolutions | Yes | Yes | No |
| Annual savings (8kW) | $2,723 | $2,609 | $2,316 |
Eastern MA including Greater Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod
$0.2836/kWh
$7.00
April
$2,723
Central and Western MA, Worcester, Springfield area
$0.2718/kWh
$7.00
March
$2,609
Fitchburg and surrounding areas (small territory)
$0.2412/kWh
$6.28
March
$2,316
Eastern MA including Greater Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod
Central and Western MA, Worcester, Springfield area
Fitchburg and surrounding areas (small territory)
Real breakdown for a typical Eversource home with an 11 kW solar system.
Before Solar
$262
per month (Eversource)
After Solar (11kW)
$35
minimum bill + fees
Monthly Savings
$227
$2,723 annually
With an 11 kW system on Eversource, your monthly bill drops from $262 to approximately $35 (minimum bill of $7 + non-bypassable charges). That represents an 87% reduction in your electric bill.
Supply rates updated
Eversource supply rate: $0.15629/kWh. National Grid supply rate: $0.15372/kWh. Delivery rates have also increased, pushing total rates to historic highs.
No changes to 1:1 credit structure
The 1:1 full retail-rate net metering for Class I remains intact. No legislative or regulatory changes have been enacted for 2026.
DPU proceedings may restructure future net metering
The MA Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ongoing proceedings that could alter the net metering framework in coming years. Installing now locks in current rules under grandfathering protections.
Systems installed under current rules are grandfathered
Systems installed under the current net metering framework keep their terms even if the policy changes in the future. This provides long-term certainty for your investment.
The Massachusetts SMART incentive is SEPARATE from net metering credits. You receive BOTH simultaneously, creating two income streams from your solar system.
Paid on total generation (kWh produced), regardless of whether energy is used on-site or exported to grid.
1:1 credits for exported energy. Directly offset your electric bill. Excess credits roll over monthly.
SMART
~$396
Net Metering
~$2,723
Annual Total
~$3,119
SMART and net metering are completely separate income streams. You receive both simultaneously.
Important Note: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. There are $0 in federal tax credits for homeowner cash or loan solar purchases. However, systems installed through third-party financing (PPA/lease) may still benefit from the commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) claimed by the system owner.
Answers to the most common questions about net metering in Massachusetts.
Net metering in Massachusetts allows solar system owners to receive credits for excess electricity sent to the grid. For residential systems up to 25 kW (Class I), credits are earned at the full retail rate, which includes both the supply and delivery charges. Excess credits roll over month to month at full retail value. At the annual true-up (April for Eversource, March for National Grid and Unitil), any remaining excess is paid out at the wholesale avoided-cost rate.
For Class I systems (residential, up to 25 kW), the credit rate is 100% of the retail electricity rate. In 2026, that means approximately $0.2836/kWh for Eversource customers, $0.2718/kWh for National Grid, and $0.2412/kWh for Unitil. These rates include both the supply charge and delivery charge, making MA net metering credits among the most valuable in the country.
Yes. Net metering is a state policy completely separate from the federal tax credit. The Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired on December 31, 2025, meaning there are $0 in federal tax credits for homeowner cash or loan solar purchases. However, MA net metering credits, the SMART program incentive, and state sales tax exemption remain fully active. Systems installed through third-party financing (PPA/lease) may still benefit from the Section 48 commercial ITC claimed by the system owner.
Not directly. Net metering credits can only be applied to your own utility account or transferred to other accounts in your name with the same utility. You cannot sell credits to other customers. However, at the annual true-up, any remaining excess credits are paid out to you at the wholesale avoided-cost rate (approximately $0.03-$0.05/kWh). For this reason, it is best to size your system to match your annual consumption rather than significantly oversize it.
At your annual true-up date (April for Eversource, March for National Grid and Unitil), the utility settles any remaining excess credits. If you have banked more credits than you used over the 12-month cycle, the excess is paid out at the wholesale avoided-cost rate, which is approximately $0.03-$0.05/kWh. This is far less than the retail rate, so proper system sizing to match annual usage is important to maximize value.
Eversource territory offers the highest net metering credit value at ~$0.2836/kWh, producing approximately $2,723/year in savings for an 8 kW system. National Grid follows at ~$0.2718/kWh (~$2,603/year), and Unitil at ~$0.2412/kWh (~$2,200/year). However, all three utilities offer strong solar economics when combined with the SMART program. Eversource and National Grid also participate in ConnectedSolutions, which provides additional income for battery storage owners.
Explore our comprehensive Massachusetts energy guides to maximize your savings.
Updated pricing, post-ITC financing options.
Detailed rate comparison and solar ROI by utility territory.
SMART 3.0: $0.03/kWh for 20 years + battery adders.
All Massachusetts energy guides in one place.
Mass Save, HEAR, and heat pump rebates in 2026.
Battery, low-income, community, and more SMART adders.
With net metering, the SMART program, and tax exemptions, Massachusetts solar remains one of the strongest investments in the country. Get your personalized estimate today.
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