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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteAdding 2-3 kW of extra solar panels to your Massachusetts home generates enough electricity to power your EV for $0/year in fuel. That is $1,200+ in annual savings vs gasoline. The federal Section 30C home charger credit expired June 30, 2026, but the Mass Save charger rebate (up to $800) is still available.
The amount of additional solar depends on your EV model's efficiency and how many miles you drive per year. Here is the calculation for popular EVs at 12,000 miles/year in Massachusetts (1,200 kWh per kW of solar annually).
Savings = gasoline cost avoided ($3.50/gal, 30 MPG) minus grid electricity for home charging ($0/yr with solar). Assumes 12,000 miles/year. Massachusetts produces approximately 1,200 kWh per kW of solar per year.
Three ways to power 12,000 miles/year in Massachusetts — and how much each costs.
The federal Section 30C credit for home EV chargers expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available. Massachusetts homeowners still have three ways to cut the cost of charging an EV at home: the Mass Save charger rebate (up to $800), off-peak EV rates, and charging from your own solar.
The Mass Save charger rebate combines up to $300 toward an eligible Level 2 charger with up to $500 for enrolling in managed (off-peak) charging — up to $800 total. The commercial 30C credit (up to $100,000 per unit) remains available for business installations, but does not apply to a home charger.
Level 2 (240V) chargers are recommended for solar homes. They charge most EVs from 20% to 100% in 6-10 hours overnight. Eligible models qualify for the Mass Save charger rebate (up to $800).
The simplest approach: calculate your home electricity needs, add your EV charging needs, and size the solar system to cover both.
Step 1: Home usage
Monthly electric bill / $0.36 = Monthly kWh
Example: $200/month / $0.36 = ~557 kWh/month = ~6,684 kWh/year
Step 2: EV usage
Annual miles / miles per kWh = Annual EV kWh
Example: 12,000 miles / 3.3 mi/kWh = ~3,636 kWh/year
Step 3: Total
Home kWh + EV kWh = Total annual kWh
Example: 6,684 + 3,636 = 10,320 kWh/year
Step 4: Solar size
Total kWh / 1,200 (MA production factor) = kW needed
Example: 10,320 / 1,200 = ~8.6 kW system
In this example: Without an EV, you need a ~5.6 kW system. With an EV, you need a ~8.6 kW system — that is 3.0 kW extra (about 7 additional 440W panels at ~$8,400 incremental cost).
Most people charge their EV at night. Solar panels produce electricity during the day. Massachusetts net metering bridges this gap.
Your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses. The excess flows to the grid. Your utility meter runs backward, creating net metering credits at your full retail rate (Eversource MA $0.36/kWh).
Your EV charges overnight from the grid. The electricity used is offset by the net metering credits you earned during the day. Net cost to you: $0 for EV charging.
Massachusetts net metering provides credits at the full retail rate for residential customers under 10 kW (Eversource, National Grid). Credits roll month-to-month. Annual excess is settled at the avoided cost rate (lower). Size your system to match annual production to annual consumption for maximum value.
The combined savings of solar panels plus an EV compared to grid electricity plus a gasoline car add up to transformative numbers over a decade.
How many extra solar panels do I need to charge my EV?
Most EV owners in Massachusetts need 2-3 kW of additional solar capacity to fully offset their EV charging, which is approximately 5-7 additional 440W panels. This is based on 12,000 miles/year at 3.0-3.8 miles/kWh efficiency = 3,158-4,000 kWh/year. In Massachusetts, each 1 kW of solar produces approximately 1,200 kWh/year. For a Tesla Model Y (3.3 miles/kWh), you need about 3.0 kW extra. For a Tesla Model 3 (3.8 miles/kWh), about 2.6 kW extra.
How much money do I save charging my EV with solar?
Charging your EV with solar in Massachusetts saves approximately $1,200-$1,400 per year compared to gasoline, and over $1,300/year compared to grid electricity charging. At the Eversource MA bundled residential rate of $0.36/kWh, charging a Tesla Model Y from the grid costs about $1,300/year. From solar, that cost drops to $0. Compared to a 30 MPG gasoline car at $3.50/gallon, you save $1,400/year in fuel alone, plus $400/year in reduced maintenance costs.
What is the Section 30C EV charger tax credit?
The Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit was a federal tax credit of up to $1,000 for residential EV charger installation (30% of cost). The residential credit for home chargers expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available — there is no longer a federal credit for home EV charger installation. Massachusetts homeowners can still use the Mass Save charger rebate instead: up to $300 toward an eligible Level 2 charger plus up to $500 for enrolling in managed (off-peak) charging, for up to $800 total. Commercial installations can still receive up to $100,000 per unit under the commercial 30C credit.
Should I get solar panels before or after buying an EV?
Before, if possible. When you design a solar system with EV charging in mind, the installer can size the system to cover both your home electricity usage AND your EV charging needs. Adding 2-3 kW to a new system costs approximately $6,000-$9,000 more, but the incremental cost per kW is lower than installing a separate system later. If you already have solar, most systems can be expanded — see our guide on expanding existing solar systems in Massachusetts.
Can I charge my EV directly from solar panels?
Not directly. Solar panels generate DC electricity, and your EV charger needs AC electricity from your home electrical panel. The solar inverter converts DC to AC, which feeds your home panel, which powers the charger. However, with net metering in Massachusetts, solar production during the day offsets EV charging at night. You earn net metering credits during the day and use them at night. The net effect is the same as direct solar charging, even though the electrons flow differently.
What is the best time to charge my EV with solar?
With Massachusetts net metering, it does not matter when you charge — daytime solar production creates credits that offset nighttime charging. However, if you have a battery (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ) or are on a time-of-use rate, charging during off-peak hours (midnight-6 AM) can save additional money. If you are enrolled in Eversource ConnectedSolutions, avoid charging during summer demand response events (typically 2-7 PM on hot weekday afternoons) to maximize your battery dispatch revenue.
Do I need a panel upgrade to install an EV charger with solar?
Many Massachusetts homes have 100A or 200A electrical panels. A Level 2 EV charger typically requires a 50A circuit. If your panel is already near capacity with solar, you may need a panel upgrade to 200A ($2,000-$4,000) or a smart load management device ($200-$500) that shares capacity between solar, charger, and other circuits. NuWatt evaluates your panel capacity during the solar design process and recommends the most cost-effective solution.
NuWatt designs solar systems sized for both your home and your EV. We install Level 2 chargers and handle the Mass Save charger rebate paperwork (up to $800). Get your free quote today.
Tesla Certified Installer · NABCEP-certified · Mass Save rebate paperwork assistance included