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Get a Free QuoteTown-organized bulk purchasing has saved 165+ Massachusetts communities 10-20% on solar since 2011. Here is everything you need to know about joining or starting a Solarize campaign in your town.
Solarize is a town-organized group purchasing program for residential solar panels. Your town selects a single vetted installer through a competitive bidding process, negotiates a bulk-discounted price, and then residents opt in during a limited enrollment window. The more homes that sign up, the lower the price drops for everyone.
Launched by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) in 2011, Solarize Mass has helped over 165 towns and thousands of homeowners go solar at below-market rates. The program leverages community trust, peer motivation, and volume economics to reduce costs and simplify decision-making.
The federal 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit for homeowner solar purchases in 2026. Solarize group buying discounts are now more important than ever — they are one of the few remaining ways to reduce your upfront cost beyond state incentives. Massachusetts still offers SMART 3.0, net metering, property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption.
A typical Solarize campaign runs 3-6 months from launch to final sign-up deadline. Here is the step-by-step process:
Town officials, energy committees, or Green Communities designees apply to MassCEC to participate in Solarize.
MassCEC helps the town issue an RFP and select a vetted solar installer through a competitive bidding process.
The installer offers tiered pricing: the more homes that sign up, the lower the per-watt price drops for everyone.
Volunteers, town staff, and the installer host info sessions, tabling events, and door-to-door outreach.
Interested homeowners get free site assessments from the selected installer. No obligation to proceed.
Homeowners who pass assessment sign contracts at the group-discounted rate before the campaign deadline.
The core innovation of Solarize is tiered volume pricing. The installer offers a declining price schedule: as more homeowners sign up, the per-watt rate drops for everyone — including those who signed up first. Here is a typical Massachusetts Solarize tier structure:
| Tier | Sign-Ups | Price per Watt | Discount | 10 kW System Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0-25 homes | $3.40 | Base rate | $34,000 |
| Tier 2 | 26-50 homes | $3.20 | 6% off | $32,000 |
| Tier 3 | 51-100 homes | $3.00 | 12% off | $30,000 |
| Tier 4 | 100+ homes | $2.85 | 16% off | $28,500 |
Example savings: At Tier 4 ($2.85/W), a 10 kW system costs $28,500 — that is $5,500 less than the $34,000 typical Massachusetts market rate. This 16% savings helps compensate for the loss of the federal 25D tax credit.
Massachusetts was one of the first states in the nation to pilot group solar buying. MassCEC launched Solarize Mass in 2011, and the model has since been replicated by dozens of states and utilities nationwide.
MassCEC launches Solarize Mass pilot with 17 towns
17+ towns total
Program expands statewide, 35+ towns participate
35+ towns total
Solarize Mass Plus adds batteries and heat pumps
40+ towns total
Over 100 towns have run at least one campaign
100+ towns total
MassCEC introduces Solarize Plus with EV chargers
120+ towns total
Virtual info sessions during COVID-19 expand reach
140+ towns total
Post-pandemic resurgence, income-eligible focus added
155+ towns total
New campaigns launch without federal 25D ITC
165+ towns total
Dozens of Massachusetts towns have organized Solarize campaigns. Here are some notable examples with their results:
Towns with Massachusetts Green Communities designation (300+ towns as of 2026) have a built-in advantage for launching Solarize campaigns:
Solarize is not the only way to get solar. Here is how it compares to getting your own quotes or using an online marketplace like EnergySage:
| Feature | Solarize | Individual Quotes | EnergySage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical savings vs. market rate | 10-20% discount | Varies (0-10%) | 5-15% with comparison |
| Number of installer quotes | 1 (pre-selected) | You shop around | 3-5 competing quotes |
| Vetting of installer | Town + MassCEC vetted | Your research | EnergySage pre-screened |
| Community support | Town-organized, neighbors involved | None | Online reviews only |
| Timeline pressure | Campaign deadline (3-6 months) | Your pace | Your pace |
| Equipment choice | Set by campaign | Full flexibility | Varies by installer |
| Info sessions | Free town meetings | None | Online resources |
| Best for | Homeowners who value trust + savings | DIY researchers | Online comparison shoppers |
People often confuse Solarize with community solar. They are completely different programs. Solarize puts panels on your roof. Community solar subscribes you to a remote solar farm. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Solarize (Group Buying) | Community Solar |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Group buying — panels on YOUR roof | Subscription — panels on a remote solar farm |
| Ownership | You own the system | You subscribe to a share |
| Upfront cost | $25,000-$38,000 (discounted) | $0 |
| Savings range | 50-90% of electric bill | 10-20% of electric bill |
| Home value increase | Yes (~4% avg) | No |
| Available to renters | No (homeowners only) | Yes |
| SMART 3.0 income | $0.03/kWh for 20 years | Included in bill credits |
| Net metering | 1:1 retail rate credits | Via bill credits |
| Maintenance | Homeowner responsibility | Provider handles everything |
| Contract length | 25+ year ownership | Cancel anytime (most) |
For a deeper dive into community solar, see our Massachusetts Community Solar Guide.
If your town does not have an active Solarize campaign, you can help organize one. Here is how to get started:
Most Massachusetts towns have an energy committee, sustainability coordinator, or Green Communities designee. They are your first point of contact. If your town does not have one, contact the Select Board or Town Manager.
Talk to neighbors, post on local Facebook groups, attend town meetings. MassCEC looks for evidence of community interest before approving a campaign. Having 10-20 interested homeowners is a strong starting point.
Your town energy committee applies to MassCEC for the next Solarize cohort. Applications are typically accepted in spring for fall campaigns. MassCEC provides templates, training, and support throughout.
MassCEC helps your town issue a Request for Proposals to qualified solar installers. The RFP specifies equipment standards, warranty requirements, and tiered pricing structure.
Your committee reviews proposals, selects an installer, and launches the public campaign with info sessions, tabling events, and community outreach.
Solarize discounts are in addition to all existing Massachusetts solar incentives. Here is the full incentive stack available in 2026:
$0.03/kWh for 20 years
Performance-based payments from MassDOER. A 10 kW system earns ~$450/year.
Learn more1:1 retail rate credits
Full retail credits for systems 25 kW or less with all three IOUs.
Learn more20-year exemption
Solar system value excluded from property tax for 20 years.
Learn more6.25% saved
Solar equipment and installation exempt from MA sales tax.
Learn more15% up to $1,000
Massachusetts state income tax credit for solar installations.
Learn more$0 (Expired)
The federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025.
Learn moreNuWatt Energy actively participates in Solarize Massachusetts programs. As a local installer with deep roots across the state, we bring the same quality and transparency to group campaigns that we provide to individual customers.
Selected installer for multiple MA town campaigns
Available for towns without active Solarize campaigns
We work with energy committees to launch new campaigns
Whether your town has an active Solarize campaign or not, NuWatt can provide a free, no-obligation solar assessment and quote for your home.
Full cost breakdown for Massachusetts solar
Read guideSave 10-20% without rooftop panels
Read guide$0.03/kWh for 20 years with SMART 3.0
Read guideCompare financing options for MA solar
Read guide1:1 retail rate credits for MA systems
Read guideProperty + sales tax exemptions in MA
Read guide