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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 QuoteMunicipal utilities serve a significant share of households in our service area — their programs are often better than investor-owned utility programs but harder to find.
We cataloged every incentive from 73 municipal utilities so you do not have to dig through town meeting minutes and PDF rate schedules.
73
Municipal Utilities
70
With Solar Programs
50
With Heat Pump Rebates
72
With Net Metering
Most homeowners know their electric utility by its monthly bill, but few realize that where they live determines which incentive programs they can access. If you are served by a municipal utility instead of an investor-owned utility (IOU) like Eversource, National Grid, or CenterPoint, you may be eligible for a completely different set of rebates — often more generous ones.
The catch: municipal utility incentive programs are notoriously hard to find. These are small, locally run operations. Their websites are often outdated. Their programs are approved at town meetings, not in glossy marketing campaigns. We found that many homeowners in municipal utility territory have no idea they are missing out on thousands of dollars in rebates for solar, heat pumps, EV chargers, and batteries.
This atlas catalogs 73 municipal utilities across 9 states, documenting every incentive program we could verify as of March 2026. It is the most comprehensive public resource of its kind.
Enter your ZIP code to check. If a municipal utility serves your area, we will show you every incentive program available.
Enter your ZIP code to see if you are served by a municipal utility with special incentive programs.
How do municipal utility incentives stack up against IOUs like Eversource and National Grid? This comparison uses the best available programs in Massachusetts as a benchmark.
| Category | Municipal Utility (Best) | Investor-Owned Utility | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar rebates (top programs) | $0.60 - $1.50/watt (up to $12,000) | SMART: ~$0.03/kWh production incentive | Muni |
| Heat pump rebates | $1,000 - $8,500 (whole home) | Mass Save: up to $10,000 (income-eligible) | IOU |
| EV charger rebates | $200 - $1,000 + monthly credits | Mass Save: $0 - $300 | Muni |
| Battery storage rebates | $100/kWh (up to $2,000) + DR credits | ConnectedSolutions: $225-$275/kW/yr | IOU |
| Net metering rate | Full retail (most MLPs) to wholesale | SMART credit or ~80% retail (RI) | Muni |
| Free energy audit | Yes (most MLPs) | Mass Save: Yes (IOU territories) | IOU |
| Demand response programs | $5 - $30/month per device | ConnectedSolutions: seasonal enrollment | Muni |
| Electric rates (avg MA) | ~$0.14 - $0.225/kWh | ~$0.28 - $0.32/kWh | Muni |
| Rate control | Local board sets rates | State PUC regulates rate cases | Muni |
| Weatherization rebates | 50-75% of cost (up to $2,000-$5,000) | Mass Save: 75-100% subsidized | IOU |
Municipal utilities win on solar rebates, EV incentives, electric rates, and demand response. IOUs have an edge on heat pump rebates (via Mass Save) and battery programs (via ConnectedSolutions). If you live in a municipal territory, your best strategy is often to stack the municipal solar rebate with a heat pump and take advantage of the lower electric rates.
These municipal utilities offer standout programs that rival or exceed anything available from larger utilities. Most homeowners in these territories have no idea these programs exist.
$20,500+
Max combined incentives
Wellesley offers $1.20/watt solar rebates (up to $12,000), whole-home heat pump rebates up to $8,500, and owns a 4.99 MW community battery that saves the town millions. The combined solar + heat pump incentive package is unmatched by any IOU in the region.
100%
Renewable energy
Burlington Electric Department was the first utility in the US to source 100% of its power from renewable generation. They offer solar, heat pump, battery, EV, and even electric lawn equipment rebates. Their Packetized Energy demand response program is a national model.
$10,000
Max heat pump rebate
Instead of per-watt rebates, SELCO offers 0% interest solar loans with full retail net metering. Their heat pump program pays up to $2,000/ton (max $10,000) with a $1,000 decarbonization bonus for making the heat pump your sole heat source. One of the highest HP rebates in the state.
$12,000
Max solar rebate
Reading Municipal Light Department offers one of the highest solar rebates in Massachusetts at $1,200/kW DC, with a $12,000 cap on systems up to 20 kW. They also provide heat pump rebates up to $11,500, weatherization add-on rebates up to $3,500, a $40,000 zero-interest heat pump loan, and free home energy audits.
$2,500+
Max EV incentives
Norwood offers up to $1,500 for electric vehicle purchases (with a $4,500 lifetime cap), up to $1,000 for Level 2 charger installation, and $1.20/watt solar rebates (up to 25 kW DC). Their combined EV + solar incentive package is among the best in Greater Boston. Note: NMLD does not offer a standalone battery storage rebate as of May 2026.
$30/mo
Per device DR credit
Hingham MLP runs one of the most comprehensive demand response programs through NextZero Connected Homes — paying $5-$30/month per connected device (batteries, EV chargers, water heaters). Combined with $0.60/watt solar, $2,000 heat pump, and $1,500 battery rebates, the full-stack incentive is exceptional.
Browse all 73 municipal utilities organized by state. Each listing shows available incentive programs, net metering status, and contact information.
41 municipal utilities · 24 with programs documented
Massachusetts has 41 municipal light plants serving 50 municipalities. These MLPs are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs but offer their own incentive programs. Many offer solar rebates, EV charger rebates, and heat pump incentives.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Braintree Electric Light Department BELD Website | Braintree | Solar: $0.60/watt DC HP: $750/ton EV: $250 + $12/month off-peak credit | ||
Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant HMLP Website | Hingham | Solar: $0.60/watt HP: $750/ton EV: Up to $600 | ||
Reading Municipal Light Department RMLD Website | Reading, Lynnfield Center, North Reading (partial) | Solar: $1,200/kW ($1.20/watt) HP: Up to $11,500 EV: Up to $750 | ||
Concord Municipal Light Plant CMLP Website | Concord | Solar: $625/kW DC (~$0.63/watt) HP: $1,250/ton EV: $250 | ||
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant WMLP Website | Wellesley | Solar: $1,200/kW HP: $6,500 - $8,500 EV: $125 + $10/month BYOC | ||
Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant TMLP Website | Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, Raynham | HP: $1,250/ton EV: Up to $300 | ||
Ipswich Municipal Light Department IELD Website | Ipswich | Solar: $0.30/watt HP: $500/ton EV: Free charger up to $700 (BEV) / $200-$300 (PHEV) Battery: $100/kWh | ||
Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department WMGLD Website | Wakefield | Solar: $0.80/watt HP: $500/ton EV: Up to $650 Battery: $100/kWh | ||
Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations SELCO Website | Shrewsbury | Solar: 0% loan + full retail net metering HP: $2,000/ton ASHP / $3,000/ton GSHP EV: $200 - $1,000 Battery: $100/kWh | ||
Holyoke Gas & Electric Department HG&E Website | Holyoke | Solar: 0% financing up to $10,000 HP: $250/ton EV: $450 + $10/month Battery: $1,000 + $8/kW monthly | ||
Peabody Municipal Light Plant PMLP Website | Peabody | Solar: Bill credits for excess generation HP: $500/ton | ||
Norwood Municipal Light Department NMLD Website | Norwood | Solar: $1.20/watt DC HP: $3,000/ton EV: Up to $1,500 | ||
Hull Municipal Lighting Plant HMLP Website | Hull | HP: 50% up to $750 | ||
Chicopee Municipal Lighting Plant CEL Website | Chicopee | Solar: $1.20/watt HP: $500/ton | ||
Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department WG&E Website | Westfield | Solar: Program closed HP: Up to $6,000 EV: $200 - $400 Battery: $500 | ||
Belmont Municipal Light Department BMLD Website | Belmont | HP: $1,000/ton EV: $100 + $250 Connected Homes adder Battery: $500/year + $25/kWh adder + $30/month per 10 kWh | ||
Georgetown Municipal Light Department GMLD Website | Georgetown | Solar: $0.60/watt HP: $500/ton EV: $300 + monthly credit | -- | |
Rowley Municipal Lighting Plant Website | Rowley | Solar: $0.60/watt HP: $500 | -- | |
Danvers Electric Division Website | Danvers | Solar: $1.20/watt AC HP: $1,500/ton EV: $300 | ||
Mansfield Municipal Electric Department MMED Website | Mansfield | Solar: $1.20/watt HP: $500/ton EV: Up to $700 | ||
Middleborough Gas & Electric Department MG&E Website | Middleborough | Solar: $0.60/watt HP: $750/ton + $750 replacement bonus EV: $300 - $400 | -- | |
North Attleborough Electric Department NAED Website | North Attleborough | Solar: $1.20/watt HP: $300/ton + $300 replacement adder EV: $300 | -- | |
Hudson Light and Power Department HLPD Website | Hudson | Solar: $1.20/watt HP: $750/ton EV: $500 | -- | |
Littleton Electric Light and Water Department LELWD Website | Littleton, Boxborough | Solar: $1.00/watt AC HP: $500/installation | -- |
7 municipal utilities · 7 with programs documented
Vermont has numerous municipal utilities, many powered by local hydroelectric. Burlington Electric Department was the first US utility to achieve 100% renewable energy. Vermont utilities offer strong clean energy incentive programs.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Burlington Electric Department BED Website | Burlington | Solar: $0.25/watt HP: $400/ton EV: Up to $600 Battery: $150/kWh | ||
Stowe Electric Department Website | Stowe | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: $300/ton EV: $300 | ||
Morrisville Water & Light Department Website | Morrisville, Morristown | Solar: $0.20/watt HP: Up to $800 | ||
Hardwick Electric Department Website | Hardwick | Solar: Retail rate HP: Up to $500 | -- | |
Ludlow Electric Light Department | Ludlow | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Swanton Village Electric Department | Swanton | Solar: Retail rate HP: Up to $400 | -- | |
Northfield Electric Department | Northfield | Solar: Retail credit | -- |
6 municipal utilities · 6 with programs documented
Connecticut has 6 municipal electric utilities serving communities across the state. These utilities offer competitive rates and various clean energy incentive programs including solar rebates, EV charger rebates, and heat pump incentives.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wallingford Electric Division WED Website | Wallingford | Solar: $0.35/watt HP: Up to $1,500 EV: $500 | ||
Norwich Public Utilities NPU Website | Norwich | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $1,000 EV: $300 | ||
Groton Utilities Website | Groton | Solar: $0.25/watt HP: Up to $800 EV: $250 | ||
South Norwalk Electric & Water SNEW Website | South Norwalk | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Bozrah Light & Power Company | Bozrah | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Jewett City Department of Public Utilities | Jewett City, Griswold | Solar: Retail credit | -- |
5 municipal utilities · 5 with programs documented
New Hampshire has a small number of municipal utilities concentrated in the northern part of the state. These utilities offer net metering and some efficiency incentives. NH residents may also be eligible for NHSaves programs through their utility.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Littleton Water & Light Department LW&L Website | Littleton | Solar: Full retail credit HP: Up to $500 | ||
Ashland Electric Department | Ashland | Solar: Retail rate credit | -- | |
Woodsville Water & Light Department | Woodsville, Haverhill | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
New Hampton Village Precinct | New Hampton | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Wolfeboro Municipal Electric Department Website | Wolfeboro | Solar: Full retail credit | -- |
2 municipal utilities · 2 with programs documented
Rhode Island has only two municipal utilities: Pascoag Utility District and Block Island Power Company. Block Island is notable for being connected to the first US offshore wind farm.
5 municipal utilities · 5 with programs documented
Maine has several small municipal utilities and one electric cooperative. The largest is Kennebunk Light & Power which offers comprehensive clean energy incentives. Efficiency Maine also provides statewide rebates.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kennebunk Light & Power District KL&P Website | Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel | Solar: $0.50/watt HP: $800 per head EV: $400 Battery: $200/kWh | ||
Madison Electric Works | Madison, Anson (partial) | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $500 | -- | |
Van Buren Light & Power District | Van Buren | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Houlton Water Company Website | Houlton | Solar: Retail rate HP: Up to $600 | -- | |
Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative EMEC Website | Calais, Eastport, Machias, Multiple Washington County towns | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: $400 per unit |
8 municipal utilities · 8 with programs documented
New Jersey has approximately 10 municipal utilities, with Vineland being the largest. These utilities offer net metering, solar rebates, and various efficiency incentives. NJ also has strong statewide clean energy programs.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vineland Municipal Electric Utility VMEU Website | Vineland | Solar: $0.50/watt HP: Up to $2,000 EV: $500 Battery: $200/kWh | ||
Butler Electric Utility | Butler | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $750 | -- | |
Madison Municipal Utilities Website | Madison | Solar: $0.40/watt EV: $300 | ||
Park Ridge Municipal Utilities | Park Ridge | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Lavallette Municipal Electric | Lavallette | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Milltown Municipal Utility | Milltown | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Seaside Heights Electric | Seaside Heights | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative SREC Website | Sussex County (multiple townships) | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $500 | -- |
6 municipal utilities · 6 with programs documented
Pennsylvania has a small number of municipal electric utilities, primarily in smaller boroughs. These utilities follow PA net metering regulations and offer some efficiency programs. Most PA residents are served by investor-owned utilities.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Citizens' Electric Company of Lewisburg Website | Lewisburg, Kelly Township, East Buffalo Township | Solar: Retail rate credit | -- | |
Borough of Ephrata Electric Website | Ephrata | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Perkasie Electric | Perkasie | Solar: Retail credit | -- | |
Chambersburg Electric Department Website | Chambersburg | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $500 | -- | |
Lansdale Borough Electric Department Website | Lansdale | Solar: Retail rate | -- | |
Quakertown Borough Electric | Quakertown | Solar: Retail credit | -- |
10 municipal utilities · 10 with programs documented
Texas has over 70 municipal utilities, including Austin Energy and CPS Energy (San Antonio) which are among the largest in the nation. These utilities offer comprehensive clean energy programs including strong solar, EV, and efficiency incentives.
| Utility | Towns Served | Key Incentives | Net Metering | Energy Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin Energy AE Website | Austin, Pflugerville, Sunset Valley, Manor (partial), Rollingwood | Solar: $2,500 base + performance HP: $500-$1,200 EV: Up to $1,200 Battery: $2,800 + performance | ||
CPS Energy Website | San Antonio, Bexar County | Solar: $0.20/watt DC HP: $400-$850 EV: Up to $500 | ||
Georgetown Utility Systems GUS Website | Georgetown | Solar: Retail rate credit HP: Up to $800 EV: $250 | ||
Garland Power & Light GP&L Website | Garland | Solar: $0.15/watt HP: $300-$600 EV: $200 | ||
Denton Municipal Electric DME Website | Denton | Solar: $0.25/watt HP: Up to $750 EV: $300 | ||
Bryan Texas Utilities BTU Website | Bryan | Solar: Avoided cost credit HP: Up to $500 | -- | |
College Station Utilities CSU Website | College Station | Solar: Net metering credit HP: Up to $400 | -- | |
Lubbock Power & Light LP&L Website | Lubbock | Solar: Retail credit HP: Up to $500 | -- | |
Greenville Electric Utility System GEUS Website | Greenville | Solar: Credit for excess | -- | |
Brownsville Public Utilities Board BPUB Website | Brownsville | Solar: Net metering credit | -- |
Across all 73 municipal utilities in our dataset, here is how incentive programs break down by type.
70
Solar Rebates
78
Heat Pump Rebates
38
EV Charger Rebates
11
Battery Rebates
32
Weatherization
7
Demand Response
25
Water Heater
60
Appliance Rebates
The residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Municipal utility rebates are now the primary financial incentive for residential solar in many areas. This makes finding and claiming your local rebate more important than ever.
If you are served by a Massachusetts municipal utility, you are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs. Do not assume your utility participates. Check this atlas or call your utility directly. The good news: many MLPs offer their own programs that are just as generous.
Many municipal utility programs have annual budgets and kilowatt caps. For example, Chicopee Electric caps solar rebates at 75 kW of total installations per year. When the budget runs out, the program closes until the next fiscal year. Apply early.
Incentive amounts and eligibility change at the start of each fiscal year (typically January 1 or July 1). Always confirm current program details with your utility before signing a contract. We update this atlas regularly, but programs can change without notice.
A municipal utility (also called a municipal light plant or MLP) is a publicly owned electric utility operated by a city or town government. Unlike investor-owned utilities such as Eversource or National Grid, municipal utilities are governed by local boards and reinvest profits into the community. They typically offer lower rates and unique local incentive programs.
No. Municipal utility customers in Massachusetts are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs. However, most MLPs offer their own rebate programs for solar, heat pumps, EV chargers, and weatherization that are often comparable to or better than Mass Save incentives.
Most municipal utilities in our dataset offer some form of net metering. However, the specific credit rates vary. Some offer full retail rate credits (like Shrewsbury SELCO), while others offer wholesale, supply-rate-only, or generation-charge-only credits (Wellesley MLP credits at wholesale supply rate under Schedule SP-1; Hingham MLP credits at $0.0960/kWh; Taunton MLP credits at the generation-charge rate per MDPU #162; Hudson L&P does not net meter at all and instead buys excess at the Power Adjustment Charge). Always check your specific utility for current net metering terms.
Municipal utility solar rebates are often more generous than investor-owned utility programs. For example, Wellesley MLP and Reading MLD both offer $1,200/kW ($1.20/watt) up to $12,000 — well above the average Mass Save solar incentive. But MLP rebates can change without notice — Taunton MLP ended its residential solar rebate program in May 2024, and Hull MLP and Belmont Light do not currently offer per-watt PV rebates at all. Always confirm current program terms with your utility before installing.
No. Your electric utility is determined by your physical address. You cannot switch between a municipal utility and an investor-owned utility. However, if you are buying a home, checking whether the property is served by a municipal utility is a smart move that can mean access to better incentives and lower rates.
Municipal utilities are small, locally run operations. Many have limited web presence and do not invest in SEO or marketing the way large IOUs do. Their incentive programs are often buried in town meeting minutes or utility board documents. This atlas consolidates those programs into a single searchable resource.
Yes. While Massachusetts has the most municipal utilities in our service area (41 MLPs), we also cover municipal utilities in Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Texas has some of the largest municipal utilities in the country, including Austin Energy and CPS Energy.
The Municipal Utility Incentive Atlas aggregates data from three primary sources:
This atlas is updated quarterly. Last update: March 27, 2026. If you are a municipal utility and want to update your listing, contact us at hello@nuwattenergy.com.
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