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Both utilities offer full retail-rate net metering and SMART eligibility. The difference comes down to rates — and Eversource customers come out $120/year ahead.
Eversource saves approximately $2,723/year vs. $2,603/year for National Grid on an 11kW system. This is entirely because Eversource has higher retail rates. The net metering policy, SMART program, and ConnectedSolutions availability are identical for both utilities.
Every metric that matters for solar, side by side. All data reflects 2026 tariff schedules and current program availability.
| Feature | Eversource | National Grid | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Avg. Rate (2026) Higher rate = more savings from solar | $0.2836/kWh | $0.3200/kWh | Eversource |
Supply Rate | $0.15629/kWh | $0.15372/kWh | — |
Peak Rate (TOU) Higher peak = more valuable midday solar exports | $0.3284/kWh | $0.3155/kWh | Eversource |
Off-Peak Rate (TOU) | $0.2201/kWh | $0.2104/kWh | — |
Net Metering Both credit exports at full retail rate | 1:1 retail | 1:1 retail | Tie |
Minimum Monthly Bill Cannot be offset by solar credits | $7.00 | $7.00 | Tie |
Annual True-Up Different months, same policy | April | March | — |
Interconnection Free for residential on both | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks | Tie |
ConnectedSolutions Both participate in demand response | Yes | Yes | Tie |
Annual Savings (11kW) Eversource saves $120 more per year | $2,723 | $2,603 | Eversource |
Data: 2026 tariff schedules (Eversource R-1/R-2, National Grid R-1/R-4). Bill calculations assume 11kW system, ~900 kWh/month usage.
Your utility is determined by your address. You cannot switch between utilities.
1.4 million customers
Eastern MA — Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod, MetroWest, Western MA/Springfield
Rate: $0.2836/kWh
1.3 million customers
Central and Southeast MA — Worcester, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River
Rate: $0.3200/kWh
28,000 customers
Small area in north-central MA — Fitchburg, Lunenburg
No ConnectedSolutions available
How to check your utility
Look at the header or logo on your monthly electric bill. It will say Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil. You can also enter your ZIP code in our calculator to find out instantly.
What your monthly bill looks like with an 11kW solar system, based on typical usage and current 2026 tariff rates.
Eastern MA
Without Solar
$262
/month
With Solar
$35
/month
Monthly Savings
$227/mo
= $2,723/year
Central and Southeast MA
Without Solar
$252
/month
With Solar
$35
/month
Monthly Savings
$217/mo
= $2,603/year
Monthly savings difference: $10/month
Eversource customers save $10 more per month than National Grid customers with the same system size. That adds up to $120/year or $3,000 over 25 years. The difference is meaningful but should not be the deciding factor in whether to go solar.
These savings do not include SMART payments. Under SMART 3.0, residential systems earn an additional incentive on top of net metering savings. SMART payments are identical for both Eversource and National Grid customers.
Both Eversource and National Grid offer optional TOU rate schedules. If your solar panels export during peak hours (midday), you earn credits at the higher peak rate.
Peak Rate
Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm
$0.3284/kWh
Off-Peak Rate
All other hours
$0.2201/kWh
Peak Premium
+49% more per kWh
Peak Rate
Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm
$0.3155/kWh
Off-Peak Rate
All other hours
$0.2104/kWh
Peak Premium
+50% more per kWh
Best for customers with battery + ConnectedSolutions
Solar panels export the most power midday (11am-3pm), which falls within the peak window for both utilities. On a TOU rate, your midday exports earn credits at the higher peak rate. With a battery, you can store midday excess and avoid peak-rate consumption in the evening while also earning ConnectedSolutions payments for discharging during demand response events.
Your electric bill has two main components: supply (generation) and delivery (transmission + distribution). Understanding this breakdown matters because net metering credits offset both components at 1:1 retail.
| Component | Eversource | National Grid | Unitil |
|---|---|---|---|
Supply (Generation) Updates every 6 months (Jan/Jul) | $0.1563/kWh | $0.1537/kWh | $0.1212/kWh |
Delivery (T&D) Transmission + distribution charges | $0.1400/kWh | $0.1400/kWh | $0.1200/kWh |
Total Rate What you pay per kWh (and what net metering credits) | $0.2836/kWh | $0.3200/kWh | $0.2833/kWh |
Annual Cost (900 kWh/mo) Before solar, typical household | $3,063/yr | $3,456/yr | $3,060/yr |
Supply rates effective January 2026. Delivery includes transmission, distribution, transition, and renewable energy charges. Actual bills include fixed customer charges ($7/mo).
Why supply and delivery matter for solar
Net metering credits offset the full retail rate (supply + delivery). This means every kWh your solar panels export saves you the entire combined rate, not just the supply portion. Higher total rates = higher credit value per kWh exported.
TOU rates shift the value window
Both Eversource and National Grid offer optional Time-of-Use rates. On TOU, peak-hour exports (Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm) earn credits at the higher peak rate. Solar panels naturally produce the most during midday peak hours, making TOU especially valuable for solar+battery systems.
ConnectedSolutions is a demand response program that pays battery owners to discharge during peak demand events. Both major utilities participate, but payment rates differ.
Summer (Jun-Sep)
$275/kW
Winter (Dec-Mar)
$50/kW
Annual Revenue (10kW battery)
~$3,250
Summer (Jun-Sep)
$225/kW
Winter (Dec-Mar)
$50/kW
Annual Revenue (10kW battery)
~$2,750
Does NOT participate
Unitil customers cannot earn ConnectedSolutions revenue
A typical Tesla Powerwall 3 has 13.5 kWh of usable capacity and approximately5 kW of continuous discharge power. Here is what it earns annually through ConnectedSolutions with each utility.
Summer (5 kW x $275)
$1,375
Winter (5 kW x $50)
$250
Annual Total
$1,625/yr
Summer (5 kW x $225)
$1,125
Winter (5 kW x $50)
$250
Annual Total
$1,375/yr
Eversource Powerwall owners earn $250 more per year than National Grid Powerwall owners through ConnectedSolutions alone. Over a 10-year battery warranty period, that is $2,500 more in cumulative demand response revenue. Learn more about ConnectedSolutions battery economics.
Here is the honest takeaway for each utility territory.
You get the slightly better solar ROI in Massachusetts due to higher retail rates ($0.2836/kWh) and the top ConnectedSolutions summer payment ($275/kW). Your net metering credits are worth more per kWh than any other MA utility.
~$2,723/year savings
Still an excellent ROI with strong 1:1 net metering and ConnectedSolutions eligibility. You save just ~$120/year less than Eversource customers. Solar is absolutely worth it in National Grid territory.
~$2,603/year savings
Good solar economics with net metering and SMART eligibility, but no ConnectedSolutions revenue. Lower rates mean smaller net metering credits. Solar still pays back well, just without the battery bonus.
No ConnectedSolutions
Do not choose where you live based on utility
The difference between Eversource and National Grid for solar is approximately $120/year ($10/month). That is meaningful over 25 years (~$3,000) but should not drive real estate decisions. Both territories deliver excellent solar savings. Focus on finding the right home first, then optimize your solar system for your utility.
Select your utility and financing type to see estimated savings, SMART income, ConnectedSolutions revenue, and payback timeline specific to your situation.
Estimate your solar return on investment with SMART income, net metering credits, ConnectedSolutions, and MA tax benefits.
Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit (Section 25D) Expired
Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Eastern MA (Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod, MetroWest, Western MA)
Electric Rate
$0.28/kWh
Net Metering
1:1 retail credit (Class I ≤25 kW)
SMART 3.0 Rate
$0.03/kWh
Interconnection
2-4 weeks typical
20-year exemption — solar adds $0 to your property tax
Payback Period
7
years
25-Year Savings
$114,687
total
Monthly Benefit
$378
per month
Estimates based on average 2026 MA solar pricing, SMART 3.0 $0.03/kWh residential flat rate, 1:1 retail net metering, 6.25% sales tax exemption, 20-year property tax exemption, and 15% state tax credit (max $1,000). Section 25D residential ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — $0 federal tax credit for cash/loan purchases.
Common questions about Eversource vs National Grid for solar in Massachusetts.
Eversource customers save approximately $120/year more than National Grid customers because Eversource has higher retail rates ($0.2836/kWh vs $0.3200/kWh). Both utilities offer identical 1:1 retail net metering, SMART eligibility, and ConnectedSolutions. The difference is purely in the rate, not the policy.
Yes. Both Eversource and National Grid credit solar exports at 100% of the retail rate for residential systems up to 25kW AC. Every kWh you send to the grid offsets a kWh on your bill dollar-for-dollar. This is one of the strongest net metering policies in the country and applies equally to both utilities.
No. Your electric utility is determined by your geographic location, not by personal choice. Eversource and National Grid serve different areas of Massachusetts with no overlap. However, the annual savings difference ($120/year) is relatively modest. Both utilities provide excellent solar economics.
ConnectedSolutions pays battery owners to discharge during peak demand. Eversource pays $275/kW in summer and $50/kW in winter. National Grid pays $225/kW in summer and $50/kW in winter. Eversource pays $50/kW more in summer. Unitil does not participate in ConnectedSolutions at all.
Eversource performs its annual true-up in April and National Grid in March. At true-up, any remaining excess credits are zeroed out with no cash payout. To avoid losing credits, size your system to match your annual consumption as closely as possible.
No. The Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Massachusetts homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. However, solar leases and PPAs can still benefit from the Section 48 commercial ITC (30%), which is claimed by the third-party system owner (the financing company), not the homeowner.
No. Your electric utility is determined by your geographic location, not personal choice. Eversource and National Grid serve different parts of Massachusetts with no overlap. You cannot change your utility provider. However, you can choose a competitive electricity supplier for the supply portion of your bill, though this does not change your distribution utility or affect net metering credits.
Yes. Massachusetts has 41 municipal light plants (MLPs) that operate independently. MLPs set their own rates, net metering policies, and interconnection rules. Some MLPs offer net metering, some do not. If you are served by a municipal utility (e.g., Braintree Electric, Wellesley MLP, Reading Municipal), check directly with your utility about solar policies. NuWatt can help you navigate MLP requirements.
TOU rates can boost your solar savings if your panels export power during peak hours (Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm). Eversource peak is $0.3284/kWh vs off-peak $0.2201/kWh. National Grid peak is $0.3155/kWh vs off-peak $0.2104/kWh. TOU is most beneficial if you have a battery to store midday solar and avoid drawing peak-rate power in the evening.
Supply rates adjust every 6 months (January and July) for both Eversource and National Grid. Winter rates are typically higher because natural gas demand for heating increases electricity generation costs. This actually helps solar owners — winter net metering credits can be worth more per kWh during the months when your solar production is lowest, partially offsetting the seasonal production drop.
Enter your address and we will calculate savings based on your exact utility, rate schedule, and SMART incentive block.
Battery demand response revenue, enrollment, and dispatch schedule.
Read more1:1 retail credits, true-up policy, and system sizing strategy.
Read moreSMART 3.0 rates, adders, capacity blocks, and 20-year payments.
Read moreWhat solar costs in Massachusetts and expected payback timeline.
Read moreEverything about solar in Massachusetts: costs, SMART, net metering, and financing.
Read moreHonest pricing after the federal ITC expired. No sugar-coating.
Read moreSpot predatory tactics, inflated quotes, and shady financing.
Read moreEversource rates: R-1/R-2 tariff schedule, effective January 2026.
National Grid rates: R-1/R-4 tariff schedule, effective January 2026.
Net metering policy: MassDOER, 225 CMR 20.00 (updated February 2025).
SMART program: Massachusetts DOER, mass.gov/smart.
ConnectedSolutions: Eversource and National Grid program documentation, 2026 season.
Section 25D residential solar tax credit: expired December 31, 2025.