Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
RMLD has provided reliable electric service since 1894. Serving Reading, Lynnfield Center, and parts of North Reading. This guide covers solar costs, incentives, net metering policies, and savings projections specifically for RMLD ratepayers in Reading, Lynnfield Center, North Reading (partial).
$0.24/kWh
Estimated residential rate. About 14% below the state IOU average of $0.28/kWh.
Available
Net metering with monthly credit rollover. Annual true-up in April.
Reading, Lynnfield Center, North Reading (partial)
Reading Municipal Light Department provides electricity to 3 communities in Massachusetts.
$600/kW DC
Max: $12,000 (20 kW max). Cash incentive for residential and commercial solar up to 20 kW. Must assign RECs to RMLD for system lifetime.
(781) 944-1340
Official WebsiteFree Audit Available
Schedule a free home energy audit to identify savings opportunities before going solar.
Municipal utilities typically offer lower electricity rates because they operate as non-profit, community-owned entities. There are no shareholders to pay, and local governance keeps costs in check. Here is how RMLD’s estimated rates compare to Massachusetts’s investor-owned utility (IOU) average.
| Metric | RMLD | MA IOU Average |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Rate (est.) | $0.24/kWh | $0.28/kWh |
| Annual Cost (900 kWh/mo) | $2,592 | $3,024 |
| Ownership | Community-owned, non-profit | Shareholder-owned, for-profit |
| Rate Setting | Local board/town meeting | State PUC regulated |
| Savings vs. IOU | ~14% lower rate = ~$432/yr savings | |
Rates shown are estimates based on publicly available data. Municipal utility rates can change based on local board decisions. Even with lower rates, solar panels still provide significant savings by reducing or eliminating your electric bill. Contact RMLD for your exact current rate.
Understanding available incentives is key to maximizing your solar investment. Here is what RMLD customers can access in 2026.
The federal residential solar ITC expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who purchase solar panels with cash or a loan no longer receive a federal tax credit. However, third-party owned systems (solar leases and PPAs) may still qualify under Section 48/48E, with the financing company claiming the credit. This makes local utility rebates more valuable than ever.
RMLD
$600/kW DC
Max: $12,000 (20 kW max)
Cash incentive for residential and commercial solar up to 20 kW. Must assign RECs to RMLD for system lifetime.
Azimuth range 80-280 degrees, minimum 70% annual solar access.
ev charger
$300
Rebate for Level 2 residential EV charger installation.
Must be an RMLD residential customer.
heat pump
Up to $1,500
Rebate for qualifying air source heat pump systems.
Must be replacing oil, propane, or electric resistance heating.
water heater
$200
Rebate for ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters.
Must replace existing electric water heater.
Here is what a typical 8 kW residential solar installation looks like for RMLD customers, including available incentives and projected savings over 25 years.
Projection assumes $0.24/kWh rate with no annual increase (conservative estimate). Actual savings may be higher as rates typically increase 2-4% per year.
With a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), a third-party company owns the system on your roof. The system owner can still claim the 30% federal ITC under Section 48/48E, which often results in lower monthly payments for you. You pay a fixed monthly rate or per-kWh price that is typically lower than your utility rate, with no upfront cost.
Customize your system size to see estimated costs and savings based on RMLD’s rates and available incentives.
Estimate your solar costs and savings with RMLD
19 panels at 430W each
Annual Production
10,000 kWh
Year 1 Savings
$2,400/yr
Payback Period
~11 years
25-Year Net Profit
$32,905
Estimates based on 1250 kWh/kW annual production, 0.24/kWh utility rate, and 0.5% annual panel degradation. Federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, and usage patterns.
Net metering with monthly credit rollover. Annual true-up in April.
Net metering is the billing mechanism that makes rooftop solar financially attractive. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the excess flows back to the grid and your meter effectively “runs backwards.” Here is the typical process with RMLD:
RMLD customers are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs.
Mass Save is funded by investor-owned utilities (Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, etc.) and their ratepayers. Municipal utilities operate independently and offer their own programs. This is a common point of confusion for homeowners in MLP towns.
The utility offers its own rebate programs for solar, heat pumps, and other efficiency upgrades (see incentives above).
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates are federally funded and available regardless of utility type. Up to $8,000 for income-qualified households (subject to state program launch).
Municipal utilities typically charge lower rates than IOUs, partially offsetting the loss of Mass Save rebates.
RMLD offers free energy audits to help identify savings opportunities.
Reading Municipal Light Department is a municipal utility, also known as a publicly owned utility or municipal light plant (MLP). Unlike investor-owned utilities (IOUs) such as Eversource and National Grid, municipal utilities are owned and operated by the local community.
Reading Municipal Light Department customers pay approximately $0.24/kWh, which is roughly 14% less than the state average for investor-owned utilities ($0.28/kWh). As a municipal utility, RMLD sets rates locally, and revenue stays in the community rather than going to shareholders.
Yes. Reading Municipal Light Department offers a solar rebate of $600/kW DC (max $12,000 (20 kW max)). Cash incentive for residential and commercial solar up to 20 kW. Must assign RECs to RMLD for system lifetime. Note: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025, so this local rebate is now one of the most important incentives available to homeowners.
Yes. Reading Municipal Light Department offers net metering for solar customers. Net metering with monthly credit rollover. Annual true-up in April.
No. Massachusetts municipal utilities (MLPs) are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs. Reading Municipal Light Department operates its own rebate and efficiency programs independently. RMLD customers are NOT eligible for Mass Save programs.
To install solar panels as a Reading Municipal Light Department customer: (1) Get a free solar estimate to determine your optimal system size. (2) Contact RMLD about interconnection requirements and any pre-approval needed. (3) Choose a NABCEP-certified installer. (4) After installation, apply for any available utility rebates. (5) Your system connects to the grid and you begin saving. The process typically takes 2-4 months from signing to activation.
Get a free, personalized solar estimate tailored to RMLD’s rates and incentives. Our NABCEP-certified team handles everything from design to permitting to interconnection.
Serving Reading, Lynnfield Center, North Reading (partial) and all of Massachusetts. Free consultation, no obligation.