The best solar installers in Massachusetts
A geographically balanced top 5 spanning Greater Boston, the North Shore, Central MA / Worcester, MetroWest, and the Pioneer Valley / Western MA — so homeowners across the state have a local-to-them option in the top picks. For other regions including the South Shore and Cape Cod, see the Honorable mentions below.
Boston Solar Local
Why listed: Founded 2011 — one of the longest-tenured MA-HQ residential installers, with thousands of in-state installs. Uses in-house crews (no subcontracting) and carries Solar Power World Top Contractor recognition. Strong working knowledge of Eversource and National Grid interconnection workflows plus the SMART production-based incentive enrollment process.
SunBug Solar Local
Why listed: Boston-area residential installer in business since 2009. NABCEP-certified team, strong EnergySage and SolarReviews profiles, and consistent recognition for installation quality. Known for handling the historical-district and triple-decker rooftop scenarios common in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline that trip up out-of-state crews.
New England Clean Energy Local
Why listed: MetroWest-HQ residential installer operating since 2006 with deep expertise in the SMART program block-tier mechanics — particularly helpful because timing your application can change the production-based payment rate for the full 10-year term. Strong reputation for installation quality and post-install service in the Worcester, MetroWest, and Central MA market.
Brightstar Solar Local
Why listed: Family-owned MA installer designing rooftop residential systems since 2009. Strong reputation for design care, quality control, and clear written warranties — and explicitly does not employ door-to-door sales reps. Good fit for homeowners who want a small-firm experience with a project manager who answers the phone after install.
PV Squared Local
Why listed: Worker-owned cooperative based in Greenfield, in business since 2002 — one of the longest-tenured residential solar installers in Western Massachusetts. B Corp certified, NABCEP-certified installers on staff, and the strongest in-state HQ option for homeowners in the Pioneer Valley, Berkshires, and the Springfield / Northampton / Amherst corridor where Boston-area installers are less convenient.
National installers National
Sunrun, Tesla Energy, and Palmetto Solar are the major national installers still actively taking new Massachusetts residential contracts as of 2026. Palmetto Solar currently holds EnergySage's Elite+ tier — the platform's highest installer rating. National installers typically have larger sales footprints but also higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the state-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
Honorable mentions
Additional installers worth getting a quote from — strong Massachusetts-based alternatives and regional installers that serve MA from neighboring New England states.
Other Massachusetts-based installers
Viridis Energy Local
Why listed: EnergySage award-winning MA residential installer with consistently strong customer-satisfaction ratings on the platform. Greater Boston focus with statewide reach. Worth a quote for homeowners who weight EnergySage credentialing heavily.
Wattson Home Solutions Local
Why listed: Worcester-headquartered residential installer operating since 2008. EnergySage-listed with strong customer-satisfaction ratings on the platform. Useful Central / Western MA option for homeowners outside the Boston market who want a contractor based closer to home.
My Generation Energy Local
Why listed: Cape Cod-HQ residential installer with deep experience in Cape, Islands, and South Shore coastal-weather installs. Strong third-party review profile and longstanding local presence make it a sensible Cape-side complement to the Greater Boston picks above.
Regional installers serving Massachusetts
Worth a quote if you're in Western MA (closer to NY/VT) or northern MA (closer to NH), but expect longer drive times for service calls than a fully MA-based installer.
ReVision Energy Regional
Why listed: Employee-owned, B Corp certified northern New England residential and commercial installer with MA service from its Brentwood, NH and Bedford, MA offices. Strong third-party credentials (Solar Power World Top Contractor multiple years running) and the only sizeable regional alternative covering northern Massachusetts with deep New England operating history.
Trinity Solar Regional
Why listed: One of the larger East Coast regional installers, with active MA residential operations. Get a quote for benchmarking against the in-state picks above, but vet carefully — Trinity is a high-volume regional operator and customer experience is more variable than with the smaller MA-HQ installers. Read the BBB and EnergySage review profiles before signing.
Massachusetts solar economics in 2026
| Metric | Massachusetts average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.30–$0.34 / kWh |
| Typical 8 kW system cost (cash) | $22,000–$28,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W | $2.75–3.60 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,200–1,350 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | Net metering at retail (under cap) plus SMART production-based incentive |
| Average cash payback | 9–11 years |
For full state-by-state cost comparison see solar cost by state.
Massachusetts solar incentives and rebates (2026)
Massachusetts stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
Massachusetts state-level incentives
- MA Residential Solar Tax Credit: 15% of system cost, capped at $1,000 (Form Schedule EC).
- SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target): Production-based incentive paid for 10 years; block-tier rate that steps down. Capacity blocks open and close — timing matters.
- Property tax exemption: MA Statute Ch.59 §5 (Cl 45) — 20-year property tax exemption.
- Sales tax: MA sales tax exemption for solar PV equipment.
Net metering & utility programs in Massachusetts
MA retail-rate NEM for systems under 10 kW; allocation classes for larger. See also net metering explained.
- Eversource MA: SMART + NEM www.eversource.com
- National Grid MA: SMART + NEM www.nationalgridus.com
- Unitil: SMART + NEM
- Munis (Concord, Wellesley, Belmont, etc.): Each muni has own NEM rules and rebates
Massachusetts battery storage incentives
ConnectedSolutions: Eversource and National Grid utility battery dispatch program — pays homeowner ~$275/kW-summer + $50/kW-winter (verify 2026 rate). Strong residual income.
Massachusetts EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- State EV purchase rebate: MOR-EV: Up to $3,500 for new EV ($1,500 used) — verify 2026 funding.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many Massachusetts utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- MassCEC: www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-clean-energy-center
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=MA — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
What to verify before signing in Massachusetts
- Contractor license: Verify with your state contractor licensing authority before signing.
- NABCEP certification: Most reputable installers carry NABCEP-certified installers on staff. Ask which crew member holds the certification.
- Insurance: General liability + workers comp + roofer's insurance separate from electrical insurance.
- References from your county: Permitting and inspection requirements vary. Ask for 2–3 references from your specific county.
- Get at least three bids: Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Got bids from Massachusetts installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any Massachusetts installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and financing structure — and tells you which one to sign.
Analyze My Bids →Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts solar
Does solar make sense in Massachusetts?
Yes for most homeowners with a $150+ monthly electric bill, an unshaded roof, and 8+ years of expected ownership. Massachusetts's specific economics are summarized in the table above.
How much does a typical Massachusetts solar install cost in 2026?
$22,000–$28,000 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Effective net cost depends on your state and utility incentives.
Should I get more than three bids?
Yes — three is a minimum. Four or five is better. Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Are there other reputable Massachusetts solar installers besides these?
Many. The list above represents installers with strong public profiles in Massachusetts; reputable installers exist beyond it. Get bids from a mix and compare them objectively rather than relying on any one list.