Solar Panel Installation in Boston, MA
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Boston has about 1,110 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Eversource below, then get quotes.
Boston solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Boston
Eversource serves homes in Boston.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| NSTAR Electric Company | investor-owned | Eversource’s net metering FAQ lists the same credit building blocks (basic service, distribution, transmission, transition) for home solar up to 25 kW; we read National Grid’s tariff in full but not Eversource’s. SMART 3.0 adds a flat per-kWh payment. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the Massachusetts incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Boston
- City of Boston Inspectional Services Department: permit information · 617-635-5300
- Solar needs both a building permit and an electrical permit, and only a contractor with a valid Massachusetts trade license can pull the electrical permit. Smaller systems on 1-2 family homes may use the Short Form, larger ones the Long Form, filed through the ISD online portal.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: Eversource net metering FAQ · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the Massachusetts license lookup (Division of Occupational Licensure) before you sign.
- State law makes void any restriction in a deed, covenant or other instrument that prohibits or unreasonably restricts a solar energy system (G.L. c. 184, section 23C), though condo trustees may still review plans.
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Boston.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Boston alone. The Massachusetts figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the Massachusetts license lookup (Division of Occupational Licensure) and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Boston
Tell us about your project in Boston. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for Boston
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Solar Panel Installation in Boston FAQs
Is solar worth it in Boston?
The sun is strong (about 1,110 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the Massachusetts incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. Massachusetts has a state income tax credit of 15 percent of cost up to $1,000 for solar on your principal residence, plus exemptions from sales tax and, for qualifying systems, local property tax.
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Boston?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. City of Boston Inspectional Services Department handles permits in Boston; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Boston?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the Massachusetts license lookup (Division of Occupational Licensure).
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.