1. How much will it cost upfront?
Average solar panel costs in Massachusetts generally start between $14,550 and $29,100. On the high end, Nathan in Pittsfield told us he paid $50,000 for a 17-kW system.
The size of your system is one of the biggest solar cost factors. A typical Massachusetts household needs about a 10.98 kW system, which costs $31,952 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.
Installers price systems according to their wattage. Similar to “cost per square foot” when buying a house, “cost per watt” lets you compare the relative value of a solar panel system. According to our research, the average cost per watt is $2.91 in Massachusetts.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Massachusetts
| 5 kW | 6 kW | 7 kW | 8 kW | 9 kW | 10 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | $14,550 | $17,460 | $20,370 | $23,280 | $26,190 | $29,100 |
| Boston | $15,000 | $18,000 | $21,000 | $24,000 | $27,000 | $30,000 |
| Cambridge | $14,900 | $17,880 | $20,860 | $23,840 | $26,820 | $29,800 |
How to estimate what system size you need
First, look at your electric bill. It should say how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used last year. Then, divide that number by 1,200 to estimate your system size in kilowatts (kW).
Adding solar battery storage costs an extra $7,000 to $18,000.
For example, if you used 12,000 kWh of electricity last year, you would need a 10-kW system. If you used 10,800 kWh, you would need a 9-kW system.
Once you know your current energy consumption, you can calculate your potential savings. Anecdotally, Rosineia in Hyannis told us they use a lot of electricity and save about $1,000 per year with solar panels.
Think about battery storage
Solar panels only generate electricity while the sun is shining. Without a battery, that unused energy goes to the grid, and you’ll still depend on utility power after dark.
It’s worth considering if you expect utility rates to keep rising, and it may be essential if you want backup power or greater energy independence. The biggest downside to a solar battery is the price. Adding one can increase your total system costs by $7,000 to $18,000.
Consider payment options
Going solar is a major purchase, much like buying a car. You could pay cash, but a lot of people finance or lease with minimal upfront costs. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) can let homeowners go solar with little or no upfront cost.
One resident, Earl in Quincy, spent $17,000 upfront. His monthly bills went from $300 to $50 or $60. He expects to break even after about six and a half years. “After that, I will have free electricity for the next 19 years. It’s awesome,” he wrote in a review.
For some homeowners, it can mean a lower and more predictable monthly payment than a traditional electric bill. Janet in Sandwich is happy leasing her system. “I haven't paid an electric bill in years,” she told us. Instead, she pays a $109 monthly lease payment.
2. How much will I save over time?
Over 25 years, the average Massachusetts homeowner with solar panels is estimated to avoid $92,499 in total utility costs. That projected amount can vary based on future utility rates, your household’s electricity use and how much power your system produces.
How much you save really depends on your electricity usage. Robert in Southwick said he saved $400 per month, but Elaine in Woburn said she only saved $173 last year.
Did you know?
Solar panels are especially helpful if you also have an electric car, like Ronald in Groton: “I’ve driven a Chevy Bolt EV since 2019, charging from my roof solar, essentially costing me nothing and saving 2 tons of CO2 by not using fossil fuel,” he told us.
3. Is my house a good candidate for solar panels?
This is really three questions to ask yourself:
How old are your appliances?
The first step is to make sure your home uses electricity as efficiently as possible. For instance, if you have an older refrigerator or air conditioning unit, it’s smart to upgrade those before investing in solar panels.
What is the size and angle of your roof?
Solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs. The worst place to install would be on north-facing roofs, especially if those roofs have a high pitch. If the only place you can install is a north-facing roof with a 30-degree pitch, your costs will likely go up by 30% to 40%.
What is the condition of your roof?
If you have to replace your roof, do that before you install solar panels. Solar panels are designed to last 25 to 30 years, so you want your roof to last just as long. Otherwise, it could cost thousands to remove the panels, fix your roof and reinstall the panels again.
Bundling these massive home improvement projects together often streamlines the process and lowers the overall price tag. Lori in Massachusetts secured a package deal where her provider “replaced my roof and took down a tree” before installing the actual panels.
Potential roof problems
If your roof is aging or may need replacement within the next several years, address that before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.
» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?
4. How long will I stay in my house?
It takes years for electric bill savings to offset the initial cost — about 5.8 years years on average in Massachusetts. If you sell your house and move before then, you might not fully realize the financial benefits of your solar investment.
Solar panels last 25 to 30 years.
It’s true that solar panels can increase the value of your home. But they can also complicate a sale. This is especially true if you lease your system, since the buyer may need to take over the contract.
If you think you’ll move in the next couple of years, you may want to consider a home improvement project with a better return on investment, like a kitchen or bathroom remodel.
I will have free electricity for the next 19 years. It’s awesome.”
5. Am I eligible for any financial incentives?
The 30% federal solar tax credit is gone, but there are several solar incentives in Massachusetts that you may be able to take advantage of:
Hudson Light & Power, Reading Municipal Light Department and some other local utilities offer solar rebates.
The SMART 3.0 program pays qualifying solar owners based on how much electricity their system produces.
Net metering can lower your electric bill by giving you credits for excess solar energy you send to the grid.
Net metering in Massachusetts
Net metering lets you earn bill credits for extra solar energy your system sends to the grid. It is available to eligible customers of Eversource, National Grid and Unitil. Municipal utilities set their own rules.
How it works: Your panels power your home first. If you produce more electricity than you use, the excess goes to the grid and earns bill credits that can help offset future electricity use. As Nancy in Southborough told us, “We build a credit during the summer months, but in the winter, we need to use it.”
Monthly costs: solar payments vs. savings
Compare your monthly solar loan payment plus your remaining electric bill with what you pay your utility now. Solar financing may make sense if the total is lower — or close enough that future electricity rate increases could improve your savings over time.
» COMPARE: Massachusetts’s top solar companies
Regional solar considerations in Massachusetts
Whether going solar is worth it also depends on where you live in Massachusetts. The state only gets 2.5 to 3.5 peak sun hours daily. Lots of shading — like tall trees above your roof — will make your solar system less efficient. Since solar panels generate more power with more sunlight, this can affect the financial returns on your investment.
You will likely see some seasonal fluctuations in how your panels perform. Sean in Brimfield and others have told us that they still have to pay an electric bill during the winter.
We suggest using NLR's PVWatts calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel system could generate on your house over a year.
| Statewide | Boston | Cambridge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical installation cost | $31,952 | $25,380 | $25,628 |
| Payback period | 5.8 years | 5.8 years | 5.8 years |
| Utility costs avoided over 25 years | $92,499 | $92,499 | $92,499 |
Pros and cons of solar panels in Massachusetts
It’s a common misconception that solar panels will completely eliminate your monthly power bill. This is not always the case. Still, you’ll likely be paying much less than you would for traditional utility bills.
Pros
- Long-term savings
- Better for the environment
- Low maintenance costs
- May increase home resale value
Cons
- Upfront costs
- Seasonal production variations
- Roof repair or installation risks
» MORE: Solar energy pros and cons
Compare solar companies in Massachusetts
Read our guides to the top solar companies in Boston and the top solar companies in Cambridge for more.
| Company | Customer rating | Max. panel efficiency | Panel warranty | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sunrun | Get Started | 4.3 | 22% | 25 years | 2007 |
 Earthlight Solar & Energy Solutions | Learn More | 4.7 | Varies | Varies | 2008 |
 Freedom Forever | Learn More | 3.6 | Varies | 25 years | 2011 |
FAQ
What are the benefits of going solar in Massachusetts?
Lower and more predictable energy bills: Electricity rates are relatively high in Massachusetts, and households use enough electricity for solar to generate meaningful savings over time. Going solar now means that your monthly energy expenses will be more predictable (and often lower). Solar panels also protect you from future energy cost increases.
Protection from power outages: A solar battery may help keep essential appliances or parts of your home powered during an outage, depending on how the system is configured. Kevin in Lenox wrote in a review, “We've had power outages and the battery backups have been great, especially in the winter time,” he said. “We had one very long power outage and the batteries kept us going.”
Better for the environment: Traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas release carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants into the air. Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, a clean and renewable energy source. Installing solar panels on your roof helps the environment primarily by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Higher home resale value: Installing solar panels can increase a home’s value. The exact increase in value varies by location, with homes in active solar markets sometimes seeing even higher boosts.
More energy independence: Some homeowners pair solar with battery storage for more energy independence and backup power during outages.
What are the drawbacks of going solar in Massachusetts?
Potential roof leaks: The installation process involves drilling holes into the roof to anchor the panel mounting systems. If not done correctly, this can lead to leaks or structural damage.
Energy production varies: Solar panels still work on cloudy days, but they produce less power when there’s less sunlight. Snow can also reduce output until it melts or is cleared away.
Solar equipment is expensive: Even with rebates and other financial incentives, the price typically starts between $10,000 and $30,000. It’s even more expensive if you want a solar battery for energy storage. Solar battery costs are generally between $7,000 and $18,000.
Could make your house harder to sell: Solar panels can make a home harder to sell if they’re leased or financed, since the buyer may have to take over the agreement. Some buyers may also worry about roof repairs, maintenance or whether the system will actually save them money.
» MORE: Solar energy pros and cons
What is the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels?
The difference comes down to efficiency and materials: monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals, whereas polycrystalline panels are made from various silicon fragments melted together. Both are types of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels?
Solar leases can be a lower-upfront-cost option in 2026, especially if you have limited savings and do not want to take on debt.
One resident, David in Brockton, had an interesting perspective on leases: “It's not like you're gonna go out and buy a bunch of solar panels for your house then six months or a year later, go, ‘I wish I hadn't bought them. I wish I had bought something else.’ If you're leasing them, they're not yours and you don't have to worry about it. If they don't work, you don't have to fix them,” he wrote in a review.
» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy
Are solar panels expensive to maintain?
No, solar panels have relatively low maintenance costs. If you clean the solar panels yourself, the only maintenance cost will be the water used to hose them down. Hiring a professional to clean your solar panels typically costs between $100 and $350.
What does cost per watt mean?
Most installers set the price according to the system’s wattage. Similar to “cost per square foot” when buying a house, “cost per watt” allows you to compare the relative value of a solar panel system. It shows you the per-dollar price of your system’s energy production potential.
Are solar scams common in Massachusetts?
Be wary of door-to-door sales pitches and high-pressure tactics. Solar scammers often promise big cash incentives and free equipment or over-inflate payouts from net metering. Some also report shoddy installations and nonfunctioning panels installed by unqualified contractors.
Bottom line: Is going solar worth it for you?
Given rising energy costs in Massachusetts and elsewhere, financing solar panels makes sense as long as your monthly loan payment is less than what you would be paying the utility company anyway. Solar panels essentially generate free electricity once the initial installation costs are paid.
Solar costs vs. savings: Massachusetts and nearby states
| 6-kW system cost (before incentives) | 10-kW system cost (before incentives) | Typical system size needed* | Average cost per watt | Total utility power cost savings** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $16,020 | $26,700 | 11.84 kW | $2.67 | $79,390 |
| Massachusetts | $17,460 | $29,100 | 10.98 kW | $2.91 | $92,499 |
| New Hampshire | $17,280 | $28,800 | 12.83 kW | $2.88 | $35,806 |
| New York | $16,560 | $27,600 | 12.24 kW | $2.76 | $71,770 |
| Rhode Island | $16,620 | $27,700 | 11.38 kW | $2.77 | $77,796 |
| Vermont | $16,500 | $27,500 | 11.15 kW | $2.75 | $98,684 |
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
DSIRE, “Massachusetts Programs.” Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
Mass.gov, "Massachusetts net metering guide." Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
Federal Trade Commission, “Solar Power for Your Home.” Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
Solar Energy Industries Association, “Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Energy.” Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "SMART 3.0 Program Details." Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
Concord Municipal Light Plant, "Solar Panels and Batteries." Accessed Sept. 30, 2026.
