Are Solar Panels Worth It in Massachusetts?

1. How much will it cost upfront?

Average solar panel costs in Massachusetts generally range from $15,447 to $30,893. 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 7.3 kW system, which costs $22,557 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 $3.09 in Massachusetts.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Massachusetts

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. Like a lease, 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 $155,464 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 7.32 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.

Solar panels might add 4.1% to your home’s value, but don't get solar panels just because you want to sell your house soon. Consider a home improvement project with a better return on investment, like remodeling the bathroom or kitchen, instead.

Let’s say you spend $25,000 installing solar panels on a $400,000 house. If the home sells for 4.1% more, that would add about $16,400 to the sale price. But you would still miss out on much of the long-term utility savings solar can provide over time.

Plus, Massachusetts has a property tax exemption. This means your property tax bill won’t increase if solar panels add value to your house.

5. Am I eligible for any financial incentives?

The federal solar tax credit has ended for new residential systems in 2026, 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 other utility companies offer generous solar rebates.
• The SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program pays you for solar production, providing long-term income in addition to bill savings.
• Net metering reduces your electric bill by turning excess solar energy into bill credits you can use later.

Net metering in Massachusetts

Net metering lets you earn bill credits for extra solar energy your system sends to the grid. It is available through Eversource, National Grid and Unitil, but not guaranteed with municipal utilities.

How it works: Your panels power your home first. If you produce more electricity than you need, the excess goes to the grid, and your utility applies credits to your bill. These credits can be used later, like during lower-production months. 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

Think of going solar in terms of your monthly costs. Financing solar panels can make sense if your monthly loan payment is lower than (or close to) what you would otherwise pay your utility, especially if you expect electricity rates to keep rising.

» 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.

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.

» 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.

FAQ

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