Rebates

In July 2008, Governor Patrick signed a major energy reform bill, the Green Communities Act (S.B. 2768). As part of that legislation, Massachusetts created the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS), which requires meeting 5% of the state's electric load with "alternative energy" by 2020 (as shown below). The requirement increases by 0.25% after 2020 per compliance year.

• 1.00% by 2009
• 1.50% by 2010
• 2.00% by 2011
• 2.50% by 2012
• 3.00% by 2013
• 3.50% by 2014
• 3.75% by 2015
• 4.00% by 2016
• 4.25% by 2017
• 4.50% by 2018
• 4.75% by 2019
• 5.00% by 2020

The “alternative energy generating sources” include

Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) is offering owners of electric vehicles (EVs) a rebate of $250 to offset the cost of installing some or all of the components of a Level 2 charging station. For more information, visit the program website.

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards has the authority to promulgate the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC). The energy provisions in the MSBC were developed by the Board's Energy Advisory Committee. The state's 351 cities and towns enforce the code. Only a building code board of appeals, consisting of specified technical members, may grant

Cape Light Compact (CLC) offers a variety of financial incentives to customers for purchasing energy efficient residential equipment. Residential customers can take advantage of incentives on weatherization measures, solar water heaters, central AC systems, heat pumps, oil and propane heating equipment, refrigerators, freezers, and other home appliances. Installation of a central AC systems and heat pumps must be performed by a pre-approved contractor, who will provide the rebate form. Instant rebates for certain appliances are also available at participating retailers.

CLC also offers home energy assessments, which include free energy efficient light bulbs, free air sealing, and 75-100% of the

Chicopee Electric Light offers rebates to residential customers who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their homes. Customer rebates are $1.20 per watt for a maximum of 50% of project costs or $12,000 per installation.

Customers are required to follow Chicopee Electric Light's Distributed Generation Policy and should refer to the solar rebate application for additional requirements.

Chicopee Electric Light Department (CELD) offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates for its residential customers. CELD provides rebates for heat pump water heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and heat pumps, as well as rechargeable yard equipment rebates. Customers may access the application form on the program web site.  Review the program website for more information on program requirements and terms.

The City of Boston requires that all new large developments (50,000 square feet and above) to adhere to the Green Building and Climate Resiliency Guidelines. Under these guidelines, developers must achieve LEED certification, complete a carbon-neutral building assessment, and a climate resiliency checklist

The Clean Energy Standard (CES) was created to assist in reaching Massachusetts’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals adopted pursuant to the Climate Protection and Green Economy Act. The CES requires retail electricity sellers to demonstrate on an annual basis the use of clean energy for the generation of specific electricity sale percentages.

Clean Generation Resources

The CES allows two types of clean generation resources, those from existing units and those from new units. Clean existing generation refers to existing nuclear and hydroelectric generating units that have a capacity of more than 30 MW, started operations before 2011, and are

Note: In mid-July 2024, the Department of Energy Resources filed an emergency rulemaking that made immediate rule changes to the Clean Peak Energy Standard, including adding a near-term resource multiplier and amending the minimum standards for 2025 and thereafter. Further rule changes were then made in mid-October 2024 via a follow-on emergency rulemaking that amended ACP rates, among other things.

On August 9, 2018, An Act to Advance Clean Energy (H.B. 4857) was signed into law, requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to develop the Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS). The DOER officially established the first CPS

Beginning in August 2011, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) will provide grants* for feasibility studies of commercial solar hot water systems through the Commercial Solar Hot Water Program. This program is open to residential buildings with five or more units, as well as commercial, industrial, institutional, and public facilities that will require nine or more collectors. Smaller projects should apply under the Residential and Small-Scale Solar Hot Water Program.

Commercial Solar Hot Water rebates are available to electricity customers served by the following Massachusetts investor-owned electric utilities: Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource. In addition, customers of certain municipal

NOTE: This program is no longer running for the 2019 season. Please check on the MassCEC website to see if the program will run for the 2020 season. The program typically runs from late March to early September.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources are currently offering rebates through the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program. This program assists eligible Massachusetts residents with the cost of replacing non-EPA certified wood-fired stoves with EPA-certified, low-emission woodstoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts. Old stoves must be permanently removed from service and

Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) offers rebates to commercial customers for a variety of energy efficiency measures, including lighting retrofits, solar panels, EV charging stations, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters. CMLP covers 100% of the cost of an energy audit through Energy New England for small (G1) businesses and 50% of the cost for medium (G2) and large (G3) businesses.  Audits can inspect mechanical systems, including HVAC, motors, and compressors, or can just look at lighting.

Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) offers residential customers rebates for a variety of measures, including heat pumps, water heaters, weatherization measures, LED lighting and lawn equpiment.

See program website for more details, which are subject to change.

Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) offers rebates to customers who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that are designed to offset the customer's electrical needs. Systems must be owned by the customer or leased under a leased agreement approved by Concord Light's legal counsel. Systems must be located at the customer's premise. Customers should complete the solar application and sign the terms and conditions. In addition, customers must submit a copy of the installation contract, and CMLP interconnection application. Furthermore, customers must allow CMLP access to the property and system for a rebate verification inspection.

Massachusetts Public Benefit Funds

Massachusetts's 1997 electric utility restructuring legislation created two separate public benefit funds to promote renewable energy  and energy efficiency for all customer classes

Funding and Administration

The energy efficiency fund is authorized to support energy efficiency programs, including demand-side management (DSM) programs and low-income energy programs. It is funded by several sources: a non-bypassable surcharge of $0.0025 per kilowatt-hour (2.5 mills/kWh), imposed on customers of all investor-owned electric utilities in Massachusetts; amounts generated under the Forward Capacity Market program administered by ISO-New England; cap-and-trade pollution control programs, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

By enrolling their home electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Eversource's ConnectedSolutions demand response program, residential customers are eligible to receive a rebate of up to $300. This rebate is for customers who sign up with a three-year commitment. For more information, visit the program website.

Eversource's residential EV charging program offers residential and low-income residential customers rebates for home charging installations (i.e. panel upgrade, new circuit, charging connection, etc.). Rebates are for single-family households and multifamily buildings with 2-4 units.

For more information visit Eversource's website.

In Massachusetts, businesses may deduct from net income, for state excise tax purposes, expenditures paid or incurred from the installation of any "solar or wind powered climate control unit and any solar or wind powered water heating unit or any other type unit or system powered thereby," including labor expenditures. The installation must be located in Massachusetts and used exclusively in the business or trade of the business. Certain criteria must be met, see the Massachusetts Department of Revenue guidance for more information.

Furthermore, a system or unit that qualifies for this deduction will not be taxed under the tangible

Massachusetts law exempts any "solar or wind powered climate control unit and any solar or wind powered water heating unit or any other type unit or system powered thereby," that qualifies for the state's excise tax deduction for these systems from the tangible property measure of the state's corporate excise tax. The exemption is in effect for the length of the system's depreciation period. 

Note: For information about what constitutes the corporate excise tax, please visit the official Massachusetts website.

In 2008, Massachusetts enacted the Green Communities Act (S.B. 2768), creating the Green Communities Division within the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to support Massachusetts communities efforts towards a sustainable future, specifically in terms of energy use.

The Green Communities Division offers educational, technical, and networking support to the states' communities. In addition, they provide financial incentives. The Green Communities Grant Program offers funding for communities investing in energy efficiency upgrades and policies, renewable energy technologies, and energy management systems and services.

To be eligible, communities first must apply for and achieve official designation as a "Green Community."

Home Energy Loss Prevention Services (HELPS) offers an incentive program for electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This program is offered through nine utilities: Chicopee Electric Light, Groton Electric Light Department, Hull Municipal Light Plant, Marblehead Municipal Light Department, Princeton Municipal Light Department, Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, Sterling Municipal Light Department, Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department, and West Boylston Municipal Light Plant. Incentives are based on the size of the battery and range from $200-$300 (for Groton Electric Light Department, incentives can go up to $400). For more information, visit the program website.

Holyoke Gas & Electric's Commercial Energy Conservation Program offers zero interest loans to its commercial customers who are making energy efficiency improvements to facilities. The applicant must obtain cost estimates from contractors before turning in the application. The payback period of the loan is flexible depending on the amount of assistance requested, but cannot exceed five years. Monthly payments are included on the customer's electric bill. All assistance requests greater than $10,000 require approval by the Holyoke Gas & Electric Commission.

Eligible measures include (but are not limited to): lighting improvements; installation or upgrading of gas fired boilers, furnaces, conversion

HG&E’s Residential Energy Conservation Program (RECP) provides financial assistance at 0% interest for the implementation of qualifying energy efficiency and electrification projects.  Financial assistance is repayable over a period of up to five years and repayment charges are conveniently placed on your HG&E monthly bill.  Note: A one-time processing fee of $100 applies.

Please review the step-by-step application process as well as the project-specific requirements (both located on this webpage below) before you submit your application. If you have any questions, please contact  [email protected] or 413-536-9382.

The program covers the following home improvements: central air conditioning, gas fired warm air

HLPD offers rebates to HLPD customers who install photovoltaic systems on their property. Project eligibility for a rebate is dependent on the angle/orientation of the panels, the lack of shading, and status as a customer

Massachusetts' interconnection standards apply to all forms of distributed generation (DG), including renewables, and all customers of the state's three investor-owned utilities (Unitil, Eversource, and National Grid).

Massachusetts requires investor-owned utilities to have standard interconnection tariffs. There are three basic paths for interconnection in the state:

• The Simplified interconnection process applies to IEEE 1547.1-certified, inverter-based facilities with: 
1. A power rating of 15 kW or less for single-phase systems located on a radial distribution circuit, 
2. A power rating of 25 kW or less for three-phase systems located on a radial distribution circuit (where the aggregated facility capacity is less than 15% of

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Mansfield Municipal Electric Department encourages energy efficiency through the ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Incentive Program. Cash rebates are offered for ENERGY STAR central air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes washing machines, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, dryers, and window air conditioners. Mansfield offers a weatherization rebate program to assist residential customers offset the cost of energy efficiency measures, covering 50% of costs up to $1,000. All eligible measures through this program must come from a recommendation made in the ENE Home Energy Assessment audit. Mansfield also offers rebates for residential electric vehicle charging stations.

Interested customers should view the program website under rebates and savings

The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) is a member of MMWEC's NEXTZERO, a residential energy conservation service for Massachusetts municipal utility customers. NEXTZERO provides Energy Education, Home Energy Audits, Assistance with Home Energy Improvements and ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebates.  Equipment eligibility and additional program requirements can be found in the rebate guide located on the program website. Contact Marblehead Municipal Light Department for more details on this program.

About Mass Save

Your local electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service provider are taking strides in energy efficiency: Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid and Unitil.

As one, we form Mass Save®, with the common goal of helping residents and businesses across Massachusetts save money and energy, leading our state to a clean and energy-efficient future.

These programs and services are managed and delivered by electric and gas Sponsors (working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources), providing the energy expertise to help you save energy and money. The funding is supported

Gas Networks organizes residential conservation services for programs administered by Massachusetts gas companies. These gas providers include Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil. The programs are available to all customers which have homes that buy natural gas from one of Mass Save's member companies. Customers must notify their Mass Save program administrator technical representative to begin the pre-approval process.

Residential customers of Cape Light Compact, National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, and municipal electric customers served by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts or Liberty Utilities may be eligible for zero-interest financing to help increase the energy efficiency of their homes through the Mass Save HEAT Loan Program. This financing is available to all residential customers who own and reside in a one to four-family residence, obtain a Home Energy Assessment through the Mass Save Program, and install the recommended energy efficiency improvements.

The loans are available up to $50,000 (depending on utility) with terms of up to seven years.  Energy efficiency improvements eligible for

Massachusetts offers fixed low-interest loans to residents purchasing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. One purpose of this program is to provide more opportunity for residents to own solar PV systems, rather than enter into third-party ownership arrangements. This program is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with oversight from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The program is funded by alternative compliance payments paid to comply with the state's renewable portfolio standard.

Eligibility Requirements

Loans are available to Massachusetts residents purchasing a solar PV system or a share in a behind-the-meter community shared solar system. Third-party owned projects are

The community renewable energy program in Massachusetts was first brought to legislation on July 2nd, 2008 through Chapter 169 of the Act of 2008 within Massachusetts' session laws. This Act introduced "neighborhood net metering" to Massachusetts, establishing the framework for community net metering projects. Neighborhood net metering is any Class I, II or III net metering facility serving 10 or more residential customers, served by a single distribution company and located within the customers' neighborhood. Net metering facility classification definitions may be found within the act here.

An important addition to neighborhood net metering comes from the Code of

Clean Energy Standard (CES) and CES-E: The CES sets a minimum percentage of electricity sales that retail electricity suppliers must procure from new clean energy sources beyond the RPS requirements. The CES began in 2018 at 16% and increases 2% annually to 80% in 2050. The CES-E applies to clean generating resources that pre-existed the RPS and is 20% for 2021.

Solar Carve-Out (SCO) & Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART):  As part of the RPS, the SCO program, initiated in 2010 and expanded in 2014, requires electricity suppliers to meet a portion of the RPS obligation through solar energy

In April 2021, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed Executive Order 594, titled “Leading By Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government.” This order establishes numerous energy targets and mandates for all executive branch agencies and all public institutions of higher education. 

These include the following:

• Reduce overall site energy use intensity (EUI), defined as weather-normalized Btu per square foot, from a 2004 baseline at state owned buildings by 20% in 2025, and by 25% in 2030.
  
• Reduce state government unadjusted greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles from the 2004 baseline by 25% by 2025, 35% by 2030

Zoning ordinances or by-laws may encourage the use of solar energy systems and protect solar access by regulation of the orientation of streets, lots and buildings, maximum building height limits, minimum building set back requirements, limitations on the type, height and placement of vegetation and other provisions. Zoning ordinances or by-laws may also establish buffer zones and additional districts that protect solar access which overlap existing zoning districts. Zoning ordinances or by-laws may further regulate the planting and trimming of vegetation on public property to protect the solar access of private and public solar energy systems and buildings. Solar energy

Note: This model ordinance was designed to provide guidance to local governments seeking to develop siting rules for large-scale, ground-mounted solar (250 kW and above). While it was developed as part of a cooperative effort involving several state agencies, the model itself has no legal or regulatory authority.

As part of the Green Communities Act (passed in 2008), the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) developed an “as-of-right siting,”* model ordinance guiding the development of large-scale solar, which is defined as 250 kilowatts (kW) or more.

The model “as-of-right” siting must

Note: This model ordinance was designed to provide guidance to local governments seeking to develop their own siting rules for wind turbines. While it was developed as part of a cooperative effort involving several state agencies, the model itself has no legal or regulatory authority. 

In 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) issued a model ordinance or by-law that may be modified and adopted, as necessary, by local governments that want to promote wind-energy development. In 2009, DOER and EOEA amended the model ordinance to cover both small and

The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program issues rebates to drivers of electric vehicles. This program provides incentives for eligible battery EVs and Fuel Cell EVs (FCEVs).

Income-qualified residents participating in one of several approved programs may also be given an added $1,500 rebate under the MOR-EV+ program. Eligible applicants must apply for the MOR-EV+ rebate separately to receive the added incentive.

Participating dealerships will offer $3,500 for the purchase or lease of eligible battery and Fuel Cell EVs. 

For those wanting to trade in a qualifying vehicle, the MOR-EV Trade-In program offers an additional $1,000. Vehicles that

The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program issues rebates to drivers of electric vehicles. The MOR-EV Trucks Program aims to increase the use of electric trucks in the state of Massachusetts so as to reduce air pollution emissions. Purchases or leases of battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles that cost less than $2 million and have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds are eligible to receive a rebate. Rebates are based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and decline as rebate blocks are filled.

10,001 - 14,000 GVWR: $15,000

14,001 - 16,000 GVWR: $30,000

National Grid's residential EV charging infrastructure program offers residential and low-income residential customers rebates for EV smart chargers and 240V circuit/outlet purchases for the purpose of charging an EV. Rebates are available for single-family households and 2-4 unit buildings.

For more information visit National Grid's website.

*Note: In February 2024, the Department of Public Utilities and the net metering rules. The rule changes added a first-in-the-nation mechanism that allows new solar net metering, and cap-exempt class II and class III facilities, to transfer credits across the state's distribution companies and the state's three ISO-NE load zones; and credits can also be transferred to customers in more than one company service territory. You can find a summary of the rule changes by clicking here.

In January 2023, the Department also opened an investigation (Docket No. 23-20) to implement revisions made according to Section 55

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) provides the NextZero Program to twenty-one municipal utilities in Massachusetts. 

 NextZero offers a home energy audit, appliance and lighting rebates, air conditioner and heat pump rebates, and other incentives for the implementation of measures recommended in an audit. Participating utilities customize the suite of rebates provided to customers in order to help those customers implement measures recommended in the energy audit. In addition, NextZero offers utilities the opportunity to offer rebates for installing solar photovoltaic systems.

The following municipalities offer HELPS rebates: Ashburnham, Belmont, Boylston, Chicopee, Groton, Holden Holyoke, Hull, Ipswich, Mansfield, Marblehead

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) offers energy efficiency incentives to eligible commercial and industrial customers. 

Customers who install qualified grid-connected renewable energy systems on their property may be eligible for a rebate of $1,200 per kilowatt (kW), not to exceed 50% of a project’s cost up to $120,000. RMLD preapproval is required.

Additionally,  incentives are available for air-source heat pumps, lighting, lawn equipment, and renewable energy installations.

RMLD offers rebates to qualifying customers who install a grid-connected solar system at their home or business that is less than 20 kilowatts (kW) in size. The RMLD will provide administrative support throughout the progression of the project.

Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) offers rebates of $600/kilowatt for solar photovoltaic installations up to a maximum of $12,000 for residential customers under its Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program.

Pre-approval is required and interested residential customers should contact RMLD at the onset of project interest and implementation.

Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) offers rebates to residential customers who install Energy efficient equipment in their homes. Additionally, rebates are offered for energy assessments, lawn equipment, and heat pumps. Rebates are subject to change with the availability of funding. Also, renewable energy rebates are available. More information and the rebate application forms may be found on the program website.

Massachusetts law exempts from the state's sales tax "equipment directly relating to any solar, wind powered; or heat pump system, which is being utilized as a primary or auxiliary power system for the purpose of heating or otherwise supplying the energy needs of an individual's principal residence in the commonwealth."

Massachusetts Tax Form ST-12 is available on the Massachusetts Department of Revenue web site. The form may be completed and presented to the vendor at the time of purchase.

Massachusetts law provides that solar energy systems and wind energy systems or solar and wind systems that are co-located with an energy storage system that meet the following criteria are exempt from local property tax for a 20-year period: can produce at most 125% of the annual electricity needs of the real property; has a system capacity that is 25 kW or less; or an individual system -- or a combination therein -- that entered into an agreement for payment in lieu of taxes associated with the municipality that the system is located in. A period greater than 20 years

Massachusetts Public Benefit Funds

Massachusetts's 1997 electric utility restructuring legislation created two separate public benefit funds to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency for all customer classes.

Funding and Administration

The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund is supported by a non-bypassable systems benefits charge of $0.0005 per kilowatt-hour (0.5 mill/kWh), imposed on customers of all investor-owned electric utilities and competitive municipal utilities in Massachusetts. (Non-competitive municipal utilities generally may opt into the Fund by agreeing to the same provisions that apply to investor-owned utilities and competitive municipal utilities.) 

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a quasi-public research and development entity, administers

Massachusetts' 1997 electric-utility restructuring legislation created the framework for a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). In April 2002, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) adopted RPS regulations. The RPS was significantly expanded by legislation enacted in July 2008 (Green Communities Act, S.B. 2768), which established two separate renewable standards -- a standard for “Class I” renewables, and a standard for “Class II” renewables -- as well as an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.

Class I Requirements (New Resources)

Under the Class I Renewable Portfolio Standard, all retail electricity suppliers must provide a minimum percentage of kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales

Massachusetts offers rebates for the installation of small-scale, high-efficiency, cold-climate air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) in residential, commercial, public, and non-profit buildings.

Project sites must be located in a utility territory that contributes to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, and municipal light plants that have agreed to pay into the fund). Alternatively, the project may be located in the territory of a municipal light plant that does not pay into the fund if the project will be replacing an existing (non-ASHP) electric heating system.

Rebate amount varies by type and size of project. Rebate amounts are as

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center offers rebates for installing small-scale central wood pellet heating systems in residential, commercial, public, and non-profit buildings.

Project sites must be located in a utility territory that contributes to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, and municipal light plants that have agreed to pay into the fund). Project sites must also be occupied year-round.

Rebates amounts vary by type of project. A thermal storage adder is also available for the lesser of 100% of thermal storage system installation costs or $2,000. Rebate amounts are as follows:

Residential: 40% of eligible project costs

Massachusetts offers rebates for the installation of new, small-scale high-efficiency ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) in residential, multi-family, commercial, institutional, and non-profit buildings. 

Project sites must be located in a utility territory that contributes to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, and municipal light plants that have agreed to pay into the fund). Project sites must also be occupied year-round.

Rebate amount varies by the size of the system(s) installed. Efficiency adders are available and are based on the system's Coefficient of Performance (COP). Adders based on income and customer type are also available. Rebate amounts and adders

This program offers a one-time payment to homeowners installing solar hot water. A two-collector system could receive approximately 100 AECs totaling $400-$1,000.

Municipal Light Plant (MLP)

If you live in a town served by a Municipal Light Plant (MLP) check your MLP’s website for incentives and rebates.

Mass State Tax Credits

15% of the system cost as a state tax credit, up to $1,000

Federal Tax Credits

Inflation Reduction Act: Federal tax credit up to 30%

Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) offers energy efficiency incentives to eligible residential and small commercial customers. 

Customers who install qualified grid-connected solar energy systems on their property may be eligible for a rebate of $600 per kilowatt (kW), not to exceed 50% of a project’s cost excluding tax up to $12,000. RMLD preapproval is required.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center(MassCEC) provides rebates for the installation of small-scale ground-source heat pump (“GSHP”) systems, as part of MassCEC's Clean Heating & Cooling programs. Through the program, MassCEC supports new and retrofit ground-source heat pump installations by single-family, with incentive adders to low-income families.

Rebate Levels: 

New GSHP installations: 

Residential rebates are limited to the first 5 tons through this program at a base rate of $2,000 per heating ton. Full replacement of an existing GSHP installation may be considered a new GSHP installation. Following adders are available: 

• $1,500 per heating ton to households with income lower than 80%

In Massachusetts, home builders constructing new homes in territories of sponsoring utilities and energy efficiency service providers* can receive up to $7,000 in incentives for building a home more efficient than the typical Massachusetts home.

The incentives offered in the Massachusetts program vary depending on the tier level achieved and the type of housing. The incentives listed here are for single-family (detached or up to 4-attached units) homes. For the multi-family incentives, see the MassSave website.

There are two options for participation in the program: the prescriptive path and the performance path. The prescriptive path requires certain energy efficiency

Massachusetts allows a 15% credit -- up to $1,000 -- against the state income tax for the net expenditure* of a renewable energy system (including installation costs) installed on an individual’s primary residence. If the credit amount is greater than a resident's income tax liability, the excess credit amount may be carried forward to the next succeeding year for up to three years. Eligible technologies include solar water and space heating, photovoltaics (PV), and wind energy systems. The original use of the system must begin with the taxpayer, and the system should “reasonably be expected to remain in operation for

Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations (SELCO) offers a solar rebate program. The rebate program allows residential customers to apply for an incentive for the purchase, installation, and usage of solar PV. The program offers $0.10 per watt up to 10 kW DC of installed capacity. The max rebate is 25% of the installed cost, up to $1,000. Solar installations must have less than 20% shading, facing between 90 and 270 degrees east and west respectively.

In collaboration with MMWEC and NextZero, Shrewsbury Electric offers rebates on ENERGY STAR appliances. Eligible products include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, air sealing, and smart thermostats. Customers will need to fill out an appliance mail-in rebate form that can be obtained at the Town Hall or on the Town of Shrewsbury web site. Information will be required including the customer's Electric Company account number, equipment brand with serial number, and a copy of the sales receipt. Contact Shrewsbury Electric for any additional information regarding this program.

Note: The Department of Energy Resources released a straw proposal in July 2024 stipulating several proposed changes to the SMART program, including the following: amendments to the energy storage and solar canopy adder, a new raised racking adder, no more separate adders for community shared solar and low-income community shared solar, specific discounts for customers under community solar project contracts, changes to capacity allocations for small and large solar projects, and a new fixed SMART incentive payment for small projects, among others. Draft regulations are expected to be filed sometime in Fall 2024.

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program

Note: Massachusetts is in the process of implementing a new solar incentive program - the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program - to follow the SREC II program. 

Massachusetts' renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requires each regulated electricity supplier/provider serving retail customers in the state* to include in the electricity it sells 15% qualifying renewables by December 31, 2020. Legislation enacted in July 2008 (S.B. 2768) significantly expanded the RPS, establishing two separate renewable standards -- a standard for “Class I” renewables and a standard for “Class II” renewables. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) regulates the RPS and developed

Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (TMLP) offers the 'House N Home' Thermal Rebate Program, which provides financial incentives to residential and non-profit customers for making buildings more energy efficient. Customers are eligible to receive 50% of the total cost of materials and labor, up to $500. Measures eligible for incentives include attic insulation, wall insulation, rim joist insulation, air-sealing measures, window treatments, and pipe/duct insulation. In order to participate, customers must allow TMLP to conduct a free energy audit and provide recommendations. Customers must have an active residential or non-profit electric account with TMLP for 6 months or greater, have a

Residential customers of Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (TMLP) are eligible for rebates on energy efficient appliances. Clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, heat pumps, and room A/C units are eligible for these incentives, which range from $25 - $100. All equipment must be Energy Star certified to qualify. This offer is limited and subject to the availability of funding. View the rebate brochure for more information on procedures and equipment. Customers should send rebate forms to the address provided on the program website. Contact TMLP for more information on this offering.

Note: Program funding ends on May 31, 2024.

Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (TMLP) offers a rebate of $1.50/Watt rebate on solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, up to a maximum rebate of $4,500. Additionally, customers can receive a $1.20/Watt rebate from the DOER, up to 50%. The system must be installed on a single-family dwelling residence and the customer must be the owner of the PV system and be current on his/her electric bill. This is a first-come, first-served program with a limited budget, so customers are encouraged to verify funding levels prior to making financial decisions. Customers are allowed only

The Town of Ipswich Electric Light Department offers a solar PV rebate program to residential and commercial customers. The incentive is $0.30 per watt, up to $3,000. In order to be eligible, systems must have a capacity of 25 kW-DC or less, have less than 20% shading, and face between 90 and 270 degrees east and west respectively. System size limits for interconnection are 10 kW-DC (residential) and 30 kW-DC (commercial).

The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD), offers the "Incentive Rebate Program" to encourage residential customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. All home energy efficiency incentive rebates require an audit through the NextZero program before any work is done and requires a post-installation inspection. There is a maximum rebate of $1,500 for energy efficiency improvements approved by a NextZero audit per qualifying customer per year. Eligible upgrades include various forms of insulation, weather stripping, and window and door replacement. This incentive is available to the customer once every 12 months. Application forms can be filled out

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) offers a one-time solar rebate to its customers. The rebate is set at $0.80/watt off of the total installed cost. Eligible solar installations cannot be above 10 kW DC (residential) and 25 kW DC (commercial), must have less than 20% shading, and face between 90 and 270 degrees. Systems larger than the stated kW DC eligibility cannot use the rebate.

Click here for the online application. For more information contact WMGLD.

Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) offers a number of appliance rebates to residential customers who purchase and install energy efficient equipment. Rebates are available for refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and central air conditioning units. Only Energy Star qualified equipment is eligible for this program. Residential customers must be in good standing with WMLP, purchase qualified equipment, submit necessary paperwork, and follow all installation requirements in order to be eligible. Customers must provide a copy of the EnergyGuide label from the appliance with the Energy Star logo or a printout from the Energy Star website showing that