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Updated: Oct 31, 2024, 3:28pm
Reviewed By
| EditorMaking the switch to solar can make sense to Massachusetts homeowners from a green energy perspective. However, the hefty upfront costs are likely making the decision more difficult. Luckily, even though solar panels are an investment, homeowners in Massachusetts can be assured that it will pay off over time.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Massachusetts is currently ranked #11 in the country for solar power. Nearly 25% of the Bay State’s electricity is generated by solar—enough to power more than 777,000 homes. Even during those long, cold New England winters, there is still plenty of sunlight available to charge up solar panels, so Massachusetts solar customers will still generate energy and save money on electric bills all throughout the year.
Several top solar companies, both national and local, boast excellent reputations for quality workmanship and customer service. To help inform your decision, the Forbes Home team has conducted vast research to identify the best solar panel installation companies in Massachusetts.
The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the solar companies methodology for the ratings below.
Featured Partners
1
Green Home Systems
BBB Grade
Not accredited
Financing Options
Full purchase and loan
Number of States Covered
21
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
Key Takeaways
The solar installers Tesla and Palmetto top our best solar companies in Massachusetts list. We chose Tesla as our top choice because of its innovations in the space and its wide availability.
We compared the ratings and costs of Massachusetts solar panel companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria including equipment options and product specifications, customer service reviews, service availability, price, warranty, additional services and financing options. Here are the top six companies with our rating, as well as their warranty options and Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating.
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | WARRANTY OPTIONS | BBB RATING | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.6    | Best Overall | 25-year panel warranty; 10-year comprehensive warranty | NR | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.2  | Best Solar Equipment | 25 years for panels, 12 years for inverters; 10-year workmanship; 5-year roof penetration | A+ | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.0 | Best Local Options | 25-year warranties for solar panels and inverters; 10-year workmanship guarantee; 10-year production guarantee | B | From Participating Partners | |
| 3.9 | Best for Innovative Solar Solutions | 25-year equipment warranty | A+ | From Participating Partners | |
| 3.8 | Best for Financing Options | Available with Sunrun Subscription or Protection Plus plans: 25-year free maintenance and repair promise; lifetime solar performance and battery health guarantee | A+ | From Participating Partners |
Best Overall
Best Overall
Tesla
(coverage varies by zip code)
We recommend Tesla for its widespread availability of installers and its innovation in the solar industry, producing state-of-the-art products like the Powerwall+ battery and solar shingles and roofs. The company’s solar roof is noted for its ability to blend seamlessly into a home’s design.
You’d be hard-pressed not to notice Tesla’s electric cars on the road these days, but the same can be said for the innovative company’s solar panels. Tesla Solar’s coverage area is in all 50 states, offering an impressive line of solar panels at competitive prices; in fact, Tesla Solar will match competitor prices.
Why We Like It
Tesla’s large selection of solar products allows homeowners to customize a system based on their unique energy needs. Custom installations would normally equate to a higher price tag, but that’s not always the case with Tesla, which will match its competitors’ pricing. Aside from panels, homeowners can choose a solar roof, which can replace an existing roof rather than cover it with bulky panels.
What We Don’t Like
Most solar companies offer 25-year warranties, but Tesla only offers a 10-year comprehensive warranty (as of writing). While Tesla’s products do speak for themselves, they come with third-party installers—not the company’s own.
Who It’s Best For
If you want more choices than traditional solar panels, Tesla’s product options are definitely worth a look. Customers will find that the company is transparent in their pricing and will provide competitor price matching if needed.
Learn more: Tesla Solar review
In addition to solar panel and roof installation, Tesla also offers solar batteries. Customers have real-time access to system data through an app. Tesla offers a price match guarantee that meets or beats competitor prices. It also offers financing options, including 0% down for customers who qualify.
Many online reviews rave about the quality of installation and impressive knowledge of the Tesla company reps. However, other reviews with fewer stars seem to indicate that customer service and satisfaction vary by region, as some customers bemoan poor communication from the company and delays in installation.
Best Solar Equipment
Best Solar Equipment
Palmetto Solar
We recommend Palmetto Solar as our pick for the best solar equipment. Since its inception in 2010, Palmetto Solar has grown to be one of the largest solar panel installers in the country. Palmetto offers a wide selection of panels and inverters, so homeowners have affordable options when it comes to designing a solar power system that’s right for their unique energy needs.
Palmetto Solar offers a line of premium solar products from top manufacturers in the industry. Installations come with free basic monitoring through the Palmetto App, though customers can pay a monthly fee for more robust real-time data about their solar panel’s energy production. Those looking for flexible financing options will find it through the company’s PPA leasing program.
Why We Like It
Palmetto Solar employs its own staff, not those from a third party, to design, install and maintain its solar panel installations. The Palmetto App presents a personalized dashboard that allows customers to view their energy usage, as well as pay bills and connect with customer service.
What We Don’t Like
Palmetto Solar currently serves only 19 states (as of this writing). The Palmetto App is helpful in its basic free version, but you’ll need to pay for the upgrade if you want more in-depth monitoring of your home’s energy production and usage. Even with the warranty, solar panel maintenance and repairs start at $350, which is higher than what other competitors charge.
Who It’s Best For
If you live in the service area and want to work with a growing company that offers customized solar solutions, Palmetto Solar is a good choice when making the switch to solar.
Learn more: Palmetto Solar review
Palmetto Solar’s financing options include leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
There are many positive reviews from satisfied Palmetto customers, who cite outstanding customer service and knowledgeable support from company representatives.
Best Local Option
Best Local Option
Boston Solar
Boston Solar has been in business since 2011 and has installed thousands of solar panels for customers in the Bay State. It has a B rating with the BBB though it is not accredited. (Note that BBB accreditation is a process paid for by the company in question.)
Larger companies have certainly racked up more solar installations by default because of their larger service areas. But Massachusetts homeowners can feel comfortable in choosing a local company for solar installation because Boston Solar has done thousands of its own—all right in the Bay State.
Why We Like It
Boston Solar knows the Boston area and beyond. In particular, the company knows the plight of MA homeowners regarding winter weather and pests looking for a warm place to stay, which is why it installs snow and critter guards to protect solar panels.
What We Don’t Like
It’s important to support small businesses, but homeowners might want a nationally recognized company to handle the substantial investment that is solar panel installation. Reports of installation delays and slow communication with the company are a reminder that Boston Solar is a growing company.
Who It’s Best For
It’s a wicked easy decision for Massachusetts homeowners to go with Boston Solar, although to be fair, they’re currently the only ones who can. But that’s definitely a good thing, as the homegrown company knows well the needs of Bay State homeowners in terms of their energy needs, especially when those frigid winter months roll around each year.
Boston Solar offers solar panel installation as well as other products and services like inverters, monitoring and battery storage solutions. In addition to cash purchases, Boston Solar offers leasing options and financing with as little as $0 down.
Many positive reviews tout the professionalism and extensive knowledge of Boston Solar company reps. However, several reviews cite installation issues and a general lack of quality customer service and communication.
Best for Innovative Solar Solutions
Best for Innovative Solar Solutions
Momentum Solar
Since it planted roots in New Jersey in 2009, Momentum Solar has expanded to serve solar customers in 12 states and growing. In addition to solar panel installations, Momentum Solar offers solar battery storage solutions through its partnership with Enphase.
The company is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating.
Momentum Solar is a growing company with industry-leading solar products and solutions. Its burgeoning partnership with Enphase is promising, even if battery storage is not yet available for all Momentum customers. The Enlighten app enables customers to see their home energy usage stats in real-time.
What We Don’t Like
Momentum Solar’s current coverage area only spans 12 states, and its Enphase battery storage partnership is only available in five of them—Massachusetts was not one of them at the time of writing.
Who It’s Best For
Massachusetts homeowners who want high-efficiency panels backed by a hefty warranty should consider Momentum Solar as they make the switch to off-grid energy.
Learn more: Momentum Solar review
Through its partnership with Enphase, Momentum Solar offers additional products and services like microinverters and solar battery storage solutions; however, the latter is not yet available in all states that Momentum Solar serves.
Momentum Solar offers a variety of financing options, including solar loans, leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Many Momentum Solar customers seem happy overall with the support they received before, during and after the solar panel installation process. However, not all reviews are favorable, so customer experience and installation schedules may vary by market.
Best for Financing Options
Best for Financing Options
Sunrun
Sunrun was founded in 2007. It offers comprehensive solar panel products and installation services to customers in 20 states and territories, including Puerto Rico. The company is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating as of the writing of this article.
Sunrun offers excellent warranties, including a 25-year free maintenance and repair promise. Panel performance and battery health are also guaranteed for the lifetime of both products.
Why We Like It
Sunrun allows customers to pay monthly for leases or loans, allowing for more flexibility in financing this sizable investment. There are no additional fees for maintaining leased panels.
What We Don’t Like
Although the company does make our list, poor online reviews indicate that this growing company still has some work to do in terms of customer satisfaction. Currently, Sunrun’s coverage area extends to less than half the country.
Who It’s Best For
Homeowners who want excellent warranties covering their solar investment should look to Sunrun.
Learn more: Sunrun Solar review
In addition to Sunrun’s comprehensive installations, the company also offers a wide range of add-on products and services including inverters and battery storage solutions. To help customers finance their investments, Sunrun also offers several financing options, including solar leases and loans.
The quality of Sunrun’s solar energy panels and solutions has outweighed customer sentiment in the past, and recent positive reviews show improvement in the company’s customer relations. While some customers have expressed frustration with repair and installation delays, recent five-star reviews tout friendly, knowledgeable staff and much smoother sailing through the sales and installation process.
Aside from vetting quality workmanship and installation as you would with national solar installers, there are several other factors to consider when choosing a Massachusetts-based solar company.
While larger companies have customers all over the country, Massachusetts solar companies work with your fellow Bay State residents. While not every home or household’s energy needs are exactly the same, know that if you see happy customer reviews, the Massachusetts-based company understands how to cater to solar energy needs in your area.
Aside from the federal investment tax credit (ITC) for solar panel installations, many states also have additional incentives that can lower the upfront cost when making the switch to solar. Some are at the state level while others are more local at the utility company level, but no one should understand more which solar rebates are available to Massachusetts homeowners rather than a company based in Massachusetts.
No one can appreciate just how cold New England winters are than other New Englanders. The professional installers at the Massachusetts-based company you select live and work in the area, so they know which panels and what size system are best to install for weathering all four seasons in the Bay State.
It’s always helpful to work with local contractors on any type of home improvement project because they know the local building codes in and out. If the solar company you choose is based in Massachusetts, you can rest assured that those professional installers will stay in compliance with all local rules for property improvement.
If you live in Massachusetts’ capital city, for example, you can find even more excellent local solar companies on our best Boston solar companies page.
Whether you’re opting to hire a nationwide solar installer like Tesla or a local company like Boston Solar, there are certain factors Massachusetts homeowners should keep in mind before making their final decision:
Solar panels are not an inexpensive investment, so it’s always better to work with a solar panel company with a solid reputation. While long-standing companies have the upper hand simply because they’ve had more time to establish a reputation, don’t discount newer companies relying on the latest products and installation methods.
Homes that differ in size also differ in their energy needs. Whether you live in a tiny home or in a sprawling estate, you’ll want to work with a company that understands your property and can design an appropriately sized solar panel installation that will meet your household’s energy needs.
If you ever want to add on more panels or purchase battery storage, it’s convenient to work with a company that can handle it all. You’ll certainly enjoy the streamlined approach to maintenance and customer service, plus there might be additional savings to be had when purchasing more robust solar panel installations.
While a generous federal ITC and other state-level incentives lower the upfront costs of solar panel installations, homeowners are still faced with an investment in the low five figures. That’s why you’ll want a solar company that offers some sort of financing through loans or purchase power agreements (PPAs) that make it easier to foot the large upfront costs.
A high-ticket item like solar panels must come with some type of assurance for customers that they can get their systems fixed or maintained by the company that installed them without having to pay a ton of money. As you would with any household appliance, be sure to ask questions about the warranties and guarantees backing the products and installation of your solar panel systems.
Warranties tend to be for decades, not years, in the solar industry but don’t assume that every company will offer a 25-year warranty.
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Data from Save On Energy reports Massachusetts solar panel costs cost an average of $4.06 per watt for residential installations. With the average home system being 5kW, this makes the average cost approximately $20,300.
These upfront costs are lowered by various incentives, including the 30% federal income tax credit. For solar panels installed now through 2032, the cost range decreases to $14,210. There are other local incentives, including net metering, that will further drive down the upfront costs, making the cost of solar panel installation an enticing investment for Massachusetts homeowners.
| SOLAR SYSTEM SIZE | AVERAGE ANNUAL SYSTEM OUTPUT* (KWH) | AVERAGE COST BEFORE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT | AVERAGE COST AFTER FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (30%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6kW | 8,000 – 10,000 | $24,360 | $17,052 |
| 8kW | 10,500 – 13,300 | $32,480 | $22,736 |
| 10kW | 13,300 – 16,700 | $40,600 | $28,420 |
| 12kW | 16,000 – 20,000 | $48,720 | $34,104 |
Massachusetts homeowners can take advantage of various financial incentives at both the federal and state levels to offset the upfront costs of their solar panel installations.
| INCENTIVE | DESCRIPTION | TYPE | OCCURRENCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit | Homeowners will receive 30% tax credit based on the cost of their solar installation | Credit | One time |
| Property Tax Exemption | MA homeowners get a break on property taxes up to 100% of the added value of their solar panels, for the next 20 years | Exemption | 20 years from installation |
| Net Metering | Solar customers can sell “back to the grid” any excess energy their panels make and get a credit on their monthly utility bill | Credit | |
| State-specific incentives | Additional discounts on installation costs, including the Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit, which credits 15% or up to $1,000 off installation costs | Credit | Varies |
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) was increased from 26% to 30% in 2022, through the year 2032. For the next decade, homeowners apply this generous credit to newly installed solar panel installations. Starting in 2033, however, the credit will decrease, so it’s a good idea to cut the cord with electricity sooner rather than later.
Massachusetts homeowners get a break at tax time for the next 20 years after installation with a property tax exemption of 100% of the added value of their solar panel system.
Net metering offers solar customers the opportunity to earn credit on their utility bill by sending excess energy made by their solar panels “back to the grid.” Exact benefits will vary by utility company, which also vary by region in the Bay State, so homeowners should always inquire about net metering specifically for their home before committing to installation.
To encourage more homeowners to break up with electricity for solar power, there are a number of incentives at the state and local level to sweeten the (very expensive) deal:
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Yes, it’s worth it to add your home to the more than 700,000 that have already made the switch to solar in the Bay State. Here are some key reasons:
Financial incentives such as net metering and tax credits can indeed reduce the upfront costs of solar panel installation. But the reason many homeowners make the switch to solar is for the energy cost savings that will eventually come from less reliance on electricity.
The break-even point will take years and will be determined by the size of the system and the energy needs of the household. In general, here is a calculation of the break-even point for a 9.83 kW solar panel system, which is the average system size for Bay State homes.
| CALCULATING THE BREAK-EVEN POINT | |
|---|---|
| Average Cost of 9.83 kW Solar System With Installation | $33,493 |
| Massachusetts Incentives (30%) | $10,048 |
| Estimated System Cost (w/ Incentives) | $23,445 |
| Break Even Period | 6 years |
| 20-Year Savings | 96,659 |
In 2023, Forbes Home conducted a survey to assess solar trends among homeowners, particularly in regard to their satisfaction with their solar panel installations.
The SEIA reports there are approximately 3.3 million homes with solar panel installations as of 2022. According to our survey, nearly 90% of homeowners are satisfied with their installations.
Solar panel installations are expensive, but the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reports that costs are on the downslide; in fact, they’ve decreased more than 70% in the last 10 years. This, along with attractive tax incentives plus the cost efficiency of the solar panels over time, is what drives customer satisfaction in the switch to solar.
Local Solar Companies By City
To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.
All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.
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SunPower, Tesla, Palmetto Solar, Momentum Solar and Sunrun are among the top national solar companies serving customers in Massachusetts. At the regional or state level, homeowners looking to make the switch to solar might consider Boston Solar, which has long enjoyed a stellar reputation for excellent products and customer service based right in the Bay State.
Yes, it’s worth it for homeowners to make the switch to solar in Massachusetts. While the upfront costs can be steep, tax credits at the federal and state levels lower the price significantly. And even though New England winters might not see sunlight as intensely in sunnier states like Arizona and Florida, Massachusetts is still ranked 11th in the nation for solar, with nearly 25% of homes harnessing the sun’s power.
As of this writing, it costs an average of $3.40 per watt to install solar panels in Massachusetts. This works out to be around $20,4000 for a 6 kW system, though the actual price might be lower or higher depending on the company and products installed. These costs, however, do not reflect the federal tax credit or any other state and local incentives.
In addition to the federal tax credit, Massachusetts offers a state solar tax credit of 15% for newly purchased residential solar panel installations, up to a maximum of $1,000.
Barbara has written professionally for more than two decades. In the past five years, she has specialized in creating real estate and home improvement content. Besides writing for Forbes Home, she contributes to Apartment Therapy, Angi, The Spruce and more.
Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of experience in the home space and 10 years of editing experience.
