Frequently Asked Questions
1. I want to go solar, how do I get started?
In order to qualify for a rebate through Commonwealth Solar, you will need to contact an installer who will offer you a turn-key service for your solar PV installation, complete your Rebate Application, and provide service until the project is complete to ensure you receive your rebate.
Before you contact an installer, however, you should take some time to find out if you are eligible, your home is suitable, learn more about solar PV, and find out what kind of rebate and other incentives you qualify for. Each step is outlined here.
2. How does solar electricity work? Can I use it to heat my home?
A solar PV panel system connects directly into the grid. This means that you draw electricity for your household appliances directly from your panels and any additional electricity you need you will pull from your electricity provider (i.e. National Grid, NSTAR, etc.) Home heating can be energy intensive and most residents of Massachusetts heat using oil, natural gas, or some other technology. To find ways to improve the efficiency of your home heating system, contact MassSave at www.MassSave.com.
For additional information on solar technologies visit The US Department of Energy.
3. How much does a solar PV system cost?
Historically, solar PV systems have been expensive; however the use of rebates and state and federal tax incentives can significantly offset the cost of a system. Also, as the market grows more competitive, we have seen the average cost of PV systems decrease and the more popular the technology becomes, the less expensive it will be.
The state average for a solar PV system to install is around $8,000-$9,000 per kW. This means that if the average residential system is 4 kW, it will cost approximately $34,000 to install. The rebate and tax incentives can significantly reduce this cost by as much as 60%, so that your out- of-pocket expense for an average system could be less than $13,000.
To estimate the cost of your system and the rebate you qualify for, use our Rebate Calculators.
4. How much is the Rebate?
There are two different rebates, one for Residential customers and one for Commercial customers.
To estimate your Residential rebate click here.
To estimate your Commercial rebate click here.
Residential customers qualify for a Base rebate of $1.00/watt.
In addition, you can increase your rebate up to $4.40/watt in the following ways:
Rebate Adders:
Massachusetts Components = $0.15/watt
If your installer uses PV modules or an Inverter manufactured by a Massachusetts company, you will qualify for this rebate Adder.
Moderate Home Value = $2.00/watt
If the assessed value of your home falls within these ranges, you will qualify for this rebate Adder.
County |
Assessed Home Value |
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire |
Less than or equal to $300,000 |
Bristol, Suffolk, and Worcester |
Less than or equal to $350,000 |
Barnstable, Duke, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Plymouth |
Less than or equal to $400,000 |
Moderate Income = $1.25/watt
If you are the only member of your household and your income is less than $75,810 you will qualify for this Adder.
OR
If you live with others and the combined income of everyone in the house over the age of 18 is less than $95,420 you will qualify for this Adder.
Commercial Customers’ base rebate depends on the size of the system:
Incremental System Size |
First: 1 to 25 kW |
Next: >25 to 100 kW |
Next: >100 kW to 200 kW |
Next: >200 kW to 500 kW |
Base Incentive |
$2.65 |
$2.25 |
$1.50 |
$0.50 |
The base rebate is incremental, so for example, if you are installing a 150 kW system the rebate would be:
(25kW x $2.65/W) + (75kW x $2.25/W) + (50kW x $1.50/w) = $310,000
In addition commercial customers can increase their rebate with the following Adders:
Rebate Adders:
Massachusetts Components = $0.15/watt
If your installer uses PV modules or an Inverter manufactured by a Massachusetts company, you will qualify for this rebate Adder.
Public Buildings or Affordable Housing = $1.00/watt
If your building is a facility that is publicly-owned and occupied by an instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including municipalities, excluding federal buildings, then you would qualify for this rebate Adder. If your building is deemed "affordable" under the definition established by the Department of Housing and Community Development, you may qualify for this adder.
5. Are there other State and/or Federal incentives available?
For information on state and federal tax incentives, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org or contact your tax professional.
6. What about Solar Hot Water (Solar Thermal?)
Currently, the Renewable Energy Trust does not have funding programs available for solar thermal projects.
As part of the new energy legislation, the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (MRET) was given the authority to support solar thermal projects; but the development of an incentive program for solar thermal, and other renewable thermal technologies, will depend upon priorities that remain to be determined.
7. Is my home/business suitable for solar?
To find out more about solar power for your home or business, we recommend reading the Solar Electricity Buyer’s Guide for Residents or the Guide to Solar Electricity for Massachusetts Businesses.
8. Will I still get an electricity bill? What is net-metering?
Solar PV systems can provide you some or all of your electricity depending on the size of the system and how much electricity you use. Also, solar panels only provide electricity when they receive sunlight, so at certain parts of the day they provide more electricity than others, just as they provide more electricity during different times of the year.
Similarly, you use more electricity during certain parts of the day than others. This is where net-metering comes in. Net metering means that the electrical utility is required by law to credit a PV system for the excess electricity that the PV system generates. Net-metering means that if your panels provide more electricity than you are using, you will get credit toward your electricity bill, just as, if you use more electricity than your panels provide, you will receive a bill for the additional electricity you used.
For more information on net-metering click here.
9. How long does the process take?
For residential customers, the actual system install can take a few days to a few weeks. Commercial projects can take longer, especially if they are new construction or very large projects. Also, the design, engineering, permitting, acquiring equipment, and applying for a Commonwealth Solar rebate can take up most of the preparation time and installations can therefore take 3 or more months to complete.
Commonwealth Solar will approve complete applications within 3-5 weeks and once we receive completed documentation that the project is complete, we will send payment within 60 days.
10. What other methods can I use to go green?
The easiest, most cost effective way to green your home is to make it more energy efficient.
Making energy efficient improvements to your home not only saves you money, it increases your benefit if you want to install a solar PV system.
For 101 Tips on Saving Energy – click here.
For information on rebates and incentives for energy efficiency improvements for your home, contact MassSave at 866-527-7283 or www.MassSave.com.