What Massachusetts still offers after the federal credit ended
Every incentive on this page is verified against Massachusetts government sources - and the expired ones salespeople still quote are called out.
The 30% federal solar tax credit ended for installations finished after December 31, 2025 - Everett systems completed in 2026 get $0 from it.
Under Massachusetts's export rules, compensation for surplus power decides the payback - which typically runs 10-14 years on unsubsidized 2026 math.
Installed home solar for Everett homeowners averages about $2.58 a watt across the U.S. marketplace - roughly $30,960 for a 12 kW system before incentives.
Leased and PPA systems deserve extra scrutiny in 2026: the sales pitch often bundles 'tax savings' that now accrue to the leasing company under separate commercial rules - not to you. Get every claimed saving in writing, attributed to a specific law, before signing a 20-25 year contract.
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit - the 30% one every solar ad still quotes - was repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025. Per the IRS, it is not available for any system placed in service after December 31, 2025, and 'placed in service' means the installation completion date, not the contract date.
The 2026 numbers
| System size | Installed price (marketplace avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,480 | Small roof / low usage |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | Typical starter system |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | Family home with AC |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | Large home / EV charging |
| Home battery (optional) | $12,000-$16,000 | Backup power + self-consumption |
Get solar quotes for Everett
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
Massachusetts rules that decide your payback
| Rule | Massachusetts status |
|---|---|
| Export compensation (net metering) | Full-value net metering: a residential solar facility of 25 kW or less is a 'nameplate cap exempt' Class I facility that earns standard net metering credits on 100% of net excess generation valued at the utility's per-kWh basic service, distribution, transmission and transition charges (about 27 cents/kWh in a published Eversource R-1 example), and credits never expire and roll over to the next billing period. |
| State incentive | SMART 3.0 (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, 225 CMR 28.00) - Program Year 2026 opened January 1, 2026 with 600 MW AC of capacity and pays systems 25 kW AC or smaller a flat $0.03/kWh ($0.06/kWh for Low-Income) for a 20-year term; plus the state Residential Energy Credit (Solar and Wind Energy Credit) worth 15% of net expenditure up to $1,000 against personal income tax |
| Sales tax on the system | Exempt |
| Property tax on added home value | Excluded |
Massachusetts caps how much net metering each utility may host, but residential systems of 25 kW or less are 'nameplate cap exempt' and can net meter even when the utility's cap is full - a meaningful advantage over larger systems; separately, solar above 25 kW gets only 'market' net metering credits worth 60% of net excess generation.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
What this means for Everett roofs
Beware of any 2026 payback estimate that looks as good as the 2025 ones: with the federal credit gone, a third of the old subsidy math vanished. If a sales projection has not gotten noticeably worse since 2025, it is hiding something - usually an inflated utility-rate escalation assumption.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
Getting Everett quotes
Marketplace platforms collect bids from multiple MA installers against the same spec, which is the only clean way to compare - same roof, same size, different prices. Getting quotes is free and does not commit you to anything; prices come from the installers, never from this site.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
Common questions
Is solar still worth it without the federal credit?
It depends mostly on your state's export rules and your daytime usage. Paybacks lengthened by roughly a third when the credit ended, but rising electricity rates and record-cheap hardware keep the math workable in states with decent export compensation - and marginal where exports pay avoided cost only.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit was repealed effective for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, per the IRS. Only systems finished by the end of 2025 qualified. State-level incentives are separate and some survive - check the state page in this guide.
Do I need a battery with my solar?
Not necessarily. Under full retail net metering, the grid effectively stores your surplus for free. Batteries earn their $12,000-16,000 price where export rates are low, outages are common, or time-of-use rates make evening self-consumption valuable.
How do I check if a solar quote is fair?
Divide the total price by the system's wattage. The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed; $2.30-3.00 covers most fair quotes depending on roof complexity. Above that, ask exactly what you are paying extra for - in writing.
Is my roof even suitable for solar?
Three things decide it: orientation (south-facing is best in the U.S., east-west workable), shade (trees or taller buildings across midday hours can sink the math), and roof age (if the shingles have under 10 years left, reroof first - removing and reinstalling panels later costs thousands). Any honest installer assesses all three before quoting a number.
Get solar quotes for Everett
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
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