Top 7 Best Solar Companies in Massachusetts (2024 Reviews)

In this guide to the best solar companies in Massachusetts, you’ll learn:

  • Which solar installers in Massachusetts are the most reliable and affordable?
  • How can you save money when converting to solar in Massachusetts?
  • What are the most important factors to consider when hiring a solar installation company in Massachusetts?
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Massachusetts has some of the highest electricity rates in the country, which makes it an ideal location to switch to solar. The average homeowner in the Bay State who switches to solar and purchases their panels in cash can expect to save an average of $48,909 over the course of their panels’ lifespan. Deciding to convert your home to solar power is usually an easy decision, but choosing a company to perform the installation is considerably more difficult.

This guide provides you with all the information you need to choose the solar installer that best meets your home’s needs. We cover the upfront costs of the equipment and installation, how each company’s efficiency ratings affect the long-term value of your system, and more.

What Are the Best Solar Companies in Massachusetts?

After countless hours of in-depth research and analysis, we arrived at the following list of the seven best solar companies in Massachusetts:

Compare Massachusetts’ Top-Rated Solar Providers

SunPower and ADT are the two best solar installers in Massachusetts, in our expert opinion. The following table provides an overview of how the seven best companies compare to each other in a broad sense.

Solar Providers Superlative Our Score Avg Cost Warranty Financing Options Get Quote
SunPower Best National Provider 5/5 $$$$ 40 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
ADT Solar Best Warranty Coverage 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash or solar loan
Tesla Best Technology 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Trinity Solar Best Regional Provider 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and production; 5 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Momentum Solar Best Customer Service 4.5/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, production and workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Boston Solar Best Local Installer 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment, and production, 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
Great Sky Solar Best Social Impact 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and production Cash, solar loan Get Quote
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SunPower

Best National Provider

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Tesla Energy

Best Technology

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market

Cons

  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Trinity Solar

Solar Veteran

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions

Cons

  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty
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Momentum Solar

Best Regional Coverage

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Representatives are experts on local policies

Cons

  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • Only available in 11 states
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Boston Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

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Pros

  • Excellent reputation
  • Outstanding workmanship
  • Representatives are experts on local policies

Cons

  • Slightly limited service area
  • May not carry popular equipment brands

Watch Below: Learn Which Solar Incentives to Claim in Massachusetts To Maximize Savings

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Massachusettsbest solar installers in massachusetts

There are a few ways to save money when converting to solar in Massachusetts, which most residents will want to take advantage of. The average cost of installing solar equipment in Massachusetts is around $24,180. This assumes the average local cost of $3.72 per watt and the typical system size of 6.5 kilowatts (kW).

The per-watt price in Massachusetts is well above the national average of $3.33, although the all-in cost is a few thousand below the U.S. average. This is due to Bay Staters using below-average amounts of electricity each month and requiring smaller systems than most Americans.

Still, the upfront price of solar in Massachusetts can be prohibitively expensive on its own, in which case we recommend considering the below tips to help bring your all-in costs down and raise your long-term savings:

  • Take advantage of the two tax credits and other incentives available in Massachusetts
  • Choose a high-efficiency panel brand
  • Size your system appropriately
  • Get multiple quotes

Take Advantage of the Available Solar Incentives

In our opinion, the best way to keep the cost of your solar panel system to a minimum is to make sure you take advantage of the many incentives Massachusetts has to offer for PV equipment. We’ll include a quick breakdown of the incentives offered to Bay Staters below, but you can get more information by checking out our guide to solar benefits and incentives in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Solar Incentive Program Overview
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) The federal tax credit provides a credit to your income tax burden for the year your system is installed and commissioned. The credit is for 30% of your system cost, or an average of $7,254 in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit A state tax credit that provides a credit to your income taxes for the year your system is installed. This credit is for up to 15% of your system cost or $1,000, whichever is lower. Most residents will get the maximum of $1,000.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program This program pays you for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you generate with your system for the first ten years. This will could save the average customer up to $1,800 per year, although there is limited space in the program, and the state website mentions that some incentives will be $0 per year due to the demand.
Massachusetts Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Offers a low-cost, low-APR financing solution for low-income households looking to convert to solar.
Massachusetts Sales Tax Exemption for Solar Equipment The 6.25% state sales tax is waived on all solar equipment in MA, including panels, inverters, batteries, EV chargers and more. This can bring down your upfront costs by an average of over $1,511 in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Property Tax Exemption for Solar Equipment Massachusetts doesn’t include the value of your PV equipment when evaluating your property taxes. As a result, your taxes won’t increase just because you go solar.
Net Metering Net metering credits you for all excess energy you produce with your panels and return to the electric grid. Those credits can offset any energy you pull from the grid, which is extraordinarily helpful in Massachusetts, where the energy rates are so high.
Local Incentives Several utility companies in Massachusetts offer rebates for solar conversion. These include Hudson Light & Power, Concord Municipal Light Plant, Taunton Municipal Light Plant, Reading Municipal Light Department, Holyoke Gas & Electric and Chicopee Electric Light.

Choose a High-Efficiency Panel Brand

Next, we recommend you opt for a high-efficiency solar panel brand when converting to solar energy in Massachusetts. The state receives around the average number of sunny days per year — 197 as opposed to 205 in the rest of the country — but maximizing energy production is essential for minimizing your energy bills.

Massachusetts residents pay an average of 27.46 cents per kWh, which is nearly double the national average of 16.79 cents.3 Despite residents using far less energy than average, they still see the fourth-highest monthly energy bills in the nation as a result of the per-kWh cost — an average of $165.31 per month.

Opting for a high-efficiency panel like SunPower, Panasonic or Tesla will likely drive up your initial costs. However, these options will more swiftly pay for themselves over time, as they will provide more energy for the space, boosting your long-term energy savings.

Size Your System Appropriately

The size of your rooftop solar system should be based on your monthly energy consumption, your home size, how much sunlight your roof gets and more. Unfortunately, undersizing your system can lead to paying for a solar system and an expensive utility bill, and oversizing it means you’ll unnecessarily pay for more expensive equipment with no upside.

We recommend choosing one of the reliable and experienced installers we’ve mentioned above. These companies all have technicians who understand the needs of Massachusetts property owners and can ensure your photovoltaic system is sized accordingly.

Get Multiple Solar Quotes

Finally, we recommend getting a few quotes from different companies to save money on your system.

Massachusetts is home to over 195 solar providers, all of which charge different prices for labor, carry different equipment and offer varying levels of help in taking advantage of local incentive programs. These seemingly small differences can lead to paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars less for your system.

As such, we suggest you get a few quotes and compare them based on the overall cost and the quality of the equipment and service you get for the price.

For more information about how to estimate the cost of your solar equipment and how to save throughout the installation process, you can use our solar calculator.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Massachusetts?

Yes, installing solar panels on your home is expected to make it more valuable in Massachusetts.

While there are a few things to consider when estimating the value added, research conducted by Zillow suggests that homes with panels are around 4.1% more valuable.4 In MA, where the average property value is approximately $585,959, that’s a bump of about $24,024.5

One thing to consider is that some property owners inevitably won’t like the appearance of solar panels, especially on the front of the home. As solar is becoming more widely popular in Massachusetts — with more installations occurring in 2024 than any of the previous five years — that stigma is expected to change, which means solar may boost value even more going forward.

Another thing to consider is that solar is more popular — and more valuable — in high-density areas, which often have above-average energy rates as well. It’s reasonable to expect a higher value increase in more populated cities like Boston, Marlborough and North Andover.

Should Massachusetts Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

In most cases, we strongly recommend hiring a professional rather than trying to save money with a DIY solar installation. Although DIY installation is more affordable, there are a few reasons we recommend against it. We’ll discuss these briefly below.

Panel Efficiency

First off, DIY panels usually have a lower efficiency rating than professionally-installed panels. In an area like Massachusetts, where electricity rates are abnormally high, getting every drop of efficiency out of your panels is crucial for saving money over time.

While DIY panels might be more affordable upfront, the lower efficiency will very likely diminish your long-term energy savings and could end up being more expensive overall.

Warranty Coverage

Secondly, DIY panels often have far less attractive warranty coverage, and you get no coverage for the labor since you’ll be doing the work yourself.

Professional installers can offer up to 30 years of coverage for physical damage, energy production and labor. DIY panels often have up to 10 years for physical damage and efficiency and offer no labor coverage.

Massachusetts is prone to hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters that can put your panels at risk of damage and your roof at risk of leaking.6 As such, robust warranty coverage can end up saving you the cost of replacing or repairing your system or your home and end up being more affordable over time.

Installations Require Permits

Finally, all municipalities in MA require building permits for solar system installations. Not only can the permitting process be challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar, but you can also run into issues with your own installation that could cause delays in your project. In some cases, you may need to hire a professional after all to get the installation up to code.

In either case, going through the permitting process yourself can be time-consuming and expensive. We recommend saving yourself the headache and paying a premium to have an experienced professional do the work and the permitting for you.

What Should Massachusetts Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

Choosing a single installer out of the 150+ that serve Massachusetts is difficult, but there are a few factors we recommend you prioritize. Narrowing your search based on the below things will help you choose an installer that will provide a positive experience and maximize your savings:

  • Solar panel pricing
  • Warranty coverage
  • Local experience
  • Reputation and customer reviews

Solar Panel Pricing

One of the first things we recommend you look at is the average cost per watt of a company’s equipment and what you get for that price. This is important everywhere but especially in Massachusetts, where the cost per watt is the third-highest in the country.

In addition to the cost of the equipment, we suggest you consider the quality of the panels and the service. Paying more for one of the best solar products is often a good financial decision in the long run.

Warranty Coverage

massachusetts top solar companies

Next, we suggest you consider warranty coverage — and read the fine print. Solar warranties cover some combination of the following:

  • Physical damage to your panels
  • The efficiency of the equipment
  • The labor charges included in the installation cost

All of these are important, but we suggest you prioritize efficiency and labor. High-efficiency panels are more likely to save you on energy bills over time. Workmanship warranties will also help reduce the risk of roof leaks and other issues, an important thing to consider in MA, where the average rainfall is around 1.5x the national average.7

Local Experience

With the demand for solar conversion growing in Massachusetts, more and more companies are popping up to turn a profit. While this indicates a strong local solar market, it also puts unwitting customers at risk of below-average customer service and voided warranties from newer companies that don’t last.

We suggest you choose a company that has been serving the Bay State for at least five years. This gives you a better chance of the installer sticking around but also helps you choose one that understands local needs and can size your system appropriately.

Reputation and Customer Reviews

Finally, we suggest you look at the company’s overall reputation and read through some online reviews. Getting a sense of the quality of service and communication you can expect from an installer can help you weed out companies that are less likely to provide a positive experience.

Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to over 190 solar installers, meaning the competition is fierce. To find the best of the best to recommend to homeowners like you, we ranked each company based on six main factors that we believe are the most crucial for ensuring you get the best system and best service available. We’ll explain our ranking system below.

  • Local reputation and reviews (20%): With such a high demand for solar equipment in Massachusetts, there’s a ton of competition. Unfortunately, that means a lot of companies pop up to take advantage and turn a profit and, in doing so, neglect to provide high-quality service and systems. We read through dozens of customer reviews for every company we research to see where each one shines and where it could improve. This ensures that we only provide high-quality installers that are likely to meet and exceed your expectations.
  • Pricing and financing (20%): As mentioned above, the per-watt cost of PV equipment in Massachusetts is significantly higher than the national average. In fact, it’s the third-most expensive state for solar equipment on a per-watt basis. Companies that maintain average or below-average pricing make going solar more affordable, which is important in a high-cost area like Massachusetts. Along with high installation prices comes less accessibility. We prioritize companies that accept a variety of payment options, as this helps make the company a realistic option for more homeowners throughout the state.
  • Services offered (20%): While solar batteries aren’t terribly popular in Massachusetts due to the great net metering program in the state, lots of solar customers choose to couple their panels with other add-on products. EV chargers are especially popular, as are energy efficiency home improvements, given the high cost of energy in the Bay State.
  • Warranty coverage (20%): Massachusetts residents see their fair share of extreme weather, and they experience around 1.5x the national average amount of rainfall. Severe weather and frequent exposure to moisture put rooftop solar panels at an elevated risk of damage. We prefer companies that offer robust workmanship warranties to provide some peace of mind, given these conditions. Efficiency and equipment warranties are also helpful for protecting the high-cost systems in the area.
  • Company experience (10%): In areas like Massachusetts, which have a lot of competition in the solar industry, we shy away from younger companies that don’t have the same experience as those with some longevity. Not only are they less likely to understand the specific needs of residents in the area, but they’re also more likely to go out of business. Importantly, a company’s workmanship warranty only lasts for as long as the company is in business.
  • Brand quality (10%): Finally, we consider the solar equipment brands offered by each provider. We love when companies install high-quality, high-efficiency panels, but we also prioritize companies that include a selection of brands, ranging from inexpensive to highly efficient. This helps keep options open for customers with different needs.

Read More About Going Solar in Massachusetts

 

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.

FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Massachusetts

Given the popularity of solar in Massachusetts, we get lots of questions about how to choose an installer in the area. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we see from residents in your area.

Blog author image
Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Karsten is an editor and energy specialist focused on environmental, social and cultural development. His work has been shared by sources including NPR, the World Economic Forum, Marketwatch and the SEIA, and he is certified in ESG with the CFA Institute. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the solar energy sector, studying energy policy, climate tech and environmental education. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.

Comparing authorized solar partners

EcoWatch rating
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
  • 5.0
    • Most efficient panels on the market
    • National coverage
    • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
    • Great warranty coverage
    • Expensive
    • Customer service varies by local dealer
    A+
    Best National Provider
    1985
    SunPower
    25-year all-inclusive warranty

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