Residential Solar FAQ

Boston Solar customers can save up to 100% of their utility bill (excluding the utilities standard service charge), depending on monthly energy usage and amount spent.

For residential customers, Boston Solar offers a variety of solar financing options. A Solar Consultant will explain our options and customize a solution that has you cash flow positive in the first year. 

In late 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER) developed Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) to double its solar capacity to over three gigawatts (GW).  SMART has replaced the previous solar incentive program in Massachusetts, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).  SMART provides a monthly payment to homeowners for the energy you produce. You also qualify for a 26% federal tax credit and will receive up to $1,000 state tax credit. If a customer chooses a solar lease or Power Purchase Agreement (commercial customers only) instead of purchasing or financing, they are not eligible for any federal or Massachusetts solar incentives.

For residential customers, the solar panel installation is typically a one or two day process. From the moment you sign a contract, it typically takes between 90 to 120 days to install the system and get it turned on. View our average installation timeline.

When you have a solar system installed, the electric company installs a meter that can "tick backwards" allowing you to "store" the excess energy you produce for use during non-sunlight hours.  This is called NET METERING.  Many solar panel system owners are at work during the day when a solar system typically produces the most energy.  While you may not be using that energy, your utility lets you use it at a later time when you're not producing.  If you produce more energy than you use in a month, you'll see that your total usage is negative.  Utilities determine this by taking the current reading and subtracting the previous reading for a total usage calculation. If you have a negative "balance", this balance can be used to pay the customer charge charged by all utilities.  If not, you will have this charge.

Boston Solar designs all solar systems to offset your electric bill as much as possible.  You can offset up to 100% of your bill.  However, this depends on factors we take into consideration such as roof direction, pitch, shading, etc.