The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program is the solar incentive here in Mass for residential and commercial solar energy projects that replaced the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) in 2018. The SMART solar incentive program is a 1600MW declining block program for solar projects interconnected with Eversource, National Grid and Unitil in Massachusetts. Read here to learn more about how the MA Smart solar program works!
So, even if you think you’re up to speed on how the Mass solar incentive SMART program works, if you haven’t checked in on the declining blocks of this solar incentive program in a while, things may have changed since our last update in March.
There are still blocks available, but how many are left will depend on where you live. So if you have been considering a solar energy system on your roof or property, and you pay your electricity bill to a division of Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil, here is what you need to know about the SMART program in Massachusetts.
Each area of the SMART solar program incentives allows between 2 and 8 blocks. Each block offers a declining incentive amount, so the longer you wait to sign up for a SMART block the less in monthly solar incentives you can expect to receive.
Are you curious how many SMART blocks are available in your exact location? Boston Solar has separated each Massachusetts city out that it services, according to the electricity provider and how many SMART blocks are still available.
For a quick glance, you can also look and see which blocks are available by utility:
| Small Projects <- 25 kW (Residential) | Blocks Available |
| Eversource MA East | 3 of 8 |
| Eversource MA West | 6 of 8 |
| National Grid (Massachusetts Electric) | 4 of 8 |
| National Grid (Nantucket) | 1 of 2 |
| Unitil | 3 of 4 |
| Large Projects -> 25 kW (Commercial) | Blocks Available |
| Eversource MA East | 3 of 8 |
| Eversource MA West | Waitlist (none currently available) |
| National Grid (Massachusetts Electric) | Waitlist (none currently available) |
| National Grid (Nantucket) | 1 of 2 |
| Unitil | Waitlist (none currently available) |
We regularly use the example of a 9 kW size system that produces 10,000 kWh annually, which could pay out as much as $15,000 in incentives over the next ten years through the first SMART Program block. As those blocks fill up, they decline, so a similarly sized system on SMART block 4 may pay out $12,000.
Even if you have missed out on some of the incentives offered by the SMART program for Massachusetts solar customers, there are still plenty of blocks available, on top of the other available solar incentives you can take advantage of, such as:
Feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to maximizing the savings that your solar PV (photovoltaic) system can offer you and your home? At Boston Solar, we aren’t just here to design and install your custom system of solar panels, only to walk away into the sunset. We will make sure you understand and qualify for any and all available rebates and incentives.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
MORE INFORMATION
