Four Myths About Going Solar in Massachusetts: Busted!
/With electricity prices soaring and great solar incentives currently available in Massachusetts, solar is a sound investment that could save you thousands of dollars over time. That’s why Boston Building Resources went solar in 2008! Unfortunately, there are common myths about solar that may cause you to think you’re not a good fit—but, luckily, we’re here to bust them.
Myth #1: Solar is too expensive
We hear this a lot—and if you want to pay for a solar panel system upfront with cash, it can certainly be quite a lot of money! However, over time, you’ll save significantly with solar, and there are ways to pay for it without breaking the bank, including with a $0-down loan. While your system will cost more overall with a loan (primarily due to interest), you might be able to start saving on day one if your loan amount is less than your current electric bill.
It’s worth noting that the cost of solar has also dropped significantly over time. In 2023, the average cost of a 5 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system is $17,800 in Massachusetts (before incentives). This might seem like a lot, but that size solar system would save you about $55,800 on electric bills over 20 years! These high savings are in large part due to a Massachusetts solar policy called net metering, which allows you to earn credits for excess electricity your system produces and sends to the grid during the day.
Myth #2: You can get free solar panels
You’ve likely heard advertisements for “free solar panels,” but they’re misleading. Typically, anyone claiming you can get free solar panels is referring to a solar lease or a power purchase agreement (PPA). If you finance your system via one of these arrangements, you won’t owe any money upfront for your installation, enrollment, or maintenance. But, you also won’t own your system. You’ll pay your solar company for the electricity your system produces, and while you may still save on your electric bills, your long-term savings will be much lower than if you purchase your system with cash or a solar loan.
With a solar lease or a PPA, you’ll also miss out on key incentives that are only available to the owner of the solar panel system, including:
The federal investment tax credit (ITC): This tax credit reduces the cost of your solar panel system by 30% as long as you have enough federal income tax liability.
Massachusetts residential renewable energy income tax credit: This tax credit reduces the cost of your solar panel system by 15% (up to $1,000) as long as you have enough Massachusetts state income tax liability.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program: Under this incentive, your utility company will pay you a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity produced by your solar panel system for 10 years (as long as it’s under 25 kW in size).
Massachusetts property tax exemptions: If you’re a homeowner in Massachusetts, you’ll qualify for the sales tax and property tax incentives, which provide 100% tax exemption from these tax payments.
Myth #3: Solar panels don’t work in the winter
Massachusetts is known for its bleak winter weather, so if you’ve heard that solar panels don’t work in the winter, you’re probably thinking they’re not a good investment. Luckily, this isn’t true! In fact, solar panels are typically more efficient in cold weather compared to really hot weather.
The days are shorter in the winter, which means you’ll probably generate less power compared to the summer. But, thanks to net metering (the solar policy we discussed above), you can bank credits from the summer when your system is producing more power than you need and use them in the winter—meaning low electric bills throughout the year! During the winter, you will need to make sure your panels are clear of snow, which will prevent them from producing power—but if your panels are on your roof, the snow will slide off as soon as the sun warms them up a little.
Myth #4: You need to own your home to go solar
Did you know that you can go solar without installing a single panel on your property? This is possible through community solar, large solar arrays that produce electricity for multiple properties. Here’s how it works:
You subscribe to a “share” of a local community solar farm located in your utility company’s territory.
Your share of the farm generates clean energy and distributes it to the electricity grid.
Your community solar provider provides you with credits for the electricity generated by your share of the farm (the price you pay for these credits is discounted compared to what you’d pay for electricity from the grid, typically by 5-15%).
Your utility company applies the credits to your monthly electric bill, lowering what you owe—and, you can roll credits over month-to-month, as necessary.
Overall, this means that you’ll save about 5-15% on your electric bills annually (based on the credit discount your specific project provider offers). Some months you may owe more, and some months you’ll owe less, depending on how much electricity you’re consuming and how much electricity your share of the farm is generating.
The bottom line: solar saves money and the planet
When it comes to going solar, don’t believe everything you hear. The best way to ensure you’re getting trustworthy advice is to consult an unbiased energy advisor through the EnergySage Marketplace. When you create a free account, you’ll receive custom quotes from vetted solar installers so you can compare options side by side based on factors such as price, equipment, and more. A dedicated energy advisor can answer questions throughout the process.
Unable to install solar panels at your home? Check out EnergySage’s Community Solar Marketplace to explore and compare projects located in your utility’s territory.
Begin your solar journey now at www.energysage.com/bbr