What homeowners should know
- National Grid's Massachusetts solar bill materials show net-metering credits for eligible excess generation.
- The published net-metering credit framework includes applicable distribution, transmission, transition and Basic Service components, subject to the current tariff and customer configuration.
- An interconnection agreement is required before a new residential solar system can operate in parallel with the grid.
- Massachusetts also has program-specific structures such as SMART and market net metering, so a proposal should identify the exact billing and incentive pathway it assumes.
Important: Utility tariffs change. Confirm the current rate schedule, interconnection agreement and export-compensation rules for your exact account before signing a solar proposal.
Massachusetts electricity and solar context
The state electricity-rate figure is a statewide EIA benchmark, not the utility tariff on your bill. Utility plans can differ because of time-of-use periods, tiers, fixed charges, riders, supply choice and solar-export treatment.
Utility & Incentives by ZIP
Find nearby residential utility plans, distributed-generation rules and active solar incentives before we model the tariff in the savings engine.
Official National Grid Massachusetts solar sources
Home Solar Atlas summarizes homeowner-facing rules but treats the utility's current tariff and interconnection documents as the controlling source.
Before you compare installer quotes
- Use 12 months of actual electricity consumption rather than only your average bill.
- Ask the installer which utility rate plan and export-compensation schedule the savings model assumes.
- Separate self-consumed solar value from exported-energy value if the utility uses net billing.
- For time-of-use tariffs, compare when the home imports energy with when solar exports occur.
- Model battery economics separately instead of assuming every exported solar kWh has retail value.
Last source review: 2026-08-28. Home Solar Atlas is not affiliated with Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company d/b/a National Grid. Utility-specific pages are informational and do not determine account eligibility.