National Solar Capacity Ranking: 11th
Data Current Through: Q3 2024
The Massachusetts market is shaped by net metering and a renewable portfolio standard with a solar goal, along with an accompanying SREC market. The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program was established in 2018 and has driven significant solar deployment in the state, acting as a template for other states to follow.
5,399
11th (21st in 2023)
953,089 homes
25.37%
11,674
509 (87 Manufacturers, 194 Installers/Developers, 228 Others)
$12.1 billion
37% over the last 10 years
2154 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 29th)
189,638
Department of Public Utilities – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Massachusetts public utilities
Department of Energy Resources – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
DSIRE incentives database – Massachusetts – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Massachusetts and across the United States
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center – Learn about the state agency dedicated solely to facilitating the development of the clean energy industry
Massachusetts Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
Solar Panel Cost in Massachusetts – Learn about the history of solar policy in Massachusetts, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
Solar Rebates & Incentives in Massachusetts – Check out EnergySage’s list of key solar incentives in Massachusetts to see what programs you can benefit from
State Legislature – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Massachusetts
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Massachusetts State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
Massachusetts Energy Storage Policy and Market Overview
Massachusetts paved the path for energy storage in the Northeast when it first considered the opportunistic storage market in the 2016, State of Charge Report. The report evaluated storage technologies, conspired initial procurement proposals, undertook benefit-cost analysis, and inspired the state Energy Storage Initiative. Robust policy and regulatory guidance, coupled with active participation by municipal and utility actors, is yielding a vibrant storage market.
The first major policy action supporting energy storage procurement was the Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) program. This public-private partnership funded eight BESS projects to navigate ownership models and deployment risks. In 2018, storage goals were reinforced with the establishment of a procurement target set at 1,000 MWh by 2025 (An Act to Advance Clean Energy). A robust state Energy Storage Initiative prioritizing community engagement and equity, and new legislation (S.2967) improving permitting, updating procurement targets, and establishing storage incentives will accelerate the state’s clean energy goals.
In February 2024, Massachusetts reported a capacity of 569 MWh of energy storage. Critical incentive programs like ConnectedSolutions, Clean Peak Standard, and SMART are ensuring storage deployment is cost-effective for residential and C&I customers. R&D funding and net metering are increasing community desire and indicating an untapped potential for energy storage deployment in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Energy Storage Policy Resources