Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Solar Policy Resources

• 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

• Massachusetts Energy Storage Initiative –State energy storage progress, programs goals, targets, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
• Mass Save Connected Solutions –State performance rebates for battery energy storage systems.
• Clean Peak Energy Standard –Massachusetts’ RPS-style clean energy crediting system incentivizing demand response technologies, load reduction, and grid resilience.
• Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) – Long-term solar incentive program, and energy storage adder aiding the development of DERs in Massachusetts.
• NetZero – Battery energy storage system incentives and rebates through Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC).
• The Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) Program – Joint battery storage demonstration program by Mass DOER and Mass Clean Energy Center.
• MassCES Funding Opportunities – Funding opportunities, loans, tax credits, and consulting services in Massachusetts.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratories Energy Storage Policy Database – Map of Procurement, Regulatory, Demonstration, Incentive, and Interconnection policies in Massachusetts and across the United States.
• DSIRE Massachusetts Energy Storage Policy Database – Clearinghouse for financial incentives, regulations, and rebates for energy storage and lithium-ion technologies in Massachusetts and across the United States.
• Massachusetts Energy Storage Rebates & Incentives – EnergySage’s list of key storage incentives and rebates and see what programs you can benefit from.
• Energy Storage Cost in Massachusetts – Up-to-date storage and solar-plus-storage pricing and find installers in Massachusetts on EnergySage.
• Massachusetts State Legislature – Pending, passed, and historical legislation affecting energy storage and battery systems, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Massachusetts public utilities, search for regulatory dockets, programs, and initiatives.