MASSACHUSETTS · AWAITING SIGNATURE

Both chambers passed. Awaiting Governor Healey's signature.

The House passed the balcony solar language 128-27 and the Senate passed it July 1, 2026 as part of the energy bill. It is not law until Governor Healey signs.

Bill
Balcony solar provisions in the 2026 energy bill
Status
Passed both chambers — awaiting Governor Healey
Last action
Passed both chambers · July 1, 2026
July 2026 · Both chambers passed

Both chambers passed. Awaiting Governor Healey's signature.

  • House: passed 128-27.
  • Senate: passed July 1, 2026, as part of the 2026 energy bill.
  • Now: on Governor Healey's desk. Not law until she signs.
If signed · projected

What a kit would save at Massachusetts rates

Massachusetts residential electricity runs about $0.25–$0.28/kWh — third highest in the US after Connecticut and California. That's why the math here is better than almost anywhere else.

395W · IF signed
~$50/yr
800W · IF signed
~$100/yr
1,200W · IF signed
~$150/yr

Every figure above assumes the bill is signed and takes effect as passed. Nothing here is legal in Massachusetts today.

Available now · no bill required

Massachusetts programs you can use today

Mass Save

One of the most established utility efficiency programs in the country. Free home energy assessments, no-cost insulation and air sealing for many households, and rebates on heat pumps and appliances. It's active right now and has nothing to do with the balcony solar bill.

Mass Save heat pump rebates 2026
  • Air-source heat pump: verify current amount at masssave.com
  • Ground-source (geothermal) heat pump: up to $15,000 standard · up to $25,000 for income-qualified households
  • Air-to-water heat pump: up to $16,000

Mass Save is allocating over $3.4 billion over three years for direct customer incentives — one of the most generously funded efficiency programs in the US.

Find Mass Save participating contractors at masssave.com/en/finding-a-contractor — required to access these rebates.

Source: acdirect.com 2026-2027 incentives analysis, November 2025, citing Mass Save three-year plan documentation.

Community solar

Massachusetts has a well-established community solar market. You subscribe to a share of a nearby solar farm and get credits on your bill — no equipment, no landlord conversation, available today.

Browse community solar plans →
Read this before going solar

Massachusetts SMART program

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program pays a per-kWh incentive for 20 years on qualifying solar installations.

Important 2026 update: the solar-only SMART rate has reached $0/kWh in all Massachusetts utility territories for new applicants. A solar-only system generates no additional SMART income beyond bill savings.

However: pairing solar with battery storage unlocks a higher SMART adder rate. Battery-paired systems in Massachusetts can earn meaningful per-kWh payments over 20 years on top of bill savings.

The bottom line for Massachusetts homeowners: if you're going solar, pair it with a battery. The economics are significantly better with storage than without in 2026.

Stacks with SMART

Massachusetts also offers

  • State income tax credit: 15% of solar installation costs, up to a $1,000 credit maximum.
  • Property tax exemption: the solar system's value is excluded from your property tax assessment.
  • Sales tax exemption: no sales tax on solar equipment purchases.
  • Mass Save rebates: additional rebates for qualifying equipment.

Total package for a battery-paired 8kW system: up to $5,500 in combined state incentives, plus 20 years of SMART payments.

Source: SurgePV analysis of Massachusetts solar incentives, May 2026.

What's available now · EV charging

Massachusetts MOR-EV program.

Massachusetts pays its EV rebate at the dealership rather than at tax time.

MOR-EV
Up to $3,500

Rebate for qualifying EV purchases in Massachusetts. Point-of-sale rebate — applied at the dealership.

mass.gov/morev →

The federal 30C EV charger credit expired June 30, 2026.

What the bill would allow

Both chambers of the Massachusetts legislature have passed balcony solar legislation — the House 128-27, and the Senate on July 1, 2026 as part of the 2026 energy bill. It now awaits Governor Healey's signature. Massachusetts residential electricity runs roughly $0.25-$0.28/kWh, the third highest in the country after Connecticut and California, so the savings math here is unusually strong. If signed, an 800W kit would save around $100/year.

  • Wattage cap: up to 1,200W
  • House passed the balcony solar language 128-27
  • Senate passed it July 1, 2026 as part of the broader energy bill
  • No utility interconnection agreement for compliant plug-in kits
  • Renter and HOA protection language still being finalized in the enacted text
Bill has not been signed yet

Balcony solar is not legal in Massachusetts today. Governor Healey has not set a public deadline for acting on the energy bill, and every savings figure on this page assumes the bill is signed and takes effect. Mass Save and community solar are both available in Massachusetts right now and do not depend on this bill. Sol Country will update this page the same day it's signed.

Get notified · Free

Be first when Massachusetts legalizes balcony solar.

One email the moment Balcony solar provisions in the 2026 energy bill is signed — with the effective date, wattage limit, and every kit legal at your address.

State alerts · No spam

Remind me when Massachusetts's law takes effect.

What you CAN do in Massachusetts today

You don't have to wait for the bill to save on your energy bill.

New England Heat Pump Accelerator

Massachusetts participates in the $450 million five-state Heat Pump Accelerator launched February 2026 (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire). This supplements Massachusetts's existing programs rather than replacing them. Ask your installer about Accelerator-funded incentives when requesting quotes.

Source: NuWatt Energy Connecticut guide, August 2026.

1 · No install
Community solar

Subscribe to a nearby solar farm and save 5–15% on your electric bill — no panels on your building.

Browse plans in Massachusetts →
2 · Legal in every state
Portable solar & power stations

Portable panels and battery generators don't require any state legislation. Great for outages, camping, and offsetting specific loads.

See portable kits →
3 · Direct help
Utility bill assistance

LIHEAP, WAP, and state programs can cut your bill by hundreds of dollars this year. Most renters qualify and don't know it.

Check what you qualify for →
While you wait for the law
Renter energy starter kit →

Four low-cost steps that work in every state today — no landlord permission needed.

See what a signed law looks like

These states have already passed plug-in solar laws. Their pages show the wattage cap, effective date, and every kit legal at your address.

See all 50 states in the tracker →Legality checker (any ZIP) →

Frequently asked questions

Is balcony solar legal in Massachusetts right now?
No. Massachusetts's balcony solar bill (Balcony solar provisions in the 2026 energy bill) has not yet been signed into law. Installing a plug-in solar system that requires utility interconnection is not currently allowed under Massachusetts's existing rules.
When could Massachusetts's balcony solar bill pass?
The bill is on the governor's desk. Most governors act within 10–30 days of receiving a bill.
What can I do in Massachusetts today while I wait?
You can join a community solar subscription (no equipment install required), buy portable solar generators (no legislation required), and check whether you qualify for utility bill assistance. Details are in the "What you can do today" section on this page.
Compare across the country

Track where plug-in solar stands across the U.S. - passed, awaiting signature, or advancing through committee.

See all 50 states in the bill tracker →What is balcony solar?Solar access laws explained

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