Massachusetts: balcony solar is not legal yet — here's exactly where the bill stands.
A plug-in solar bill is actively moving through the Massachusetts legislature.
- Bill
- H 5175 / S 3143
- Status
- IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
- Last action
- Current stage: Other chamber (4/5)
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.
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.
Massachusetts programs you can use today
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.
- 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.
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 →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.
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.
Massachusetts MOR-EV program.
Massachusetts pays its EV rebate at the dealership rather than at tax time.
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 passed different versions of the plug-in solar bill (H 5175 / S 3143). A conference committee is now reconciling the two versions. A final bill is expected to go to the governor once the committee agrees on unified language.
- Wattage cap: to be set in final bill — peer-state bills range from 800W to 1,200W.
- No utility interconnection agreement for compliant plug-in kits.
- Renter and HOA protections — the exact language is still being finalized.
Be first when Massachusetts legalizes balcony solar.
One email the moment H 5175 / S 3143 is signed — with the effective date, wattage limit, and every kit legal at your address.
State alerts · No spam
Alert me the moment Massachusetts legalizes balcony solar.
What you CAN do in Massachusetts today
You don't have to wait for the bill to save on your energy bill.
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.
Subscribe to a nearby solar farm and save 5–15% on your electric bill — no panels on your building.
Portable panels and battery generators don't require any state legislation. Great for outages, camping, and offsetting specific loads.
LIHEAP, WAP, and state programs can cut your bill by hundreds of dollars this year. Most renters qualify and don't know it.
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is balcony solar legal in Massachusetts right now?
- No. Massachusetts's balcony solar bill (H 5175 / S 3143) 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?
- It depends on the legislative calendar. Bills that clear committee typically face a full-chamber vote within the same session — but many pending bills also carry over or die when the session ends.
- 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.
Get matched with a Massachusetts installer
Balcony solar laws in other states
Track where plug-in solar stands across the U.S. - passed, awaiting signature, or advancing through committee.
- District of Columbia balcony solar billBill in progress · Active legislation
- Delaware balcony solar billBill in progress · Active legislation
- Hawaii balcony solar billBill in progress · SB2940 + SB2902
- Illinois balcony solar billBill in progress · Active in Senate
- Michigan balcony solar billBill in progress · Active legislation
- Minnesota balcony solar billBill in progress · Active in Legislature
- Missouri balcony solar billBill in progress · Active legislation
- North Carolina balcony solar billBill in progress · Active legislation