Solar Rebates
The MLPs listed in the chart below are currently offering a rebate on Solar Projects, as administered by Energy New England (ENE). If your MLP is not listed below, please contact them directly to inquire about program availability.
If you have specific questions pertaining to your local Municipal Light Plant’s rebates, email us at rebates@ene.org
Getting Started
2. Complete and submit an interconnection application to your MLP. View contact information for each of the MLP’s participating in the Solar Rebate Program as administered by ENE.
3. Once your MLP has approved your interconnection form, complete and submit a Solar Rebate Application using ENE’s rebate portal and monitor your email for application updates and notifications. All communication regarding your rebate application is generated through the rebate portal: requests for additional information, rebate approvals, forms for project completion, and final rebate approval.
4. Once submitted, your rebate application will await sign-off from your MLP affirming approval to install your solar system in accordance with interconnection requirements. Rebate approval occurs after MLP approval via rebate application sign-off. Rebate approvals are issued via a Rebate Reservation notification email. Any project installed without a Rebate Reservation letter is at the project owner’s risk. Applicants can now review the status of their application, if submitted prior to August 30, 2024. All other Solar Rebate Application inquiries can be submitted to: solar@ene.org
5. Install your solar project in accordance with the Town and/or MLP requisite building, electrical and interconnection inspections and approval requirements.
6. To qualify for the MLP Solar Rebate Program, you must install an AlsoEnergy SmartMeter with LocusNOC Monitoring. Please contact AlsoEnergy to order your meter and data package: 866-303-5668 / support@alsoenergy.com
7. Once your MLP issues an Approval to Operate (ATO) or Permission to Operate (PTO), please submit Project Completion documents via email to ENE for review and final rebate approval: solar@ene.org
8. Once approved, either your MLP or ENE will issue your rebate check.
For applications submitted prior to 8/30/2024
Program Guidence
| Participating MLP | Rebate Level | kW DC Maximums | Solar Program Webpage | Interconnection Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) | $0.60/watt DC | 10 kW DC | Braintree Solar Page | Sean Murphy Operations Manager |
| Georgetown Municipal Light Department (GMLD) | $.60/watt DC | 10 kW DC | Georgetown Municipal Light Standards for Interconnecting Distributed Generation | David Schofield General Manager |
| Middleborough Gas & Electric Department (MGED) | $0.60/watt DC | 25 kW DC, residential & commerical. (Commercial projects 26-150 kW DC are administered by MGED.) | MGED Customer Service 508-947-1371 | |
| Norwood Municipal Light Department (NMLD) | $1.20/watt DC | 25 kW DC, residential & commercial | NMLD Distributed Generation Interconnection Policy | Colin Gearty Electrical Engineer |
| Rowley Municipal Light Department (RMLP) | $0.60/watt DC | 10 kW DC ($6,000 rebate) |
RMLP Solar Page | Matt Brown General Manager |
| Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) | $0.60/watt DC | 20 kW DC residential, & commercial | RMLD Solar Page | RMLD Solar RMLD Solar Integrated Resource Specialist 781-942-6458 |
| Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) | $1.20/watt DC | Residential Rebate Cap of $12,000 Commercial Rebate Cap of $15,000 Up to 50% of project cost |
Wellesley Solar Page | WMLP Customer Service: wmlp@wellesleyma.gov 781-235-7600 |
Participating MLPs
Braintree
BELD | Braintree Electric Light Dept.
Rebate Level: $0.60/watt DC
kW DC Maximums: 10 kW DC
Interconnection Contact:
Sean Murphy
Operations Manager
Email
Georgetown
GMLD | Georgetown Municipal Light Dept.
Rebate Level: $0.60/watt DC
kW DC Maximums: 10 kW DC
Middleborough
MGED | Middleborough Gas & Electric Dept.
Rebate Level: $0.60/watt DC
kW DC Maximums: 25 kW DC, residential & commercial. (Commercial projects 26-150 kW DC are administered by MGED.)
Interconnection Contact:
MGED Customer Service
508-947-1371
Norwood
NMLD | Norwood Municipal Light Dept.
kW DC Maximums: 25 kW DC, residential & commercial
Rowley
RMLP | Rowley Municipal Light Plant
kW DC Maximums: 10 kW DC
($6,000 rebate)
Reading
RMLD | Reading Municipal Light Dept.
kW DC Maximums: 20 kW DC residential, & commercial
Interconnection Contact:
Mollie O’Keeffe
Integrated Resources Engineer
Email
Wellesley
WMLP | Wellesley Municipal Light Plant
Rebate Level: $1.20/watt DC
kW DC Maximums:
Residential Rebate Cap of $12,000
Commercial Rebate Cap of $15,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Solar Program Documents
Pre-Installation Forms
Shade Report
Provided by the applicant and uploaded to the Portal
Proof of Ownership
Provided by the applicant and uploaded to the Portal
Installer Contract
Provided by the applicant and uploaded to the Portal
Participant Agreement
Agreement generated by the Portal
Project Completion
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my roof suitable for solar?
How long does it take to install a solar electric system?
What questions should I ask a potential installer?
Buyer beware. Read any contract before signing. Educate yourself about the process. The MassCEC Residential Guide to Solar Electricity is a helpful resource.
How do I select a contractor?
Tips for choosing the right solar contractor:
- Request at least three detailed estimates from licensed contractors.
- Only MA-Licensed Master Electrician can install your system. Installers must be licensed to operate in the state of Massachusetts. Verify that installers are properly licensed by checking the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Registry and eLicensing Portal.
- Make sure your contractor is bonded and insured.
- Read all documentation carefully before you sign. It’s your responsibility to understand the contract between you and your installer. Any project changes should be documented in writing.
- The links below includes directories and contact information for installers that work in the Commonwealth.
How much electricity will my system generate?
Output depends on many factors. A conservative output estimate is 1,100 kilowatt hours of electricity annually for every one kilowatt of system size. The average residential system in Massachusetts is 8 kilowatts and produces about 8,800 kilowatts of electricity each year. Your MLP might have size restrictions on system size in relation to your past electricity usage.
What maintenance does a solar electric system need?
Can I install the system myself?
What are my financing options?
The facility owner must directly purchase or take out a loan for the project in order to qualify for the rebate. Solar leasing and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) projects do not qualify for this program.
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Solar Cost Comparison Tool can help you understand what other homeowners in Massachusetts have paid for similar systems in your area.
How do I complete the application process?
1. Project Owner chooses an Installer & both parties sign an installation contract.
2. On behalf of the Project Owner, the Installer submits an interconnection application to the Municipal Light Plant (MLP) and awaits approval. The Installer can also submit a rebate application. ** An approved Interconnection Application from the MLP is not an approval to install. It’s approval to apply for the MLP Residential Solar Program.**
Solar Rebate Application Link: Solar Rebate Application
3. To complete the Solar Rebate application.
- Complete all fields.
- Submit the following documents:
- Proof of property ownership (deed or current tax bill)
- Installer contract (signed)
- Shade report (see Section 7 in the Program Description for accepted shade tools)
- E-sign the portal-generated Participant’s Agreement to submit application for validation. The installer and project owner must e-sign the document.
4. The MLP will confirm interconnection approval enabling ENE to begin application validation.
5. Await application validation
- Provide additional documents, as requested via email to: solar@ene.org
6. Rebate Reservation/Installation Approval
- The Rebate Reservation letter is approval to install the system.
- The Reservation approval email package includes all Completion Documents:
- Meter Connection form
- Project Completion form
- Project Change form
7. Install system and receive a Permission to Operate letter/ document from the MLP.
- Each MLP has its own approval process and requirements.
8. Submit Completion Documents via email to: solar@ene.org
- MLP’s Permission to Operate
- Project Completion form (issued with the Rebate Reservation email package)
- Meter form (issued with the Rebate Reservation email package)
- Meter picture (front face only; need to show legible meter ID & meter is powered on)
- Invoice or loan document showing at least 200% of the rebate reservation amount have been paid
- Change Request form (if applicable; issued with Rebate Reservation packet)
- Tree removal validation forms (for projects with failing shade values; forms provided if applicable during pre-install phase
9. Await Payment verification.
10. Await Payment.
Should I get an energy audit before installing solar?
Yes. It’s not required but always a great idea. Assessing your home’s energy efficiency and adopting suggested measures is the easiest way to lower electric consumption. ENE offers no-cost Home Energy Assessments on behalf of your MLP. Sign up to get started.