How much does it cost to install solar panels in Massachusetts?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

If you live in the Commonwealth, you may have heard of some of the many benefits and incentives that Massachusetts has for residents who install solar panels on their homes. Massachusetts has some of the highest electrical costs in the nation, behind only Hawaii and Rhode Island in the cost per kilowatt-hour that residents pay. This makes going solar attractive for families looking for ways to save money. The state has a program known as Solarize Mass to help get more solar panels onto homes throughout the state.

Costs for solar panels in Massachusetts range depending on where in the state you are installing them and the type and placement of the panels. The state average cost to install solar panels in Massachusetts is $16,020 to $19,860, with most homeowners paying around $17,940 for a 6 kW system using monocrystalline panels mounted on the roof. This project’s low cost is $5,340 to install a 2 kW system using thin film panels mounted on the roof. The high cost is $60,000 for a 10 kW system using monocrystalline panels with a battery backup installed on a ground-mounted array.

Cost to Install Solar Panels in Massachusetts

Cost of Solar Panels in Massachusetts by Type

Most residents in Massachusetts who install solar panels do so while remaining on the electrical grid. This is known as a grid-tied system and allows you to reduce the amount of electricity you purchase, while still having a backup electricity source in case of storms or snow covering your panels.

While it is uncommon and inadvisable in Massachusetts, you can also install your system off-grid. This means you disconnect from the grid completely, providing your own energy via solar panels.

The climate and weather in Massachusetts makes it difficult to go off-grid using only solar panels. Wind power is a better solution because of the cloudy days and heavy snowfall, so it is recommended in this state if you want to go off-grid. Some people still go off-grid using solar in Massachusetts, but you need a full-sized backup system for those times when the panels cannot produce power.

In general, off-grid systems tend to be more expensive than grid-tied systems because of their size and the size needed in a state with less sun and more inclement weather like Massachusetts. Both have a range of costs, depending on the system size. Below are the average costs of both types based on the average size home in the state.

Solar Panel Cost per Watt in Massachusetts

Solar panel systems are typically sold and installed by the watt, with most solar panels generating between 250 and 400 watts per panel. The average sized home in Massachusetts usually uses around 6,000 watts or 6 kilowatts to power the home due to the lower amounts of sun combined with higher electrical needs.

However, you can install smaller systems while remaining tied to the grid or larger systems for homes with higher-than-average electrical needs. The average cost per watt in Massachusetts is $2.67 to $3.31 installed. Below are the average costs for differently sized systems based on these costs and the number of panels you need to achieve these goals.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Massachusetts per Square Foot

The system size varies depending on several things. One of these may be the home size. While some smaller homes have higher electrical needs and some larger homes have fewer electrical needs, your home’s energy consumption typically increases with size. For this reason, it is common to install larger systems on larger homes.

However, your actual energy usage combined with how much you want to lower your dependency on the grid dictates your ultimate project costs. Homes of any size can have a wide range of systems installed. Below are the average costs associated with installing solar energy on homes in Massachusetts of varying sizes.

Cost of Solar Panels in Massachusetts by Cell Type

Solar panels can be made in several ways and are generally broken into three categories. The first is polycrystalline, which is made of pieces of silicon crystals that are pieced together. These panels are less expensive but not as efficient as other types. They are bright blue and slightly higher in profile than monocrystalline panels, so they are more visible from the ground. This makes them not as common as monocrystalline panels.

Thin film panels are slightly less expensive than monocrystalline panels but much thinner in profile. They work best in areas with less strong sunlight, but are not as efficient as monocrystalline panels.

Monocrystalline panels are the third and most efficient type, as well as the most popular. They are also the most expensive. They have a sleek black appearance and a slightly lower profile than polycrystalline panels. These panels produce the most energy if your home has direct exposure to southern sunlight. Below are the average costs to install a 6 kW system in Massachusetts based on the different panels.

Labor Cost to Install Solar Panels in Massachusetts

The cost of labor to install your solar panels in Massachusetts is roughly 20% of your total project costs. This includes the installation, racking, and balancing of the system. For a 6 kW system, this works out to around $3,204 and $3,972 in labor costs, or between $0.53 and $0.66 per watt.

Several factors can impact the cost of labor and installation, including the system size and type, panel location, and the average cost of labor in your area. If you purchase solar panels in Cambridge, your labor costs are likely to be higher than if you install them in Northampton. Your labor costs can also vary depending on whether you install your panels on your roof or the ground. Roof mounting tends to be easier and less expensive. Below are the average labor costs for differently sized systems in the state.

Which Direction Should Solar Panels Face in Massachusetts?

In general, the best direction for your panels to face in Massachusetts is to the south. This maximizes the amount of light your panels receive throughout the day and gives you the best energy returns.

However, direction is only one thing to consider when mounting your panels. Not all homes in Massachusetts have a roof that faces south, in which case you may want to consider southwest or southeast whenever possible. You may need to consider alternative installations if your home is surrounded by tall trees or buildings that could block the sun, including changing the direction or mounting your panels on an array nearby to capture more light.

Cost to Install Solar Panels in Massachusetts by Location

Most people who install solar panels in Massachusetts place them on the roof of their home. However, some homes may not face the correct direction for the panels to be installed there. Others may have a roof that is in the shade for too much of the day, while some installations may be too large to be installed on the roof, such as systems designed for going off-grid.

In any of these instances, you can also consider installing your solar panels on the ground. This is done by installing the panels on a ground-mounted racking system or pole mount. Ground-mounted arrays are more costly than roof-mounted installations. They take longer to install and you need to run the cables from the array underground to your home, increasing labor costs.

Arrays tend to be used for larger systems than those installed on the roof, but they can be used for smaller systems that cannot be installed on the roof for other reasons. Below are the average costs to install a 6 kW system on the roof and ground.

Massachusetts Solar Tax Credit 2022

Massachusetts has many benefits and incentives for residents who want to install solar panels. These include a sales tax exemption, property tax increase exemption, solar power buyback programs, and a tax credit of up to $1,000 that you can claim when you file your taxes at the end of the year. You are also eligible to file for the Federal tax credit, which is 30% of your installation cost in 2022. For a 6 kW system, this can translate into a tax credit of $4,806 to $5,958 plus the $1,000 you get back from the state.

Solar Inverter Cost by Type

In addition to the solar panels, your system also needs solar inverters to run. Solar inverters convert the energy your solar panels produce into energy your home can use. The number of inverters that you need for the system will vary depending on the type that you choose. String inverters, for example, may only require one, while microinverters will require one inverter per panel.

In Massachusetts, the inverters make up roughly 10% of your total costs for the system. There are several kinds, which have a range of costs.

The most common type and the lowest cost is the string inverter. In this system, several panels are linked together in a string, with multiple strings connecting to one inverter. The downside of this system is that if one panel goes down, the entire string goes down, lowering total output.

Microinverters cost more than the string inverter but solve this problem. Microinverters do not connect up panels; you install one inverter per panel. They are less costly per piece, but you need more of them so the system does cost more.

In addition, you can also use power optimizers with your string inverters. These install one per panel, like microinverters. They help to optimize the power output from the panels. In the event that one panel’s output drops, the power optimizers keep the output up for the others.

If your system uses batteries, you need a battery inverter for each battery. Battery inverters convert the energy from the system into something your batteries can store for later. Below are the average costs per inverter type.

Cost to Run and Maintain Solar Panels in Massachusetts

To ensure your solar panels are reaching their maximum lifespan in Massachusetts and continuing to provide you with clean energy year after year, you have some maintenance costs. Maintenance costs in Massachusetts include monitoring and inspections, small repairs for things like wires, cleaning the system, and installing snow guards. Snow guards are particularly useful in Massachusetts because they can help keep your system running even in a Nor’Easter.

The average cost of inspection and cleaning in Massachusetts is between $200 and $500 per visit, or roughly $400 and $1,000 per year. This helps ensure your system is working properly and includes minor repairs, such as wire replacement.

The installation of snow guards on your panels costs between $1.75 and $3 a linear foot. Snow guards help keep your family and property safe from heavy snow sliding off the panels after a big storm. It is recommended to install them with your panels, but they can be added at any time.

Tesla Solar Roof Cost in Massachusetts

If you have an older roof that needs to be replaced before installing solar panels or you do not love how solar panels look, you may want to consider a Tesla solar roof. Tesla roofs have been available in Massachusetts for the last few years and are recommended for homes that may need a new roof before solar panel installation.

A solar roof is a mixture of photovoltaic roofing tiles and plain roofing tiles. They install seamlessly over the entire roof, so they have a more subtle appearance than solar panels on a standard roof. Tesla solar roofs can be used with their Powerwall batteries as well. This can allow you to lower your dependency on the grid as well. These roofs have a total average system cost of between $40,000 and $70,000 in Massachusetts fully installed.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Solar Water Heater

In addition to installing solar panels to generate electricity for your home, you can also install a solar water heater. Solar water heaters use the sun’s energy to heat the water in your home. They cost between $8,000 and $10,000.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permits. Permits are required for installation of a solar panel system in Massachusetts. The average cost of the permits is 3% of your total costs, which is rolled into the system cost.
• Licenses. Ensure your contractors are licensed to install your solar panels in Massachusetts. Speak to your local municipality for more information.
• Warranties. Your solar panels may have a warranty, depending on the system. Speak to your installer about what warranties may be available for your system.
• HOAs. If you live in an area with an HOA, you may be subject to restrictions. Speak to your local HOA about what options for solar power may be available in your neighborhood.
• Environmental zoning. Some areas of Massachusetts may be zoned as environmentally sensitive. In this case, you may need additional permits or face additional regulations when installing the panels. Speak with your local municipality for more information.