Eversource and National Grid Solar Net Metering in Massachusetts (2026)

A plain-English look at how net metering generally works for Eversource and National Grid customers in Massachusetts, how SMART fits in, and why it should shape the size of the system on your quote.

If you live in Massachusetts and a rep is selling you on "free electricity from the grid," slow down — net metering is real and valuable here, but it's a billing mechanism with rules, not a blank check. I don't install, so I have no system to sell you. What I do is read homeowners' quotes for free and tell them straight whether the math holds up. And in MA, a quote that misreads how Eversource or National Grid credits your solar is a quote that's sized wrong from the start. Here's the plain-English version of how it generally works, and what to check before you sign.

What net metering actually does

Net metering is the arrangement that lets your meter run "backward" when your panels make more power than your home is using. The extra electricity flows to the grid, and your utility credits you for it. Later — at night, in winter, on cloudy stretches — you pull that power back and the credits offset what you owe. The goal is simple: you get fairly paid for what you send out so you don't have to perfectly match production to usage minute by minute.

In Massachusetts, both Eversource and National Grid operate under the state's net metering framework, which is overseen by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The headline point for most homeowners: the program exists, it's meaningful, and it's a big reason residential solar pencils out here. But the specifics — credit values, caps, and how different customer classes are treated — are set by policy and can change. So treat anything specific you hear from a salesperson as something to verify, not gospel.

How credits generally show up on your bill

The practical experience for a typical residential customer looks like this: in sunny months you may build up a bank of credits, and in lower-production months you draw that bank down. A well-designed system aims to roughly balance over the year rather than dumping huge amounts of excess onto the grid that you can't use.

A few things worth understanding:

  • Net metering credits typically offset the supply portion of your bill, and often a meaningful share of delivery — but not necessarily every fixed charge. You'll likely still see a minimum monthly customer charge.
  • How excess credits carry month to month, and what happens to a long-running surplus, is governed by utility tariff and DPU rules. Confirm the current treatment directly with Eversource or National Grid for your rate class.
  • Eversource and National Grid don't have identical rates or bill formats, so a friend's experience on the other utility isn't a clean comparison.

Where SMART fits in

Net metering isn't the only piece in Massachusetts. The state also runs the SMART program (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target), an incentive that pays a per-kilowatt-hour amount for the solar your system produces over a set term. For many residential buyers, SMART and net metering work alongside each other — net metering handles the bill credits, SMART adds a production-based incentive on top.

SMART has gone through multiple versions, its incentive rates step down over time, and the details depend on your utility territory, system size, and when you enroll. I'm not going to quote you a rate, because the program evolves and I won't hand you a number that's stale by the time you read this. What I will say: if a quote leans heavily on SMART income to make the payback look good, ask the installer to show you the current SMART terms in writing and confirm your eligibility before you count on a dollar of it.

Why this shapes how big your system should be

This is the part reps skip. Net metering and SMART together mean the right system size is the one that fits your actual annual usage and the current credit rules — not the biggest array that fits on your roof.

  • Oversizing can leave you generating more than you can effectively use or get fully credited for, which is wasted spend on panels that don't earn their keep.
  • Undersizing leaves easy savings on the table and may push you to buy expensive grid power you could have offset.
  • A good quote ties system size to twelve months of your real kilowatt-hour usage and explains how the credits are expected to behave — not just a flashy "100% offset" headline.

When I review an MA quote, sizing versus usage is one of the first things I check. If an installer can't show me the usage analysis behind the system size, that's a flag.

What to verify before you sign

  • Confirm your exact utility (Eversource vs. National Grid) and rate class, and ask each for their current net metering terms in writing.
  • Ask the installer to walk you through your projected bill after solar — including remaining fixed charges — not just the savings number.
  • Get the current SMART terms and your eligibility confirmed before treating that income as guaranteed.
  • Make sure the proposed system size is justified by your real annual usage.
  • If a rep still quotes you a 30% federal residential tax credit for a 2026 install, treat it as a sign they're working from outdated information — the federal residential credit changed for 2026, so check current federal rules plus any state and local programs before counting on incentives.

On pricing, briefly

Massachusetts isn't a cheap install market, and net metering plus SMART are part of why the numbers can still work. Installed prices vary widely — you'll see figures in the rough neighborhood of $2.50–$3.50 per watt thrown around, but treat that only as a directional gut-check against your own quote, not a fixed fact. The line items, the dealer fees, and the assumptions baked into the savings projection matter far more than a single per-watt number.

Get a second set of eyes

If you've got a quote in hand for an Eversource or National Grid home, you don't have to decode the net metering and SMART assumptions alone. I'll read it for free and tell you whether the sizing and savings hold up.