There are a LOT of options when it comes to choosing a solar PV system. EnergySage has solar expertise and a support system for all of your questions. They provide an online solar marketplace that will help you decide whether owning or leasing a solar PV system will work best. You also will be able to directly compare quotes from pre-screened installers. See how it works in their Solar Power Explained video.

Another great resource is the Clean Energy Lives Here website from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: https://goclean.masscec.com/clean-energy-solutions/solar-electricity/

The first decision point is about money:

1. Do you want to buy your own solar panels? The advantage is that you will see the best financial return. The disadvantage is that you have to invest the money. 

2. Many solar companies will install solar panels on your roof at no cost to you. You will sign a long-term contract agreeing to purchase electricity generated by those panels at a specific price. Something to be aware of is what happens at the end of your contract period. Check out your options on the EnergySage marketplace to do some online comparisons.

HOW PV WORKS 

Solar PV has proven over the years to safely generate electricity. When you go solar, your system is always connected to the local electric grid, so you will always have electricity. When the sun is shining, your system is generating electricity and running your home. At night when the sun goes down you receive your electricity from the grid. The way this is done is through NET METTERING. Your utility company will remove your old electric meter and replace it with a device called a net meter. This meter does not change the way electricity is delivered to your house, or your relationship with your utility provider. Its only function is to run forwards and backwards.

1. If you generate less electricity than you use over the monthly billing period, your meter will move forwards and Eversource will only charge your account in the amount of electricity you needed.

2. If you generate more electricity than you use, your meter is running in reverse, Eversource will credit your monthly bill - this is not a financial credit, but rather a credit in the amount of electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Like roll-over minutes.

3. See more details on how Eversource net metering works on Energy Sage. (Note: House-mounted solar PV is usually <10 KW, or “Class I,” in size.)

Q: What are the current Federal and State Incentives? 

A: The Inflation Reduction Act reinstated a 30% federal tax credit for homeowners and condo owners installing solar (both equipment and installation costs qualify). This is retroactive back to Jan. 1, 2022 and will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2032. The solar 30% tax credit can be paired with a 30% tax credit for battery storage and/or a 30% tax credit for an electric panel upgrade (capped at $600). See how much you would qualify for using this savings calculator from Rewiring America. If you can’t take all of the tax credit in the first year, you can carry it over to the next year.

And, lucky you! You live in Massachusetts where you also could receive a Massachusetts tax credit for the lesser of $1,000 or 15% of qualifying costs. In addition to the income tax credit, MA also ensures 100% tax exemption from both sales and property tax payments.

BONUS: if you own your own panels (even those with financing), you can register for monthly incentives from the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program (SMART). Credits over your own usage may be donated to low income households.

Q: How do I know if my home is good for solar?

A: You can view your roof on Google Maps. South-facing roofs with little shade are best, but east- and west-facing roofs work well too as long as there is little shade. Ideal roofs have long expanses of open areas, but panels can be placed on smaller areas as well. Any installer you contact should be able to tell you on the phone if your roof is a good candidate.

Q: What is the process of going solar?

A: Generally, a solar installer will ask for a copy of your electric bill. They use this information to prepare a customized proposal, showing the layout and financial estimate based on your electrical needs and your roof space. Once you have approved the design and signed off on the financials, the solar installer will handle the installation, checking roof structural support, doing an engineering report, pulling permits, obtaining equipment and scheduling the work. It may be a month or two until installation. Actual installation usually takes 2 days – electrical work and roof racking on day 1 and panel installation on day 2. After building and electrical inspections, your electric company will install a new meter and give you approval to power up your system called PTO.

Q: Do I have to maintain my solar system?

A: Generally, the panels will sit up on the roof out of sight and out of mind, powering your home, even on cloudy days. There are no maintenance contracts to buy, and New England weather will keep the panels pretty clean.

Q: What happens when it snows?

A: Snow will pile up on solar panels, but the sun’s energy soon melts the bottom layer next to the panels and the snow will come sliding down quickly. Snow guards are available to protect people and plants under the panels.

Q: What about critters?

A: If you frequently see squirrels on your roof, you can add critter guards to prevent them from damaging your system wiring.

Q: How big should my solar system be?

A: Since selling excess electricity isn't that straightforward (yet!), it makes sense to have a system that is properly “sized” just to cover your electric bill. However, you may decide to install a bigger solar system with future added electricity use in mind, like an electric car, or air-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.

Q: How do I get paid for the electricity my system sends to the electric grid?

A: On the days that your system makes more electricity than you consume, your net meter will run backward. This is called net-metering. When you underproduce and need more power, your meter runs forwards. Eversource will only charge you for the extra amount of kWh (kilowatt-hours) you used, and only give you credits for the extra electricity in the form of KWH.  When your system has overproduced, Eversource will store your extra KWH in reserve. You can apply those credits to less productive times, like, winter months, or when your panels are not producing as much. If, at the end of a full year, you still have a credit, you can give the extra credits  to a friend, relative, or donate them to your favorite charity by way called "Schedule Z". here.

Q: What happens when the grid is down?

A: If you're looking to keep powering your home when the grid is down, you'll have to add a backup battery system, which is an expensive option. Otherwise, if there is a power outage, your electricity generation will be disabled.

For further reading: Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics.