Plug-In Solar in Massachusetts
Both Massachusetts House and Senate energy bills include plug-in solar rules, but negotiators haven't agreed on a final bill, so it isn't law yet.
- No plug-in solar law in Massachusetts yetTwo measures: H 5175, and S 3166, which is the Senate text of H 5175.
- The proposal sets 1,200 W.Plug-in systems have no watt limit.
- The figure is 30.2 cents.The EIA average home price per kWh covered Jan to Aug 2026.
- The figure is $324 a year.Before any utility solar fee, the figure is for an 800 W kit in Boston.
Before connecting in Massachusetts, get your electric utility's approval first. Choose an inverter with anti-islanding listed to UL 1741, or one listed to UL 3700.
What the Bill H 5175 Would Do
If enacted, the Bill takes effect on signing because it carries an emergency preamble. That Bill is H 5175 and S 3166, the Senate text of H 5175.
Size: 1,200 W, plus a simpler tier for up to 391 W.
House text, safety listing: certified by Underwriters Laboratories, or by an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory. It meets the most recent National Electrical Code and offers outage protection features. Senate text: the device must be certified by UL LLC or an equivalent NRTL. Systems up to 391 W are exempt from listing rules that would otherwise require wiring or panel changes.
Approval: Neither version lets the utility require approval before the device is installed or used.
Telling the utility: Senate text: the customer notifies the utility on a DPU form within 30 days of installation. House text: no notice provision appears.
Fees: Both versions bar any fees tied to the device, extra controls, or extra equipment.
Renters and landlords: under Senate text, a tenant is liable for damage only when there is documented gross negligence or intentional misuse. The burden of proof falls on the landlord, and nobody may unreasonably prohibit use.
Under Senate text, covenants or restrictions that unreasonably ban a small portable solar device have no legal effect.
Net metering: devices are exempt from the program requirements under House text. Under Senate text, such systems may not be used for net metering.
- House text: a standard 120-volt outlet is where the device plugs in, and the limit is 1,200 W.
- Senate text: the building code board has 6 months to decide whether plug-in systems need code changes.
Additional Bills
- In 2026, S 3166, the Senate amendment version of H 5175, passed 32 to 8. That vote came on 1 July 2026. The House did not concur, and a conference committee was named on 16 July 2026. Bill page
Today's Rule in Massachusetts
For a grid connection today, any generator must first receive written utility approval through an Interconnection Service Agreement and Authorization to Connect. DPU-regulated interconnection tariffs set the process.
Net metering: Eversource, National Grid and Unitil offer it to their customers. Any technology of 60 kW or less can net meter, within utility caps.
Savings for Massachusetts Kits
In Boston, PVWatts estimates 1,342 kWh yearly for every 1 kW of panels. Meanwhile, households in Massachusetts pay 30.2 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. Placement determines the figures for an 800 W kit:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,073 | $324 |
| Upright on a railing | 676 | $204 |
| Facing east or west | 859 | $259 |
Boston by Month
- Jan74
- Feb79
- Mar104
- Apr100
- May109
- Jun98
- Jul111
- Aug104
- Sep97
- Oct82
- Nov63
- Dec53
kWh produced by an 800 W kit, tilted south.
Kit Prices for Massachusetts
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,583 | $478 | 1.9 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 483 | $146 | 2.8 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,073 | $324 | 3.4 years | $1,099 |
All tilted south and used at home. Compare all kits
Good to Know in Massachusetts
- Some of the US's highest power prices are in Massachusetts, where the 2024 average reached 23.94 cents/kWh. It ranks 5th highest.
- Retail choice is common: energy-only providers sold 33.7 million MWh in 2024, out of 49.4 million MWh in the state.
Are you renting, or on a balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's call, and your electric utility decides the hookup. Read about balcony solar and apartment solar.
Primary Utilities
- Eversource
- National Grid
- Unitil
Next Steps for You in Massachusetts
- In Boston, choose a kit size: a 400 W system produces about 537 kWh a year, while a 1,200 W system produces about 1,610 kWh. Run your estimate
- Keep an eye on H 5175 next session. Should it pass, you may no longer need the approval step.
Sources
- Bill H.5175, 194th
- House text of H.5175
- Senate amendment text for S.3166
- NCLC conference committee letter, Oct 13 2026
- Utility Interconnection in Massachusetts
- Net metering guide | Mass.gov
- EIA Massachusetts Electricity Profile 2024
- From NREL PVWatts, Boston and from EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
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