Location, Location, Location!

Everyone can purchase solar electricity, but only certain sites are good locations for solar generation. Most residents being approached by solar vendors have advantageous siting based on satellite views or their work in your neighborhood.  

Don't Underestimate the Value of your Trees

When considering solar, don't forget the trees offer a host of natural services on your property and are also vital to helping us reach our 2050 goals because they are needed to sequester carbon. Consider their age (mature trees offer more benefits at a greater rate, particularly carbon sequestration), species (native trees and some species provide more value to the food web and biodiversity than others), contribution toward lowering your heating and cooling bills (through shade and wind protection), and stormwater management and erosion control on your property (trees drink a lot of water and their roots hold a lot of soil) as well as the value of solar.  We can't replace mature trees or their carbon sequestration services prior to 2050. If you need to cut a lot of trees, or mature trees to make solar work, visit the electricity tab to explore how to buy clean electricity instead and then the rest of these pages to pursue other decarbonization efforts to meet your goals.  If you do decide to cut your trees, consider learning how to repopulate your landscape with native plants. 

Resources to Guide your Solar Project

Once you determine that your site is advantageous for solar, then other decisions follow about the structure of your roof, possible electrical system considerations, your arrangement with the utility and the solar vendor, and your individual plans with regard to your home and your desired payback period.  While there is a lot to think about, there are a number of great guides to help you evaluate your options, identify the best vendor and financial arrangement for your property, and ask all the right questions.  The Department of Energy, Energy Sage, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center , the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources , and the Solar Energy Industries Association all offer great guidance to help you move through the process of completing a solar project. Westford Climate Action, the Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Sustainability Department offered the following workshop in conjunction with Westford residents who have installed solar and agreed to talk about their experiences: Solar 101 Neighbor to Neighbor Event with Westford Climate Action, January 18, 2024.  

Solar Ownership Rebates, Incentives and Return on Investment

In general, a viable residential solar project should break even in 5-7 years and continue providing energy and dollar savings for at least 20 years, making solar a very good investment.  With rebates and incentives covering as much as 45% of the costs of a project, many solar owners have quicker and higher returns. The resources above should help you identify your generation options as well as  provide good information on rebates and incentives that may apply to you.  As of this writing (2023) the Inflation Reduction Act allows for up to a a 30% federal tax credit for solar projects and the Massachusetts offers an additional credit of up to $1,000. Rewiring America  offers this calculator for estimating Federal tax credits. 

Tax Credits and Money Saving Programs

MA Tax Credit (up to $1000) when installed.  Double check annually for clean energy generation credits each year and see programs below.

Federal Tax Credit (up to 30%) of the project when installed.  Double check annually for clean energy generation credits.

SMART  Program - annual savings

Connected Solutions with Mass Save - annual savings for those who also have a battery

Solar Leases

A solar lease is an arrangement where you lease your roof to a vendor for a period of time.  The vendor owns and maintains the solar production. The owner of the solar panels claims the credits and incentives, but gives you a discount on electricity. Be careful to read the fine print about the restrictions on the use and future sale of your property if you choose to investigate a leasing option, and be sure you understand each party's rights and responsibilities with regard to your roof and the installation. Read the guides above for advice on how to identify the best arrangement for you.