Waltham, MA Solar: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Waltham
If you live in Waltham, MA, you’ve likely watched your electricity bills climb. Massachusetts electricity prices have increased 34% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners searching for ways to take control of their energy costs.
Solar installation is one reason Massachusetts ranks 6th in the nation for residential solar. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what solar means for your Waltham home. To learn the basics, explore our overview of home solar panels.
MASSACHUSETTS by the Numbers
6th Most residential solar in the United States
159 Households have installed solar panels
4.6 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$125k Waltham average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Waltham, MA?
See real solar installation costs for Waltham, MA—built from our firsthand installation data across the area, including nearby Waverley, Newton, Belmont, and Watertown. This calculator gives you a clear, local estimate based on actual homes like yours, so you can understand your options with confidence.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| System Cost | $25,981 |
| Price per Watt | $2.88 |
| State Incentives | -$1,000 |
| Final Cost | $24,981 |
| Monthly Savings | $285 |
| Payback Period | 6.6 years |
| 25-Year Savings | $124,805 |
Key Takeaways
- Waltham electricity prices are nearly double the national average, with local rates climbing 28% in recent years, making solar a smart way to protect against rising costs.
- Massachusetts offers strong solar incentives like SMART 3.0 payments, full-retail net metering, and state tax credits that help lower the cost of going solar.
- The average Waltham home saves about $125,000 over 25 years, and leasing through LightReach lets you go solar with no upfront investment.
Massachusetts Solar Incentives
Waltham homeowners can tap into several solar incentives in Massachusetts that help lower the upfront and long-term cost of going solar.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit | Tax Credit | 15% of your solar installation cost, capped at $1,000. | Learn More |
| Massachusetts Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Fully exempt from the state’s 6.25% sales tax. | Learn More |
| Massachusetts Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Excluded from property tax assessments for 20 years under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5. | Learn More |
| Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target 3.0 (SMART 3.0) | Production Incentive | Guaranteed fixed rate per kWh for 10 years, with bonus adders for battery storage and low-income households. | Learn More |
| Massachusetts Net Metering | Net Metering | Full retail rate for excess electricity exported to the grid, with credits that roll over indefinitely. | Learn More |
Waltham Electricity Prices
Massachusetts electricity prices rose roughly 28%, from 22.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 29.3 cents in 2024. Waltham homeowners now pay nearly double the U.S. average of 16.5 cents per kWh.
In Waltham, MA, two main utilities serve homes: National Grid and Eversource. As of 2023, National Grid charged about 36.7¢ per kWh, while Eversource charged around 29.7¢ per kWh, well above the national average.
Waltham Solar Irradiance
Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Solar Production in Waltham by Month
| System Size | Daylight Hours | Energy Production (kWh/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | ||
| 7 kW | ||
| 10 kW |
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- Run central AC for 15 hours
- Fully charge 4.7 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 1.4 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- Keep your home heating system running for 10 hours
- Fully charge 2.1 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could offset 9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting 155 trees.