Massachusetts: MassCEC - Commonwealth Solar Hot Water (Pilot)

Since February 2011, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) provides rebates for the installation of residential solar hot water systems through the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Pilot Program. Commonwealth Solar Hot Water rebates are available to electricity customers served by the following Massachusetts investor-owned electric utilities: Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light (Unitil), National Grid, NSTAR Electric and Western Massachusetts Electric. In addition, customers of certain municipal lighting plant (MLP) including Ashburnham, Templeton, Holden, Holyoke and Russell utilities are eligible. Only residents that live in territories that contribute to the MassCEC Renewable Energy Trust Fund are eligible for the rebate.

In addition, the system must be installed at a residential building with 1 to 4 units. The building must be occupied year-round. Any fuel may be used as a backup to the solar water heater. Pool heaters do not qualify for this rebate; however, space heating and combo systems do qualify.

Incentive rates are determined by using the following equation:

$25*(# of collectors)*(SRCC rating)

In order to determine the SRCC rating of a particular solar hot water system, go to www.solar-rating.org, select the appropriate SRCC number, and find the Category C - Mildly Cloudy rating under "thousands of BTU per panel per day."

Residents can receive an additional $200 if the system includes parts that are manufactured in Massachusetts. The MassCEC website includes a list of known manufacturers that make solar water heater parts in Massachusetts. Rebates are capped at $3,500 per building or 25% of the total installed costs. Additional funding may be available for residents who were impacted by the June 1, 2011 tornado (in the Springfield area). This incentive may be used in combination with other state, federal, and utility loans and rebates.

Applications are available online. Installers submit the applications online for the customer. Once the application has been approved, an email will be sent to both the installer and the resident. The system must then be installed at the home within 9 months of receiving the approval email. After the installation, the installer will submit all necessary forms online, including photos, a completion form, a copy of the building permit, invoices, and a W-9 from the system owner. 

Audits will be performed on the first two installations performed by every installer. Residents have the option of participating in a metering program. The metering program will be used allow MassCEC to design the follow-up program to the pilot program. Interested customers should have the installer check the appropriate box on the application at the time of submission.