Key takeaway
Before you sign, ask about six things: who's doing the work, how the system was sized, what you'll pay over the full contract, what's included, what happens after the system is on, and what Massachusetts law says the contract must include. Get the important answers in writing.
Who this guide is for: Massachusetts homeowners who are close to signing a solar contract and want to make sure they haven't missed anything.
Signing a solar contract is a big decision. Most agreements run 20 or 25 years. The good news is that a few clear questions now can save you a lot of headaches later.
Here are the questions to ask before you sign, grouped so you can work through them with the rep, plus the Massachusetts contract details most checklists leave out.
At a glance
| The company | Who sells it, who installs it, are they registered in MA |
| The system | Size, equipment and how production was estimated |
| The money | Total cost over the contract, escalator, savings assumptions |
| The work | Permits, utility approval, roof and electrical, timeline |
| After it's on | Monitoring, service, roof work later, selling your home |
| MA contract | Registration number, dates, cancellation rights, no blank spaces |
Questions about the company
- Who will actually install the system: your own crews or a partner?
- What's your Home Improvement Contractor registration number in Massachusetts?
- Who supervises the job, and do they hold a Massachusetts construction supervisor license?
- How long have you been installing in Massachusetts?
- After the install, who's my main contact?
In solar, the company that sells you the system isn't always the one that puts it on your roof. That's normal. You just want to know who's responsible for each part.
Questions about the system
- How did you decide on this system size?
- What percentage of my yearly usage will it cover?
- How did you come up with the production estimate? Did you look at my actual roof and shade?
- What exact panel and inverter models are you using?
- Can the system handle an EV or heat pump if I add one later?
Bring your last 12 months of electric bills so you can check the answers against how many solar panels you need and what a realistic solar production estimate looks like.
Questions about the money
- Is this a lease, a PPA or am I buying the system?
- What will I pay in total over the full contract?
- Is there an escalator? What percentage, and does it apply every year?
- What utility rate and rate increase does your savings estimate assume?
- Are there any costs not shown on this page?
- Who gets the SMART incentive, if the system qualifies?
The escalator deserves extra attention. It compounds every year, so a small percentage adds up over 25 years, whether it's in a solar lease or a PPA.
One more: if anyone tells you the 30% federal credit will lower your cost, ask them to double-check. That federal credit ended for homeowners on December 31, 2025.
Got a solar quote?
Send it to Mark. He'll go through it line by line and tell you if it's a good deal for your home.
Mark, review my quoteQuestions about the work
- Who pulls the town permits?
- Who files the interconnection application with Eversource or National Grid?
- Does my roof need any work first? Is that included?
- Does my electrical panel need an upgrade? Is that included?
- What's the timeline from signing to turning the system on?
- What happens if the timeline slips?
Most homeowners are surprised by what happens after you sign a solar contract. There are a lot of steps between signing and turning the system on.
If your roof is older, it's worth a real conversation now about whether to replace your roof before installing solar panels.
Questions about after the system is on
- How do I monitor what my panels are making?
- Who do I call if production drops or something looks wrong?
- If I need a new roof down the road, who removes and reinstalls the panels?
- What happens to the contract if I sell my house?
- Can I add a battery later?
What must a Massachusetts solar contract include?
This is the part most checklists miss. In Massachusetts, solar on an existing owner-occupied one-to-four-family home falls under the state's home improvement contractor law. The contract should include:
- The contractor's name, address and registration number
- The date you signed and the salesperson's name, if there is one
- Start and substantial completion dates
- A detailed description of the work and materials
- The total price and payment schedule
- Your cancellation rights, and how to use them
- Whether a lien will be placed on your home
- Which permits are needed, and that the contractor will get them
- "Do not sign this contract if there are any blank spaces" in bold above the signature line
If the system is going into the SMART program, you'll also sign a customer disclosure form. Make sure its numbers match your quote and contract. It also helps to know what to look for in a solar contract and how your right to cancel a solar contract in Massachusetts works.
Questions to ask yourself
- How long do I plan to stay in this house?
- How old is my roof?
- Do I understand every page, or am I signing because I feel rushed?
If you can answer those comfortably and the company answered everything above clearly, you're in good shape. If not, take a step back and check if your solar quote is a good deal.
Want someone in your corner before you sign?
Send your quote to Mark. He'll go through it with you and tell you what to ask.
Mark, review my quoteFAQs About Signing a Solar Contract
What questions should I ask a solar company?
Ask who installs the system, how the size and production estimate were figured, what you'll pay over the full contract, whether there's an escalator, what work is included, who handles permits and the utility, and who you call if something goes wrong.
Can I cancel a solar contract after signing in Massachusetts?
In most cases, yes, especially early in the project. How easy it is depends on how far along your project is and what your contract says, so read the cancellation section and contact the company in writing.
How do I check if a solar contractor is registered in Massachusetts?
Ask for the Home Improvement Contractor registration number, which should be on the contract, and look it up on the state's license lookup at mass.gov. You can also check the construction supervisor license of whoever supervises the job.
What happens to my solar contract if I sell my house?
It depends on how you paid. With a lease or PPA, the new owner usually takes over the agreement, so ask how the transfer works before you sign. If you own the system, it typically stays with the house.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for 14+ years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.
This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't legal or tax advice. Every home, quote and contract is different, and production, savings, timelines and program rules vary and can change. Read your own contract carefully and talk with a qualified professional before making a decision.