Key takeaway
SMART is Massachusetts' main solar incentive. Under SMART 3.0, which opened in October 2025, home systems of 25 kW AC or less earn a flat incentive for every kWh they produce, for up to 20 years, on top of net metering. The company installing your system applies for you. Program year 2026 is open through December 31, 2026.
Who this guide is for: Massachusetts homeowners who heard about SMART from a solar company or neighbor and want to know what it is and whether they'd get it.
If you've talked to a solar company in Massachusetts, you've probably heard the word SMART. It's the state's main solar incentive, and it changed a lot in 2025.
Most articles about SMART still describe the old version. Here's how SMART 3.0 works for homeowners today.
At a glance
| What it is | A state incentive paid for the solar power your system produces |
| Current version | SMART 3.0, open since October 15, 2025 |
| Home systems | 25 kW AC or less get a flat rate per kWh |
| How long | Up to 20 years |
| With net metering? | Yes. You can get both |
| Who applies | The company installing your system |
| 2026 deadline | Program year 2026 is open through December 31, 2026 |
What is the SMART program in Massachusetts?
SMART stands for Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target. It's a state program, run by the Department of Energy Resources, that pays an incentive for the electricity a solar system produces.
It replaced the old SREC programs. The current version, SMART 3.0, opened for applications on October 15, 2025.
How does SMART 3.0 work for homeowners?
- Flat rate: home systems of 25 kW AC or less earn a flat incentive for every kWh they produce. Low-income homeowners get a higher rate.
- Up to 20 years: the rate is locked in when your system qualifies.
- Paid by your utility: as a check or a bill credit, depending on the setup.
- On top of net metering: SMART doesn't replace your net metering credits.
The program sets its rates and capacity each year. For 2027, the state's draft plan keeps the home rate where it is.
How is SMART 3.0 different from the old SMART?
The older versions used declining blocks, so the incentive dropped as more systems signed up, and most home incentives lasted 10 years. SMART 3.0 uses yearly program rules instead, with a flat home rate for up to 20 years.
Home systems also aren't limited by the program's annual capacity cap, so homeowners don't have to race to get in before a block fills up.
Does your quote include SMART?
Send it to Mark. He'll check how SMART is handled in your quote and who gets the incentive.
Mark, review my quoteWho is eligible for SMART?
- Your utility is Eversource, National Grid or Unitil. Municipal light plant customers aren't eligible.
- Construction on the system started on or after June 20, 2025.
- The system hasn't already received a SMART or SREC incentive.
How do I get the SMART incentive?
You don't apply on your own. The company installing your system applies through your utility. As part of the process, you'll sign a customer disclosure form.
That form covers pricing for the full contract, system cost, who handles maintenance, who gets the incentive and the expected production. Read it carefully, and make sure it matches your quote and contract. Knowing how to read a solar quote makes that comparison easy.
Who gets the SMART incentive with a lease or PPA?
It depends on who owns the system. If you buy the system, the incentive usually goes to you. With a lease or PPA, the solar company owns the system and typically receives the incentive, which is often part of how they set your monthly price.
Either way, the disclosure form should say. If it's not clear, ask. It's one of the key questions to ask before signing a solar contract, and the difference between a solar lease and a PPA matters here.
How do SMART and net metering work together?
They're separate and you can get both. Net metering gives you a bill credit for extra power you send to the grid. SMART pays an incentive for all the power your system produces. Since they stack, it helps to understand how net metering works in Massachusetts too.
Is SMART still available?
Yes. Program year 2026 accepts applications through December 31, 2026, and the state has released a draft plan for 2027. Because home systems aren't limited by the annual cap, the bigger timing question is how long it takes to get through what happens after you sign a solar contract.
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 quoteFAQs About the SMART Program
Is the SMART program still available in 2026?
Yes. SMART 3.0 opened October 15, 2025, and program year 2026 accepts applications through December 31, 2026. Home systems of 25 kW AC or less aren't limited by the program's annual capacity cap.
How long do SMART payments last?
Under SMART 3.0, home systems can get the incentive for up to 20 years, at the rate locked in when the system qualifies.
Do I get SMART and net metering?
Yes. They're separate. Net metering gives you bill credits for extra power you send to the grid, and SMART pays an incentive for the electricity your system produces.
How do I sign up for SMART?
You don't apply yourself. The company installing your system applies through your utility. You'll sign a customer disclosure form as part of the process.
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.