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Sunrun
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SunPower
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SunBug Solar
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Nexamp
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Boston Solar
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NEC Solar
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Summit Energy
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Mass Renewables
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Future Energy
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The renewable energy industry has blossomed over the last 20 years and Massachusetts ranks 8th overall in cumulative solar production, nationwide. In the densely populated Boston area, solar energy companies are no longer a “new thing” and consumers have the power to choose between a multitude of providers to fit their unique installation demands.
Before you choose a solar company in Boston, it is important to know whether you are looking to purchase or lease a system. While solar leases or PPA agreements can help homeowners save money on electricity bills immediately, outright and financing purchases typically help utility consumers save the most over time. When purchasing or financing a solar panel installation, homeowners should know whether or not they will qualify for tax credits to help reduce the total cost of a system.
As you evaluate solar companies in Boston, look for longevity, personal recommendations, certifications and positive online reviews. If the company has been around for a while, it is more likely that it will be available for the multi-decade lifespan of your solar energy system. Likewise, companies that have NABCEP and local solar certifications (or only use reputable installation contractors) are more likely to provide a high-quality installation and customer experience.
While making your decision, price is not the only factor that should be considered. Pay close attention to contract terms, warranty periods and production guarantees. By working with a company that offers warrantied maintenance service and parts replacement, homeowners can save thousands of dollars down the line on costly repairs.
The Boston solar energy scene offers everything from handheld devices to commercial power developers, so it can be tough to know which option is best for you. If you’re looking to save money on your electricity bills with a rooftop or backyard solar energy system, make sure that you search for residential photovoltaic (PV) or electric solar panel installations.
Within the realm of residential solar panel installations, there are essentially three main options: grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid. Since it saves the most money upfront and takes advantage of local net metering, grid-tied is the most popular option for residential solar. By adding backup battery storage, homes can go completely “off-grid” with a large enough electricity reserve or “hybrid,” which uses a combination of grid and battery power.
In instances where solar panels cannot be installed on your property, community solar farms with virtual purchase power agreements let you buy solar energy from a third-party source near Boston.
For Boston homeowners, the average solar energy system will cost between $12,000 and $36,000, depending on its size, components and features. Using research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, independent studies and real-world data from installer sources, we’ve put together the average costs of some of the Boston area’s largest companies below.
If you’re looking for an estimate from a local or national installer, we encourage you to contact them personally and compare quotes from a handful of these green businesses.
| Company | Starting installation cost* | Estimated payback period | Solar panel warranty length | Workmanship warranty | Solar services offered/th> | Add-on services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | $15,000 to $29,000 | 6 to 9 years | Up to 25 years | 10 years | Ownership, financing, lease and PPAs | Battery storage and EV charging |
| Sunpower | $12,800 to $36,000 | 5 to 15 years | 25 years | 10 years | Ownership, financing, lease and PPAs | Microinverters included, batteries and app control |
| Sunbug Solar | $12,000 to $24,000 | Under 10 years | 25 years | 10 years | Direct purchase and solar loans | SunPower dealer and O&M |
| Nexamp | $0 (lease only for residential) | N/A | Length of lease | Length of lease | Commercial installations, PPAs and virtual PPAs | Community solar, PV storage and large-scale solar |
| Boston Solar | Contact for estimate | 5 to 15 years | 25 years | 10 years | Direct ownership and financing | Solar battery storage, critterguard and commercial solar |
| NEC Solar | Contact for an estimate | Varies | Up to 25 years | Up to 25 years | Residential solar | Commercial solar, battery storage and various construction |
| Summit Energy | Contact for an estimate | 5 to 15 years | Up to 30 years | Up to 30 years | Solar ownership, financing and PPAs | Roofing, commercial solar |
| Mass Renewables | Contact for an estimate | Varies | Up to 25 years | Up to 25 years | System and accessory installation and ownership | Commercial solar, carports, EV charging and battery installation |
| Future Energy | Contact for an estimate | 5 to 12 years | 25 years | Up to 25 years | Residential solar | Microinverter options |
As residential solar energy is a highly personalized industry, the price of your installation is almost always going to be different than your neighbors’. Solar energy systems are designed to offset a property’s unique electric demand based on consumer variables like available roof space, mounting materials required and bonus system parts like solar backup batteries, electric panel upgrades and EV chargers.
In Massachusetts, electricity rates are among the highest in the country, which is why alternative energy sources often help homeowners recap a $20,000+ investment in less than a decade. Individual homeowner payback periods will vary, and going solar is most financially feasible for those who qualify for the federal tax credit and cash in on local incentives.
While the cost of solar energy in Boston may seem high, it is important to remember that direct system ownership allows homeowners to essentially purchase 25 years of electricity production at once. As such, prospective buyers should pay attention to not only system size and estimated production, but also financing options, interest rates and expected payback periods.
Sunrun |
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Traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange, Sunrun is one of the largest solar energy companies in the United States, offering Boston area customers a variety of professional services. With solar financing for system ownership, solar leases and PPA contracts, Sunrun does everything under the sun for residential solar and storage options. With nearly a dozen locations in the greater Boston area, Sunrun is a strong professional solar partner for installations, starting as low as $15,000. The California-based company has a plethora of options for personalization, including name-brand microinverter-based systems, battery back-ups and EV charging stations. |
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SunPower |
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Another California-based company with local operations, SunPower offers Boston customers solar ownership and leasing options. SunPower comes with the advantage of manufacturing nearly all of its own equipment, from panels to mounting systems. This means lower costs for the company, and the savings are passed on to the customer, with systems starting around $12,800. Strictly using regulated local installers, SunPower fully vets its contractors to connect homeowners with the best Boston has to offer. With battery options and 25-year comprehensive warranties on performance, monitoring and storage standard elements of their solar packages, SunPower is a reputable company that has great customer reviews across the country. SunPower has a local office located at 262 Washington St., Ste. 700, Boston, MA 02108. |
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SunBug Solar |
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Offering local solar solutions for homes, businesses and nonprofits near Boston, Sunbug Solar was crowned Boston Magazine's 2022 Best Company for Solar Panels. Sunbug Solar is a company with multi-decade warranty periods to match the industry standards. Sunbug is a certified B corporation and AMICUS member that specializes in direct system purchases. Working with customers to find the best solution, Sunbug Solar offers financing options with recognized partners like Mosaic, MySolar Loan, Mass Solar Loan, Sungage and more. Sunbug Solar is located at 2A Draper St., Woburn, MA 01801. |
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Nexamp |
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Nexamp is a national solar energy company that serves Massachusetts customers from its Boston, Haverhill and Sturbridge offices. While Nexamp is not the company to contact if you are interested in purchasing a rooftop solar system, they do offer flexible PPA options for commercial customers and community solar projects for residential neighborhoods. Completely void of annual contracts, Nexamp makes it easy for Boston-area home and business owners to virtually purchase solar energy without having to make a large financial commitment. The company can also help landowners and developers begin their own solar farms in Massachusetts. It is located at 101 Summer St., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110. |
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Boston Solar |
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As you may have guessed by its name, Boston Solar is a local company that is owned and operated right in Beantown. They’ve completed over 5,000 installations in 11 years and are dedicated to helping local residents. Boston Solar has been named the “Top Solar Contractor in Massachusetts” for five consecutive years by Solar Power World. Offering 25-year system warranties and 10-year guarantees on production, Boston Solar is a local option with operations and maintenance contractually included. The company has one of the area's best “refer a friend” programs with separate cash payouts for referrals that schedule a consultation and decide to install solar. Boston Solar is located at 55 6th Road, Ste.1, Woburn, MA 01801. |
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NEC Solar |
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With over 3,000 installations, NEC Solar is a full-service construction and electrical company capable of adding solar panels and much more to Boston homes. NEC Solar is a Newport Electric Construction & Service division and guarantees expert craftsmanship, with 25-year performance warranties and comprehensive workmanship coverage. Focusing on energy security with battery backup options, NEC Solar is a residential and commercial developer with flexible options for personalized service. While the price of your solar energy system will be competitive with national options, NEC is also available to help bundle services like roofing and other electrical upgrades for discounted prices. NEC Solar has an office located at 275 Grove St., Ste. 2-400, Auburndale, MA 02466. |
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Summit Energy |
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Offering residential solar, commercial solar and complete roofing services in the Boston area, Summit Energy is a growing company with local roots. Summit takes things one step beyond ordinary manufacturers' guarantees with a standard 30-year warranty on solar panel arrays. Thanks to its comprehensive array of products and brand partnerships, Summit Energy can connect homeowners in Massachusetts with the industry’s top-performing parts, including microinverters, batteries and high-efficiency panels from around the world. Summit Energy offers direct system ownership for roof mounts, ground mounts and solar tracking arrays. Summit Energy is located at 293 Libbey Parkway, Ste. 250, Weymouth, MA 02189. |
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Mass Renewables |
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Mass Renewables is a home-grown solar energy company with system ownership options for Boston home and business owners. In business since 2009, Mass Renewables has a “Peace of Mind” guarantee that includes 100% of system maintenance in the initial purchase. Mass Renewables is a Tesla Powerwall installer and offers battery-backup services alongside ground, roof and tracker-mounted solar installations. The company has been recognized as one of Solar Power World’s Top 500 North American solar companies. Mass Renewables has an office at 90 Mendon St., Bellingham, MA 02019. |
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Future Energy |
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Future Energy is a small, local solar installer based in Melrose, offering solutions for Massachusetts homeowners. By connecting buyers with MySolar Loan and GreenBiz Financial, Future Energy offers easy purchasing options that can make installing a personalized solar system more accessible for you. Future Energy focuses on Bostonians and homeowners in Massachusetts looking for a personalized experience from a small, dedicated team before, during and after a turnkey installation. With a 25-year guarantee, Future Energy will personally fix your system if anything goes wrong. The company is located at 5 Short St., Melrose, MA 02176. |
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