Going solar is a worthwhile endeavor for most Massachusetts homeowners, as solar panels typically save residents thousands of dollars over the lifespan of the equipment. With plenty of sun to provide energy for your system and average energy prices, homeowners typically enjoy energy savings that pay for their systems and continue to save them money over time.
Since the solar industry is rapidly growing in Massachusetts, there are tons of solar companies to choose from, and the choice can quickly become overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve done most of the hard work for you. In this guide, you’ll read about the our highest rated solar companies in Massachusetts and what sets them apart from other installers in the area.
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Top 7 Best Solar Installation Companies in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the most proactive states in the union when it comes to offering solar incentives to its residents, making it easy for most people to afford to invest in renewable energy. However, that doesn’t mean choosing a solar provider is easy. The Bay State boasts tons of solar companies — both local and national — that offer outstanding solar services at affordable prices.
- SunPower: Best Overall
- Green Power Energy: Most Educated Sales Team
- Trinity Solar: Outstanding Regional Provider
- Sunrun: Best for Leasing
- Momentum Solar: Best Customer Service
- Palmetto Solar: Best for System Customization
- Boston Solar: Outstanding Local Installer
Compare the Best Solar Companies in Massachusetts
Here’s an overview of the seven best solar panel companies in Massachusetts.
| Company | Our Take | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Warranty | In-House Installation | Cost |
| SunPower | Best Overall | 9.7 | A+ | 25 years for solar panels, 10 years for a comprehensive warranty | Sometimes | $$$$ |
| Green Power Energy | Most Educated Sales Team | 9.6 | A+ | 25 years for a limited warranty | Yes | $$$ |
| Trinity Solar | Outstanding Regional Provider | 9.6 | A+ | 25 years for limited warranty along with a 2-year performance guarantee and a 5-year workmanship guarantee | Yes (mostly) | $$$ |
| Sunrun | Best for Leasing | 9.5 | A- | 25 years for leased panels, 10 years for workmanship, plus manufacturer’s warranty on purchased panels | Sometimes | $$ |
| Momentum Solar | Best Customer Service | 9.4 | A+ | 25 years for equipment and workmanship | Yes | $$$ |
| Palmetto Solar | Best for System Customization | 9.3 | A+ | 25 years for solar panels, 10 years for workmanship | Yes | $$$ |
| Boston Solar | Outstanding Local Installer | 9.2 | A+ | 25 years for solar panels, 10 years for workmanship | Yes | $$$ |
SunPower – Best Overall
Why We Chose SunPower
SunPower has been around for almost three decades, and in that time, the company has distinguished itself as a leader in the solar energy industry. Despite being a national company, SunPower is an excellent choice for Massachusetts residents, with Massachusetts’ outstanding solar incentives program helping to offset the high cost of SunPower’s premium panels.
SunPower is a full-service solar company offering solar panels, solar batteries, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and solar monitoring. SunPower used to contract installations to local businesses but has recently started conducting in-house installations
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading efficiency
- In-house installations in many cases
- Excellent customer service
- 30 years in the business
Cons
- More expensive than most solar companies
- Not strictly a Massachusetts business
Cost, Warranty, & Services
SunPower panels are among the most expensive in the country, making the upfront costs seemingly prohibitive for some Massachusetts residents. However, the company offers an outstanding selection of solar services and several financing options, making it the best overall option and an accessible one despite its high costs. SunPower stocks Maxeon panels that come with their own microinverters.
SunPower Warranty
SunPower offers a generous 25-year warranty on all its solar panels and workmanship. It also covers power production for 25 years, and it offers a warranty for roof leaks, which is a rarity in the industry.
SunPower Financing Options
Customers can choose to pay in cash, via traditional financing, or opt for a solar lease, solar loan, or power purchase agreement (PPA). SunPower offers a $100 reward to any customer who refers a friend or family member who signs up for an in-house consultation.
For more information, read our in-depth SunPower Review.
Green Power Energy – Most Educated Sales Team
Why We Chose Green Power Energy
Green Power Energy is a relative newcomer to the solar energy business. The company was founded in 2012 and brought a unique, education-first approach to installing solar panels throughout Massachusetts. The company’s prices are fair, and it offers many standard solar services.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Laid back, knowledgeable sales team
- Focus on education
- Top-notch customer service
- Technicians have regional knowledge
Cons
- A young company without many reviews online
Green Power Energy Cost
The average cost of Green Power Energy solar panels is between $10,000 and $25,000, right in line with the overall average across the state.
Green Power Energy carries solar panels, batteries, innovative solar roof shingles, and EV chargers. Green Power Energy’s installation process is handled entirely in-house. The company carries Generac, Panasonic, Q Cells, Silfab, REC, JinkoSolar, Solaria panels, and Tesla.
Green Power Energy has several industry partners, including IronRidge Racking and Generac Power systems. Its installers are also certified by the North American Board of Certified Electrical Practitioners (NABCEP).
Green Power Energy Warranty
Green Power Energy offers a limited 25-year warranty that covers hardware, but the company’s website doesn’t mention any performance guarantees.
Green Power Energy Financing Options
The company has excellent financing options, including $0 down loans and leases. It also accepts cash purchases. The company also provides access to several flexible payment options that can help Massachusetts residents invest in renewable energy without breaking the bank. Green Power Energy is offering $1,000 to anyone who recommends a new customer that ultimately signs up with the company.
Trinity Solar – Outstanding Regional Provider
Why We Chose Trinity Solar
Trinity Solar has been in the solar business since 2014 but has more than 30 years of experience working on homes in the northeastern U.S. In less than ten years, Trinity Solar has installed over 80,000 solar systems for northeastern homeowners, plenty of whom live in Massachusetts. The company has a solid selection of solar services and states that maintaining a local focus is one of its guiding principles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent northeastern solar company
- Tons of financing options
- Offers upgrades
- Good customer service
Cons
- Warranty isn’t as comprehensive as the competition
- Information is hard to get because the company is privately-owned
Trinity Solar Cost
Trinity Solar is a family-owned solar business, which ultimately means it provides excellent customer service at a higher price than the competition.
Trinity Solar doesn’t publish pricing information on its website, preferring to deal directly with prospective customers on a case-by-case basis. This makes some sense but makes it difficult to estimate costs without contacting the company for a free quote.
Trinity Solar reports that most of its installations are done in-house, although it does keep subcontractors nearby to help speed things up when the schedule gets full. The company installs solar panels, EV chargers, and solar batteries. Trinity Solar carries solar equipment from many major brands, including Generac, SolarEdge, Q Cells, Enphase, and Tesla Powerwall batteries.
Trinity Solar Warranty
One weakness Trinity Solar has is its warranty. The company offers a 25-year limited warranty on equipment, but the workmanship is only guaranteed for five years and performance for a paltry two years.
Trinity Solar Financing Options
Trinity Solar customers can pay for their panels in cash or choose to use a loan or PPA. Trinity Solar offers a $250 incentive for every customer you refer to the company.
For more information, read our Trinity Solar Review.
Sunrun – Best for Leasing
Why We Chose Sunrun
Sunrun is a national solar installation company, but what you lose in local flair by going with Sunrun, you gain in niceties like leasing, affordability, flexibility, and financing options. The company also offers top-of-the-line solar energy solutions through its Brightbox system, a whole-home approach to storing and monitoring your energy usage. Unfortunately, Sunrun warranties are not competitive with other brands, with people who opt to purchase their panels being stuck with just the manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent track record
- Stability as a large business
- Access to high-quality equipment from companies like LG and Tesla
Cons
- Warranties don’t cover purchased panels
- Sales team can be pushy
Sunrun Cost
Sunrun is somewhat unique among solar panel companies in that it heavily incentivizes leasing panels over purchasing them. Sunrun offers a $1,000 reward for anyone who refers friends or family. The person you refer must sign up for solar service with SunRun for you to receive the reward.
Sunrun offers solar panel installation, battery backup installation, solar panel system monitoring, and EV charger installation. SunRun uses a specialized proprietary software package to survey and design your solar system before installing it. However, it often outsources installations. SunRun offers storage solutions via Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem lithium-ion batteries.
SunRun estimates that Massachusetts residents pay an average of $15,000 for a 4 kW system and $29,000 for an 8 kW system before the federal investment tax credit (ITC). This is around average.
Sunrun Warranty
SunRun does not provide an additional warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty, so customers who purchase panels need to familiarize themselves with each brand’s warranties before committing.
Leasing panels from Sunrun is a much more affordable proposition since leased panels are covered for repairs and replacements by SunRun for up to 25 years. However, leases tend to save you less in the long run.
Sunrun Financing Options
Customers who choose to lease panels from Sunrun have the option of leasing them monthly or paying the full lease from the start. Monthly leases require customers to pay to purchase the energy their panels generate, although SunRun guarantees that the costs will not exceed what you would pay your utility company.
The full lease option costs more than the monthly lease option since you have to pay the entire cost of the 25-year lease upfront. This option is cheaper than buying the panels outright and affords you the benefit of Sunrun’s maintenance and performance guarantees.
Customers who prefer to purchase solar panels can pay in cash or use in-house financing with no money down if they qualify.
For more information, read our in-depth Sunrun Review
Momentum Solar – Best Customer Services
Why We Chose Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar is a large solar energy company with a national footprint. It has been providing solar services to Massachusetts residents for ten years. The company takes a straightforward approach to solar energy, offering basic services backed by a generous warranty. It also makes customer service a priority with its concierge service structure, which guarantees you only interact with one person throughout your entire solar project, which is great for a large company.
For other facts, view our review of Momentum Solar.
If you’re looking for a solar company that offers tons of options, Momentum Solar isn’t the best choice. But if you want a dependable company that handles installation in-house and provides basic services at reasonable prices, it’s worth a look.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent warranty
- Superlative customer service
- Will handle local permits for you
Cons
- Limited product selection
Momentum Solar Cost
The company offers basic panel installation and battery backups, but not much else.
Without official pricing information on the Momentum Solar website, we can only estimate the average cost based on customer reviews. Most reviews suggest that Momentum prices reflect the local Massachusetts average, putting a conservative estimate of the average cost of around $20,000 before the ITC is considered.
Momentum Solar has a strong working relationship with industry giant Enphase for its microinverters and battery backups. The company sources its microinverters and batteries from Enphase. Customers can choose either the 3.36 kWh Encharge 3 or the larger 10.08 kWh Encharge 10 for their energy storage solution. Its installers are also NABCEP-certified.
Momentum Solar Warranty
Momentum Solar separates itself from the pack by offering one of the best warranties of any solar company we’ve seen in Massachusetts or elsewhere. The company backs all its installations with a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering equipment and craftsmanship.
Momentum Solar Financing Options
Somewhat surprising in light of its limited product lineup, Momentum Solar offers several convenient financing options. Customers can purchase their panels in cash or choose to finance them with a solar loan, solar lease, or PPA.
Find out more with our Momentum Solar Review.
Palmetto Solar – Best for System Customization
Why We Chose Palmetto Solar
Far from being a local Massachusetts rooftop solar company, Palmetto Solar is one of the ten largest solar companies in the country. It’s known for being a flexible company, offering several financing options, an assortment of top-quality products, and unique ethical guarantees related to the solar supply chain. Palmetto Solar’s prices are competitive based on the value provided, but they are still on the high side. However, many Palmetto customers are willing to foot the higher bill to support the company, citing its strong morals and excellent customer service.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ethical sourcing of equipment
- Top-of-the-line panels
- Easy to use monitoring app
Cons
- Underwhelming workmanship warranty
- Paid service for monitoring and maintenance
Palmetto Solar Cost
Palmetto doesn’t publish pricing information on its website, although customer reviews indicate that the cost of Palmetto solar panels is average to slightly above-average. This puts the average cost around $20,000 for the average Massachusetts home. The company does offer a handy cost estimator for several simple array designs, making it easy to get a quick and dirty estimate before you request a free estimate.
As of this writing, Palmetto Solar has a refer-a-friend program that earns you $100 for every customer you refer that signs up for solar through Palmetto. The company’s installations are all done in-house. Palmetto uses Q Cells, inverters from SolarEdge and Enphase, and batteries from Sonnen.
Palmetto Solar offers solar panels, batteries, monitoring, and maintenance, as well as customized survey and design services for new customers. Palmetto uses Q Cells, inverters from SolarEdge and Enphase, and batteries from Sonnen.
Palmetto Solar Warranty
Palmetto Solar’s panels are covered under a 25-year equipment warranty, and the inverters it uses come with a 12-year warranty if you go with SolarEdge and a 25-year warranty if you opt for Enphase inverters. The company also stands behind its installations with a 10-year workmanship warranty that includes five years’ worth of protection against roof punctures.
Palmetto Solar Financing Options
Palmetto customers can choose to pay cash for their panels or choose to lease them. The company also offers PPA for people who prefer not to own their panels.
Boston Solar – Outstanding Local Installer
Why We Chose Boston Solar
Boston Solar is the number one residential solar installer based in Massachusetts. The company has logged an impressive 5,000 residential solar installations in its 11 years in the industry and maintains an impressive A+ rating from the BBB. The company is the epitome of a small, local installer and offers the customer service and guarantees you expect from a regional business. The company stands behind its installations with a 10-year performance guarantee and offers high-quality workmanship.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Local Massachusetts company
- Stellar customer service reputation
- Exceptional production guarantee
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Fewer equipment options than most
Boston Solar Cost
As a comparatively small solar business, Boston Solar can’t compete with some of the larger companies when it comes to cost. What they offer instead is high-quality service from experienced technicians and unmatched performance assurances. The company also brings a regional awareness that non-native companies lack. Boston Solar services communities across the Bay State, including Woburn, North Andover, Waltham, Worcester, Marlborough, and, of course, Boston.
The average cost of solar services from Boston Solar is slightly higher than the overall Massachusetts average, coming in at around $20,000–$23,000 in most cases.
Boston Solar offers solar panel installations, solar energy monitoring, battery backups for storing energy, racking, inverters, critter guards for protection against chipmunks and other animals, and snow guards that prevent your solar system from incurring damage during the winter. The company offers Encharge 3, Encharge 10, and Tesla Powerwall battery storage.
Boston Solar Warranty
Boston Solar offers the best warranties in New England, including a 10-year production guarantee that offers to make up the difference by paying customers for underperforming systems. The company also offers standard 25-year warranties on its panels and inverters.
Boston Solar Financing Options
Boston Solar accepts cash and offers financing through Massachusetts Solar Loans and Sungage Financial. Unfortunately, they don’t offer PPAs.
Boston Solar offers $25 for any referrals that schedule a free consultation and $500 for any referrals that have a solar system installed.
Final Verdict: The Best Solar Company in Massachusetts
For our money, SunPower is the best overall solar company in Massachusetts. The company brings its considerable reputation for providing outstanding solar services to the Bay State, performing high-quality installations in-house, and offering industry-leading warranties on all its products. That said, SunPower is a premium solar company, so don’t expect to get bargain basement prices.
If you prefer a more Massachusetts-focused company, we believe Green Power Energy is tough to beat. The company only services properties in the northeast and is quickly becoming a regional leader in providing affordable solar installations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Solar Company in Massachusetts
If you’re still unsure which Massachusetts solar company is right for you, it might help to consider different aspects of solar service in general. Below, we break down the most important factors you need to think about before going solar.
Cost of Services & Installation
Most people know that solar is expensive, but they don’t realize that costs can vary substantially between different companies. For example, a company like SunPower focuses on offering the highest-quality solar panels and equipment, making its prices much higher than other companies on average. On the other hand, a smaller company like Green Power Energy may be more affordable, although you’ll have to settle for a smaller selection.
You also need to consider the long-term benefits of switching to solar power. Even if the upfront cost of new solar panels seems excessive, realize that you’ll save money on your electric bill for the next 20–30 years. Additionally, solar panels offer excellent ROIs and raise the value of your home, making them an excellent investment if you’re considering moving in the future.
Equipment and Damages Warranty
Many potential solar customers don’t pay enough attention to the warranties offered on their solar systems. Some companies offer comprehensive 25-year warranties that cover equipment, labor, and performance, while others only offer minimal short-term warranties and leave the rest up to whatever warranty the manufacturer supplies.
Warranties are especially important for Bay Staters who live along the coast or in the northern parts of the state, where they must contend with corrosive coastal conditions and harsh, icy winters, respectively.
Solar Services Offered
Not all solar companies offer the same services, making it important to find a solar provider that offers the products and features you’re looking for. Virtually every solar installer will offer panels and batteries, but more specialized services like EV chargers and in-depth solar monitoring aren’t always available. Make sure you know what you want before you start shopping since it will be much easier to filter your options with a clear picture of what you’re looking for in your head.
Financing Options
Financing options are related to the cost of services and installation but offer an opportunity to people who can’t afford to purchase their panels in cash. Many solar companies offer in-house financing, and some provide more options like solar leases and loans. The most complicated financing option is a PPA, which entails a solar company installing panels on your home and selling you the energy they generate.
The rate you’re charged under a PPA is often significantly lower than the rate you’d pay for electricity from a local utility company, making the agreement a win-win situation for both you and your solar provider. Leases and PPAs tend to be the cheapest upfront but end up saving you the least amount of money over time.
Do They Contract Installation?
A subtle detail about solar installations that many new solar customers miss is whether the company installs your panels in-house or hires an external company to do it. It might not seem like a big deal, and oftentimes it’s not, but some subcontracted solar installations suffer from customer service issues. It can be unclear who to call if your installation runs into a problem and workmanship disputes are sometimes more complicated when another company is involved.
If you have the option to choose a company that handles its installations in-house — all else being equal — you should choose them over a company that contracts its installations out to a third party.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
As the solar industry evolves and panels become more efficient, the differences between brands become less important. However, the current consensus is that some brands — most notably Maxeon and Tesla — are ahead of the field in terms of creating energy efficiency solar panels. Part of the high price SunPower solar systems go for is due to the high-quality Maxeon panels the company uses. Similarly, LG Chem and Tesla lithium-ion batteries are the best options for storing solar power and fetch proportionally higher prices.
If you want a simple answer and don’t want to do tons of brand research, here’s the bottom line: go with a company that uses Tier 1 panels. Most Tier 1 panels are extremely high-quality options these days, and while you won’t know who manufactures your panels before they’re installed, you can rest easy knowing they’ll be more than good enough to supply your home with clean energy for years to come.
Average Online Rating and Customer Reviews
Before you sign on the dotted line with any solar company, you should take some time to read customer reviews online. Hearing from real customers who have both positive and negative things to say about a company is the best way to get a feel for what it will be like as a customer. Reviews on the internet aren’t a one-to-one substitute for firsthand accounts from friends and family, but they offer insight that you won’t get from the promotional material a company posts on its website.
Industry Partnerships
The solar industry is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the United States, and companies are constantly looking for opportunities to distinguish themselves from the ever-growing list of solar providers. One way to do that is by forming partnerships with related businesses. Many solar companies strike deals with racking companies, roofers, battery suppliers, and general contractors to expand their influence. A company without many partnerships may be perfectly good, but a tight network shows that a company has staying power and will likely be around for many years, giving you some peace of mind.
Size of Company
Company size is a double-edged sword. Large companies can usually afford to charge lower prices and offer more service options but can’t provide the same level of personal attention that you get from a smaller company. Conversely, smaller businesses excel at customer service and personal relationships, but you’ll have to pay more for it.
The bottom line is that both large and small solar companies can be the right choice for you depending on what you value. If you want the most affordable panels that are backed by an industry giant, choosing a large national provider like SunPower is an easy choice. Instead, if you value fast response times and personalized attention, a smaller company like Green Power Energy might be better for you.
Today’s Homeowner’s Solar Companies Rating Methodology
At Today’s Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives, rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
