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About Solar PV
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Solar photovoltaics (solar PV) convert sunlight into electrical energy through an array of solar panels that connect to a building's electrical system and/or the electrical grid.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the important policies and topics one should understand when thinking about installing solar PV. For a more in depth overview, read MassCEC's Residential Guide To Solar Power.
Solar PV Topics To Know:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts initiated its first incentive program for solar PV in 2001, funded through a small renewable energy charge on electric utility bills. In April 2007, solar PV took off in Massachusetts when Governor Deval Patrick announced a goal of 250 MW of installed solar power by 2017. To begin reaching this goal, which was significantly higher than the 3.5 MW of solar PV installed at the time, the Commonwealth Solar Rebate Program was launched in January 2008. Since the launch of this innovative program, a growing number of solar PV projects have been installed throughout the state, providing clean, renewable energy to ratepayers of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts is known as a national leader in solar energy and one of the best regulatory and incentive climates for solar energy. Since 2007, the number of solar installers in Massachusetts has grown from 50 to more than 270, and the Massachusetts solar market has enticed numerous businesses that offer innovative financing models that aim to make solar energy accessible for more people in the Commonwealth.
 A solar PV system consists of a few pieces of equipment wired together and connected to a
home’s or building's power distribution network. Components typically include:
Solar PV Array: When sunlight strikes the semiconductor material inside a solar cell, it frees electrons, then captures the electrons in an electric current. This process converts sunlight directly into electricity. The more intense the sunlight striking the cell, the greater the amount of electricity produced.
Solar cells are aggregated together to form a PV panel or a module. A solar array generally includes several modules wired together to achieve the desired system capacity or power producing capability.
Inverter: Solar PV panels produce direct current (DC) power, which must be converted to alternating current (AC) power which is supplied by electric utilities in the united States. This is accomplished by an inverter. Typically, the inverter is located near where the electric service from the local utility enters the house (close to the electrical panel). In grid-connected systems, inverters are designed so that if power from the utility goes down, the PV system will shut down as well. This is an important safety precaution for utility workers, and the PV system will not restart until power has been restored to the grid.
Shut-Off: Some Massachusetts utilities require an external shut off, or a disconnect, for the PV system so that the power company can shut down the system if necessary when workers are fixing the power lines.
Massachusetts’ vibrant solar industry has a variety of ownership and financing options for residents and businesses looking to install solar PV in the Commonwealth. These options include direct ownership, solar leases, or power purchase agreement (PPA) contracts, in which a homeowner purchases solar energy from a system located on their property. Consumers should thoroughly review any solar PV financial arrangement. Below is an overview of some of the major considerations, requirements, and costs and benefits one should understand before signing a contract to install solar PV.
Aside from the various incentives a system may qualify for, it is important to note that the cost-benefit analysis regarding solar PV is site specific and should include an analysis of a particular site’s shading, orientation and roof pitch, as well as the solar PV equipment’s efficiency, host customer's electric rates, and other factors.
Upfront Costs and Incentives
Purchasing a solar PV system generally requires upfront installation and equipment costs, but there are significant benefits that are realized over time. Upfront costs can be offset by the following:
For more information on incentives that are offered for clean energy projects, please visit MassCEC’s Financing Clean Energy Projects page, or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
Long Term Costs and Incentives
Solar PV system owners will also realize long term economic benefits such as:
As is the case with any appliance, solar PV systems require some maintenance over their lifetime. This generally includes making sure the solar panels are clean, ensuring the panels are receiving unobstructed sunlight, and replacing the inverter generally once during the life of the solar PV project, which should be between 20 to 25 years. Installers should provide a minimum five-year labor warranty to protect your equipment against defective workmanship, PV component breakdown, or significant degradation in electrical output. In addition, the solar PV equipment should have appropriate manufacturer’s warranties.
The next step is to contact a contractor that can do a site assessment and help to determine a project size that will be suitable for your site’s specific conditions. Please visit the Finding an Installer section of our web site for resources you can use to find an installer.
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