What incentives are available?
| Incentive | What it is | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConnectedSolutions | $275 per kW of average summer event contribution | Active | masssave.com |
| Mass Save HEAT Loan | Up to $25,000 at 0% for batteries | Active | masssave.com |
| Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) | Was 30% of cost | Ended for property placed in service after 12/31/2025 | irs.gov |
How does ConnectedSolutions work?
On hot summer afternoons the grid is at its busiest. ConnectedSolutions pays battery owners to discharge during those peaks. According to Mass Save, events run on non-holiday days from June 1 to September 30, between 3 and 8 p.m., with no more than 60 events a season and each lasting up to three hours. You are paid on the battery's average output across the events.
Mass Save says the battery can be installed with new solar, added to existing solar or installed on its own, and the inverter must be under 50 kW. You buy and install the battery through an installer, then enroll through the battery maker. National Grid and Cape Light Compact program materials say the rate is locked for the first five summers and that some manufacturers keep a share of the payment, so ask before you sign.
What happened to the federal tax credit?
The Residential Clean Energy Credit paid 30% of the cost of a qualifying battery of at least 3 kWh. The IRS page now says the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
What about financing and the electrical work?
Mass Save lists batteries as eligible for up to $25,000 of 0% HEAT Loan financing. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center also lists the HEAT Loan and the Energy Saver Home Loan for electrical service upgrades. If a battery is part of a bigger electrification plan, read how to avoid a service upgrade first, because managing loads can change what electrical work you need.
Programs change often. Check masssave.com and irs.gov before you decide, and ask your tax advisor about your own situation.
