Solar Power
Solar Power
Why Go Solar
Solar energy is a cost-effective way to save on your energy bills and support a green future. Solar panels can be easily installed on your home or property and set up to collect the most power possible. As utility costs keep rising, solar power will allow you to control your costs and save money. State incentives also make it easy to install new solar panels and tax credits can save you money during tax season.
The Process
Massachusetts is one of the top ten states for solar power, with over 130,000 installations throughout the state. Discover what your neighbors already know by choosing solar power for your home. Work with BD Electrical & Solar to learn more about installing solar panels and gaining from this new technology.
BD Electrical & Solar will first obtain a copy of your energy bill to assess your current costs. We’ll figure out how much you can save by switching to solar power and discuss your current and future power needs.
Next, our team will schedule a site visit to take photos of your property and analyze the space. We’ll use this information to create a realistic 3D rendering of the final project to show you what your property will look like with solar panels.
After that, BD Electrical & Solar will schedule installation dates for your solar panels. Our team will come to your home and install brand-new solar panels at just the right angle to catch the most solar energy.
Lastly, we’ll monitor your electrical usage and show you how much you’re saving with your new solar panel system. Your energy bill will reflect the amount of power you’re using from the city grid and how much you’re using from your solar panels.
Clean Energy Installation Services
Commercial Solar Power
Solar power is a great option for powering up your business because it’s nearly free to create and abundantly available. No fossil fuels need to be obtained and burned to create the energy—all you need is a sunny day!
Common Solar Power Questions.
We’ve been asked a lot of questions about solar power throughout our years in the industry. Here are some of the ones we get most frequently.
Is solar energy the best solution for my business?
Business owners may consider many upgrades to diminish operational costs and market progressive practices to customers. In the case of energy management, solar is a great universal solution that fits any business. Often, after business owners install solar power, the also upgrade other aspects of their business sites such as insulation, heating, and air quality control in tandem to double down on their business property efficiency.
Will solar energy actually save my business money?
Yes! In Massachusetts, business owners experience a full payback on their solar investments in 3-5 years, depending on panel sizing, net metering, and applied incentives. Businesses with solar power rely less on utilities over a 30-year system lifetime. As an example, if your business pays $1,000 per month in energy costs prior to installing a solar power system, it is estimated that your business will save $360k in energy costs over 30 years after installing solar panels that cover up to 100% of the business’s energy consumption- and that is not including the abundant solar incentives available for business owners to utilize, which help save even more money.
Do solar panel systems need to be regularly maintained?
Solar systems are long term investments, and it is important to ensure you receive the full benefit of renewable energy by protecting those assets from potential breakdowns and repairs. Our team suggest that customers enroll in our O&M Program, which offers proactive system monitoring and competitive pricing for preventative system maintenance and inspections.
Will my business be able to use solar energy during a local power outage?
Yes and no. Not all solar power systems will be able to stay running during a local power outage, but some can. Solar inverters run off electricity, so if your local grid is down, the solar energy system will be off as well. Comparatively, some systems are built so that they can “island” during the day when the sun is out. This means that they will remain producing electricity with the current available sunlight even though grid power is down. Solar energy systems that can perform this process typically cost more than their simpler counterparts, but many business owners consider their abilities worth the price. If your business prioritizes having power during outages, we recommend a battery system to keep you powered both night and day, using stored solar energy.
Are there any federal or state initiatives for businesses who utalize solar energy systems?
Yes. The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a current US federal tax credit available to business owners at 26%. This credit can be claimed during tax season, in which owners receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on 26% of their solar construction costs. Additionally, the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) is available to business owners to utilize. With MACRS, renewable energy investments can be recovered for federal tax purposes. Massachusetts also has state specific initiatives, such as the SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program.
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System
For business owners who switch to solar, the MACRS program allows for lower taxes based on the cost of the solar panel system. This program allows most business owners to receive the best tax benefits possible over the course of just five years.
Massachusetts State Incentives
Our state has a wide range of tax incentives and rebates available to help cover part of the cost of installing solar panels. Check the list of programs below to discover what is available:
Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit
This program offers a credit for part of the cost to install a new solar energy system. Owners of a renewable energy system can receive a credit equal to 15% of the cost to add any renewable system to their property, set against their state income tax, with a limit of $1,000 in total.
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART)
The SMART program offers incentives to customers of Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil. Massachusetts customers can receive a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy produced over the course of a decade. Rates range from nine to thirty-one cents per kWh depending on location and utility. Low-income residents and those who add a battery storage unit to their solar power system can receive additional incentives.
Net metering in Massachusetts
Net metering measures the amount of electricity sent back to the local grid. Electric companies pay consumers for excess solar energy produced by their systems. Rates vary by company, providing a way to earn extra income from a robust solar panel system.
Massachusetts solar tax exemptions
Net metering measures the amount of electricity sent back to the local grid. Electric companies pay consumers for excess solar energy produced by their systems. Rates vary by company, providing a way to earn extra income from a robust solar panel system.
Residential Clean Energy Credit
Also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the Residential Clean Energy Credit can lower the cost of your Massachusetts solar power system by 30%. This credit is available to anyone who buys their PV solar energy system outright and has sufficient income for the credit to be meaningful.
Municipal Light Plant Solar Rebate Program
Certain municipalities throughout Massachusetts offer a rebate program that provides money to residents who go solar. These municipalities offer a one-time lump sum payment for installing a solar panel system at their homes. Residents should check with their local Massachusetts municipality to see if the rebate is offered and the amount that can be paid out.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Incentives
Electrical Panel Upgrades
For those who qualify (income no more than 150% of the community’s median), the IRA covers up to $4,000 to install a new electrical panel.
A separate electrical panel upgrade tax credit is available for non-qualifying homeowners: 30% of the project cost or a maximum of $600.
A separate electrical panel upgrade tax credit is available for non-qualifying homeowners: 30% of the project cost or a maximum of $600.
EV Charger Installations
The Clean Vehicle Credit covers 30% of the cost to install a home EV charger, up to $1,000. This credit also provides up to $7,500 off the price of a new electric vehicle and up to $4,000 off the price of a used electric vehicle.
Wiring Upgrades
The Energy Efficient Home Credit covers up to $2,500 for wiring replacements and renovations in older homes.
Heat Pump Adoption
The Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit offers 30% of the cost for various energy efficiency improvements, including up to $2,000 for heat pumps. Other improvements have varying limits, such as $600 for energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment and $1,200 for overall qualified energy efficiency improvements.
What to expect when you switch to solar with BD Electrical and Solar
Talk with you about your need for solar panels and obtain a current utility bill
Use HD satellite imagery and 3D software to create a preliminary report
Schedule a site visit to conduct an in-person audit of your property
Create a service contract and price for the project
Design and engineer construction drawings and structural stamp
Apply for building & electrical permits for the project
Schedule installation and install the solar panels
Inspect the finalized project and file documents with local utilities
Coordinate with local utility to install NET meter and SMART meter
Turn on the system, explain the metering app, and answer questions
BD Electrical & Solar will continue to monitor your solar panel system remotely for one year, totally free of charge. This allows you to see how much power you’re producing and how much money you are saving on your electricity.
Trust Our Expert Technicians
BD Electrical & Solar takes the guesswork out of “going green”. We’ll handle every part of your solar panel project, from initial inspections to flipping the power switch.
Our team works hard to make sure that you don’t have to worry about a thing. You’ll work with the same people from beginning to end so you can always get answers from someone you know and trust.
Our team works hard to make sure that you don’t have to worry about a thing. You’ll work with the same people from beginning to end so you can always get answers from someone you know and trust.
