What a Massachusetts battery can earn in 2026
These amounts come from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) battery page. We re-read it on October 3, 2026.
Mass Save ConnectedSolutions
Your utility draws on your battery during summer peak events. MassCEC's example: a battery that can give 5 kW without a break earns about $1,375 a year. A smaller battery earns less.
Upfront Mass Save battery rebate
We found no upfront per-kWh battery rebate. Older pages on other sites quote one. MassCEC lists only pay-as-you-go programs and loans.
Mass Save HEAT Loan
Terms up to 7 years, but only if the battery is enrolled in ConnectedSolutions. Income-qualified homes can use the Energy Saver Home Loan: up to $100,000 at up to 2% for up to 20 years.
SMART 3.0 (solar)
SMART pays for the solar power your panels make: $0.03 per kWh for small homes in 2026, $0.06 for low-income homes. A battery added with solar can earn more through the SMART battery adder.
Federal battery tax credit
The 30% federal credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Put simply: the battery pays you back over time. MassCEC's example puts the upfront cost near $10,000. At about $1,375 a year from ConnectedSolutions, a 5 kW battery could earn back a big part of that in the first several years. Your real number depends on battery size and how many events you join.
Why there is no upfront rebate
Many states pay a lump sum when you install a battery. Massachusetts chose a different path. Mass Save pays you for what the battery does: on the hottest summer afternoons, when everyone runs air conditioning, your utility pulls power from your battery so it does not have to fire up extra plants. You get paid for each season you take part.
That means two homes with the same battery can earn different amounts. A family that joins every event earns the full amount. A family that opts out often earns less. Ask your installer how many events a season to expect, and whether you can keep some charge back for outages.
Outage backup comes first
The best reason to buy a battery is still keeping your lights, fridge and furnace fan on when the power goes out. MassCEC notes a home battery can carry essential loads for one or even two days, depending on size and how much power you use. If you have solar, ask about islanding. It lets your panels recharge the battery during a long outage.
If you mainly want backup and do not care about earnings, a battery may still beat a generator: no fuel, no oil changes, and no noise.
If your town has its own light plant
Some Massachusetts towns get power from a Municipal Light Plant (MLP), not Eversource, National Grid or Unitil. Mass Save programs do not cover those towns. MassCEC tells MLP customers to check their own light plant for battery offers. The state's MLP Z-Loan can lend $500 to $25,000 for up to 5 years in some of those towns.
Is it worth it for your home?
A battery makes the most sense if you already have solar, lose power often, or would otherwise buy a generator. It makes less sense if you rarely lose power and cannot join ConnectedSolutions. We will tell you if the math does not work for your home.
How to get paid for your battery
- Check your utility on your bill: Eversource, National Grid or Unitil can use Mass Save. A light plant town should call its MLP.
- Pick a battery your utility accepts for ConnectedSolutions. Your installer will know the current list.
- If you want the 0% HEAT Loan, line it up before you sign. The battery must be enrolled in ConnectedSolutions.
- After the battery is running, enroll in ConnectedSolutions through your utility or installer.
- If you have or add solar, ask your installer to register the battery for SMART too.
More for Massachusetts homes
- Massachusetts home rebates: every program in one place
- Mass Save programs: what Mass Save pays for heat pumps, insulation and more
- National Grid rebates: National Grid's home offers
- Federal tax credits in 2026: which federal credits ended
- Boston home rebates: Boston's programs and installers
- Worcester home rebates: Worcester's programs and installers
- Springfield home rebates: Springfield's programs and installers
Common questions
Does Mass Save give a rebate for a home battery?
Not an upfront one. In 2026 Mass Save pays through ConnectedSolutions, where you earn money each summer for letting your utility use the battery at peak times. MassCEC's example is about $1,375 a year for a 5 kW battery.
Can I finance a battery at 0% in Massachusetts?
Yes. The Mass Save HEAT Loan lends up to $25,000 at 0% for up to 7 years, as long as the battery is enrolled in ConnectedSolutions. Income-qualified homes can use the Energy Saver Home Loan.
Is there still a federal tax credit for batteries?
No. The 30% federal credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Do I need solar to get paid for a battery?
Not for ConnectedSolutions; a battery can charge from the grid. Solar adds SMART payments for the power your panels make, and a battery paired with solar can earn more.
My town has its own power company. What then?
Mass Save does not cover Municipal Light Plant towns. Check your light plant's website, and ask about the state's MLP Z-Loan.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 3, 2026: MassCEC battery storage, Mass.gov SMART 3.0 details, IRS residential clean energy credit, Mass.gov MLP Z-Loan.