Solar energy plays an important role in increasing the amount of renewables in the energy mix across our system.

We're committed to supporting large solar projects and facilities across our three states, and to providing incentives and development support for customers to install their own solar projects at home.

To date, more than 130,000 Eversource customers have installed more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of customer-sited solar. 

Massachusetts Solar

We work closely with the Department of Energy Resources to support the implementation of the state’s primary solar incentive initiative, the SMART program. Through this program, we expect 3,200 MW of new solar to be developed in Massachusetts in the next several years.

We also currently own and operate 22 solar facilities in Massachusetts, which collectively produce 70 MW of generation, enough to power more than 11,000 homes.

New legislation allows us to partner with the communities we serve to expand utility solar ownership opportunities for both electric and gas customers.

As an initial step, we have proposed three projects to construct parking canopy solar generation at our area work centers in Brockton, Lawrence and Yarmouth, for a total of 5 MW of additional solar capacity. If approved, these projects will improve community climate resilience and contribute clean power to the regional electric grid during periods of peak demand.

Connecticut Solar

We operate three clean energy programs in Connecticut.

The Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program (RRES) and the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program (NRES) were launched in 2022 to provide incentives for customers to install onsite renewable energy generation along with optional storage. We expect 488 MW of new solar projects to be developed through the RRES program over the next several years.

In 2023 we will begin enrolling Connecticut customers in the Shared Clean Energy Facilities program, through which we will purchase energy from up to 180 MW of new renewable generating facilities and deliver bill credits generated by these projects to participants for up to 20 years. This program is focused on serving historically disadvantaged populations and eliminates traditional barriers to accessing solar energy for qualifying customers. 

New Hampshire Solar

In July 2022, the New Hampshire legislature established a low-to-moderate-income community solar program. We will be partnering with the New Hampshire Department of Energy to identify and enroll low-income customers participating in the electric assistance program into the community solar projects. Participating customers will receive a monthly solar bill credit for up to 20 years at no cost to them.