The SMART Program encourages businesses, property owners, and public entities across the Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil territories to install solar and energy storage projects by offering a fixed monthly cash payment for 20 years. SMART is a 3200 megawatt (MW) declining block incentive program featuring generous incentive “adders” for rooftop systems, solar canopies, storage systems, public entities, and low-income offtakers.

With the declining block format, better solar incentives are available in the earlier blocks of the program. Act promptly to make the most of it!

To learn more, explore our brochure on the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program.

Overview: What is the Program About?
This initiative seeks to motivate Massachusetts state agencies and campuses to embrace solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage solutions, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and other decarbonization strategies. The goal is to advance broader statewide climate and sustainability objectives beyond electricity generation.

Funding Information:
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is driving and funding this program with a total allocation of $25 million. Each project can receive up to $2.5 million, including additional eligible funding. Notably, projects situated in Environmental Justice (EJ) communities can benefit from a 10% increase in total funding for solar, storage, EV charging infrastructure, and decarbonization efforts.

Eligibility:
This program is open to executive agencies, state institutions of higher education, or quasi-public state entities. Please refer to the linked webpage for a comprehensive list of eligible Massachusetts state organizations.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted, reviewed, and awarded on a rolling basis until June 30, 2027.

Offsetting Embodied Carbon

Grant recipients must offset the estimated embodied carbon associated with the project, including emissions from producing the solar panels and steel. Embodied carbon, as defined by the EPA, refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the upstream stages of a product’s life cycle, including extraction, production, transportation, and manufacturing.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) 

In accordance with current SMART requirements, solar projects with a capacity of 500 kW AC or greater must evaluate and incorporate battery energy storage, unless such inclusion is deemed impractical due to technical or fiscal issues.

For additional information, please refer to the One-Pager program factsheet.

Contact Solect Energy
To discuss your eligibility and strategize an effective roadmap to leverage the LBE grant for your optimal solar success and return on investment (ROI), reach out to us today!

Why Solect: our differentiators at a glance

Excellence in quality, safety, value, and performance forms Solect’s cornerstones.
Our consistent process delivers outstanding results for our clients.

Assess project site(s) and current and future electric profile

Present analyses and recommendations on financial benefits

Contract, engineer, and
develop

Construct, interconnect,
and commission projects

Optimize your solar ROI
with cutting-edge O&M services

Asset and performance management
and compliance