Solar with Unitil in Massachusetts
If Unitil is your electric utility, here's exactly how solar, net metering, and SMART work for your account in 2026 — plus the interconnection basics.
Unitil is one of the three investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts, serving the Fitchburg area of north-central Massachusetts. That matters for solar, because the three regulated utilities — Unitil included — are required to support full retail-rate net metering and participate in the SMART program. That's what makes solar economics strong for Unitil customers.
Net metering as a Unitil customer
When your panels produce more than your home uses, Unitil credits the excess to your account at the full retail rate — about 31.5¢/kWh as of April 2026 — and those credits roll over month to month. Because Massachusetts electricity rates are among the highest in the nation, that credit is worth more here than in most states. Full net metering details here.
SMART enrollment through Unitil
Unitil customers qualify for SMART production payments of roughly $0.03/kWh for 20 years. Your installer submits the SMART application and the interconnection paperwork to Unitil on your behalf as part of the install process. Unitil is the smallest of the three investor-owned utilities, covering the Fitchburg area, but offers the same net metering and SMART access.
The Massachusetts DPU is reviewing possible net metering changes (docket 25-200). Interconnecting sooner generally grandfathers your system at current rates. And remember — the federal tax credit expired at the end of 2025, so any quote showing it for a 2026 purchase is outdated.
Interconnection basics
Interconnection is the process of formally connecting your solar system to the Unitil grid so you can export power and earn net metering credits. For most residential systems (inverters under 25 kW), it's a standard process your installer manages. Once approved, your net metering and SMART benefits begin. We'll make sure any installer we connect you with handles all Unitil paperwork correctly.
What to expect from the Unitil interconnection process
For Unitil residential customers in the Fitchburg area, connecting a solar system follows the same standardized path as the larger utilities, managed by your installer. After your system is designed, your installer submits the interconnection application to Unitil along with the SMART paperwork. Unitil reviews it to confirm the system meets technical requirements, and once approved, your net metering begins and your SMART payment term can start. Although Unitil is the smallest of the three investor-owned utilities, its customers receive the same net metering and SMART access as everyone else in the state.
Getting the most value as a Unitil customer
To maximize your solar value on Unitil, size your system to your actual usage so you capture the full benefit of net metering. Confirm your installer enrolls you in SMART and handles the Unitil interconnection correctly. Consider whether a battery makes sense given the ConnectedSolutions income available. And given the ongoing state review of net metering, interconnecting sooner generally locks in today's more favorable credit terms for the long term. Because Unitil serves a smaller territory, it can be worth confirming your installer has direct experience with Unitil's specific process.
Why the utility matters less than you might think
A reassuring point for Unitil customers: because all three regulated Massachusetts utilities must offer full retail net metering and participate in SMART, your core solar economics are broadly similar to those of Eversource or National Grid customers. The differences are mostly in process and timeline, not in the fundamental value of going solar. What matters most is a quality installer, a properly sized system, and a quote built on honest 2026 numbers — exactly what we help you get.