If National Grid is your electric utility, there are a few program specifics worth understanding before you sign a solar contract. This page covers how National Grid describes net metering, how SMART and ConnectedSolutions fit in, and what to ask your installer about interconnection. It is general information, not an estimate of your bill or savings; those depend on your usage, system size and the proposal in front of you.
Net metering with National Grid
National Grid’s own page describes net metering as exporting your excess solar electricity to the grid “in exchange for credits that are nearly equal to retail rates” on your bill, consistent with the statewide net metering requirement the Department of Public Utilities sets for Massachusetts investor-owned utilities. See Massachusetts net metering: how solar credits affect your bill for a fuller explanation, and the Massachusetts solar incentives page for the state-level regulatory picture, including the currently open DPU review that touches on net metering credit value.
SMART for National Grid customers
National Grid’s own materials confirm that SMART 3.0, the 2025 update to the state’s SMART production incentive, introduces annual changes to incentive values, capacity set-asides and mitigation fees. National Grid is one of the three investor-owned utilities eligible for SMART. Because SMART rates adjust annually, ask your installer to show you the Department of Energy Resources’ current published rate for your system size rather than relying on an older figure; see the Massachusetts solar incentives page for how the program works and who applies.
ConnectedSolutions for National Grid customers
If you add a battery, National Grid is one of three eligible sponsor utilities, alongside Cape Light Compact and Eversource, for Mass Save’s ConnectedSolutions program. This is a separate, opt-in, performance-based payment, currently calculated at roughly $275 per kilowatt of your battery’s average contribution during a limited number of summer peak events (generally June through September), not a flat guaranteed amount and not something that happens automatically when you install a battery. See solar batteries in Massachusetts: backup power and ConnectedSolutions for enrollment detail.
Interconnection: what to ask about the process
Like other Massachusetts investor-owned utilities, National Grid requires an interconnection application before a residential solar system can be connected to the grid, generally submitted by your installer on your behalf. Procedures and review times can vary by system size and local grid conditions, so ask your installer for a written, project-specific timeline rather than a general estimate, and confirm with National Grid directly if you have concerns about your specific circuit or neighborhood.
What to ask your installer
- What is the Department of Energy Resources’ current published SMART rate for my system size, and when was it last updated?
- Can you show me National Grid’s current net metering terms in writing, not just a summary?
- If I add a battery, will you walk me through ConnectedSolutions enrollment separately from the installation?
- What interconnection steps apply to my system, and what is a realistic timeline for my specific location?
When this last changed
SMART 3.0 took effect in 2025 with incentive values adjusted annually going forward. The Department of Public Utilities’ broader delivery-charge and bill-redesign review (D.P.U. 25-200), discussed on the Massachusetts solar incentives page, remains open as of this writing. Confirm current terms directly with National Grid or your installer before signing a contract.
Common questions
Is National Grid’s net metering credit exactly 100 percent of the retail rate?
National Grid describes it as “nearly equal to retail rates,” not necessarily exactly 100 percent in every case. Ask for your specific bill structure.
Do I automatically get paid for ConnectedSolutions if I buy a battery from National Grid’s service area?
No. Enrollment requires a qualifying battery and sign-up through your battery manufacturer’s own platform; it is not automatic at installation.
Does SolarSiteIQ work with National Grid directly?
No. SolarSiteIQ is an independent service that connects homeowners with a local installer. We do not administer National Grid’s programs or guarantee any credit, rebate, or approval timeline.
What if I am not sure which utility I have?
Check a recent electric bill. If you are not served by National Grid, see our Eversource page or confirm your provider’s own terms if it is a municipal light plant.
How do I get started?
Request a free, no-obligation assessment and SolarSiteIQ will connect you with one qualified local installer who can confirm current National Grid terms for your property. Start at /solar-step-1/.
Ready to see what applies to your home? Start your free assessment and SolarSiteIQ will connect you with one qualified local installer, no obligation.
