Massachusetts SMART: compensation, adders and BERDO considerations.
SMART 3.0 supports eligible solar generation, with project-specific compensation and adders. Any Boston BERDO benefit must be assessed separately against the city's accounting rules and environmental-attribute rights.
The rule in one paragraph
SMART 3.0 operates in participating Eversource, National Grid and Unitil territories. DOER publishes annual capacity and compensation schedules; project size, siting, offtake and eligible adders affect the applicable rate.
SMART 3.0 is the framework for new projects, with annual capacity and compensation schedules published per program year (PY2026 is current). Projects registered under SMART 1.0 or 2.0 retain the legacy rules applicable to them. Rates depend on the utility, project size, siting, customer type and any adders the project is eligible for.
Primary source: Mass.gov — SMART 3.0 program details.
Who it applies to
Commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily properties in participating Massachusetts utility territories, subject to current program capacity and eligibility.
Adder eligibility depends on project type, siting category and offtake arrangement; confirm current program capacity and adder eligibility at application.
What it costs / what it pays
The tariff pays per kWh over the program term. There is no automatic storage adder: paired-storage eligibility and value are confirmed against the current program-year schedule for the specific project.
Together with the federal credit, SMART is often what decides whether a Massachusetts rooftop clears a financing threshold. Federal credit value depends on the project, ownership, construction dates and eligibility requirements.
How NOI's structure fits
We build solar and storage together where the schedule, the adder eligibility and the demand charge all support it. Whether a program attribute sold under SMART also supports a BERDO position is a separate question we check rather than assume.
For a Boston owner, assess potential cost savings and compliance benefits separately. Upfront costs depend on the funding structure chosen.
Timeline
- QualificationBill and rate review; program-year schedule and adder eligibility check.
- Design reviewSite walk, roof and electrical assessment.
- ApplicationsSMART application and interconnection filing.
- After approvalsConstruction, commissioning and eligible receipts follow utility approval, program qualification and the project agreement.
Get your free building energy assessment
Start with your property details. A utility bill is optional. We review the program position and the operating case together.
Other programs in this section
Annual emissions limits on most NYC buildings over 25,000 sq ft, tightening in 2030.
ComplianceBoston's building emissions standard, with annual reporting and emissions limits phased in by building size.
ComplianceWashington DC's Building Energy Performance Standards, enforced on cycles with compliance pathways.
IncentiveNYSERDA's declining-block incentives for commercial and industrial solar across New York.
IncentiveNew Jersey's Successor Solar Incentive, community solar program, and what changed after TRECs.
IncentiveConnecticut's non-residential renewable energy solutions tariff plus Energy Storage Solutions incentives.
IncentiveAlternative Energy Credits, PPL and PECO rebate programs, and the Act 129 efficiency framework.
IncentiveThe clean electricity investment credit for solar and storage, elective pay and transfer, and which credits have ended.
IncentiveUtility pay-for-performance for commercial batteries that discharge during summer peak events.
IncentiveCommercial-scale solar grants per watt, with carport and storage adders, awarded in rounds.
IncentiveLong-term financing for energy upgrades, repaid through a property assessment.
IncentiveCalifornia's storage incentive: non-residential budget categories are currently closed.
IncentiveRebates for public DC fast chargers in California, in two 2026-27 windows.
This page reflects our understanding as of September 18, 2026. Regulatory numbers and program rules move. Confirm current statute specifics with your tax and legal advisors before signature.