National Grid US Solar Program Overview

National Grid US (National Grid) is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the US and has been around for 30 years. Part of the London-based National Grid Group, it provides service to about 20 million people in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It does not generate electricity, purchasing the energy it distributes from other generation facilities that use nuclear, wind, hydroelectric, oil, natural gas, biologic, landfill and solar sources.

National Grid US supports many solar customers (and more every day!) who are connected to the energy grid. Customers can also purchase clean electricity, sometimes including solar-generated energy when they enroll and pay extra for the GreenUp plan. In the long run, installing your own home solar system is a less costly option, especially when you take advantage of existing solar rebates and incentives from state and federal governments.

How the National Grid US Solar Program Works

Solar energy generated from your own solar panel system can be used to power your home, store energy in a home battery, or sell the power back to the electricity grid. To power your home, you need a solar system and sunlight. To store energy for future use (like at night), you need a special home battery. To sell power back to the grid, you need a two-way system and a meter that is hooked up to the utility grid. These function together to send energy back to the grid and offset your electric bill, a program which is called net metering, Net Energy Metering or NEM.

National Grid US offers net metering almost everywhere. There is an online tool for checking the validity of your location, and EnergyPal can help you determine if your home is applicable. The energy you sell back to National Grid US is purchased at rates set by your state and is typically somewhat less than what you pay for your retail electricity. This amount you sell back to National Grid US becomes a credit and goes against the cost of retail electricity you use when you cannot supply yourself with enough solar energy.

Overall, you can offset your monthly electric bill to near zero! If you produce more electricity than you consume, the energy credit in kWh (kilowatt-hours) goes towards your next month’s bill. After a 12-month period, you are compensated for any surplus accumulated energy credit in dollars applied towards next year’s bill. However, credits do not apply to basic charges or taxes. EnergyPal will help you size and configure your solar and home battery system appropriately to ensure you maximize your financial savings and energy independence.

Becoming a National Grid US Solar Customer

In addition to reducing fossil fuel consumption and diminishing your carbon footprint, you can reduce your monthly bill, improve the resale value of your home and avoid power loss during outages with your own solar (or solar-battery) system. EnergyPal will help you follow these steps:

  1. Download your National Grid US bill information on your annual usage.
  2. Assess the solar potential for your home, and analyze your roof.
  3. Compare quotes for solar panel systems and finance options.
  4. Prepare the interconnection application, and sign documentation.
  5. Install your solar system using qualified workers.
  6. Pass inspection with local inspectors and National Grid US.
  7. National Grid US will install a new meter so you can get credit for generating your own power!

Upfront National Grid US Solar Incentives

There are multiple incentive programs available to reduce the upfront costs associated with solar system installations. Most are state based. Massachusetts residents can take advantage of the:

  • Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. This program pays home and business owners who install solar and solar-battery systems a certain rate per kWh produced. The rates are guaranteed for 10 years. Enrollment is limited.
  • Mass Save HEAT loan. This is an interest-free loan available to Massachusetts residents to fund purchase and installation of home batteries.
  • MASS Solar Loan. This program provides incentives in the form of interest rate buydowns, loan loss reserves and direct loan support for Massachusetts residents who qualify (income-based).
  • Massachusetts residents can qualify for income tax credits up to the lesser of either $1000 or 15% of project costs.
  • ConnectedSolutions Demand Response program. This program pays Massachusetts residents who allow National Grid US to use the energy they store in a home battery for three hour increments between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Residents are notified in advance, and use will not occur during severe weather.
  • Mass Save HEAT loan. This is an interest-free loan available to Massachusetts residents to fund purchase and installation of home batteries.

New York residents can take advantage of the:

  • Megawatt Block Incentive. This incentive is a per-watt amount paid to new solar panel system customers. The amount paid (up to $1 per W) depends on how much solar is already being utilized in your area. Enrollment is limited.
  • New York State solar tax credit. You can reduce your state tax payment by $5,000 or 25% of what you spent on a solar system. If your tax liability is too low this year, you can even roll it over into next year.
  • Rooftop Solarize campaigns. Home and business owners in the same area who get together and all install solar can get special group rates on equipment and installation.
  • ConnectedSolutions Demand Response program. This program pays New York residents who allow National Grid US to use the energy they store in a home battery for three hour increments between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Residents are notified in advance, and use will not occur during severe weather.

Rhode Island residents can take advantage of the:

  • Renewable Energy Growth (RE Growth) Program. This program pays a per-kWh benefit to homeowners who install solar systems. Rates do not change and are valid for a 15 or 20 year term. Initially, payment must go towards your electric bill, but anything above what you owe is paid out in cash. Enrollment starts April 1 (every year) and is limited.
  • SolarWise Bonus Incentive. You can earn an extra 5% on top of your standard RE Growth incentive if you also reduce your electricity consumption by at least 15%. Reduction measures can include things like electrical appliance upgrades and winterization upgrades. If you also reduce your usage by at least 400kWh per year, you qualify for a second 5% bonus, for a total of 10% on top of your baseline RE Growth program payment.
  • ConnectedSolutions Demand Response program. This program pays Rhode Island residents who allow National Grid US to use the energy they store in a home battery for three hour increments between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Residents are notified in advance, and use will not occur during severe weather.
  • Sales tax incentive. Rhode Island residents do not have to pay sales tax on solar systems.

EnergyPal is available to help you navigate National Grid US bills and the National Grid US solar program requirements and steps for installing solar. Start by requesting a quote, and we’ll help you through the whole process so you get the right system at the right price and offset your National Grid US electric bill.

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