The cost of solar panels in Chelsea, MA (2024)

Updated Dec 17, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $16,554 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Chelsea, MA, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

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Written by: Emily Walker

As of December 2024, the average solar panel system costs $3.31/W including installation in Chelsea, MA. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $16,554 before incentives, though prices range from $14,071 to $19,037. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Chelsea, MA

Good Price
$14,071 or less
Market Average
$16,554
High Price
$19,037 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Chelsea, MA state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $16,554 in Chelsea, MA, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Chelsea, MA

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$9,933$6,953
4 kW$13,243$9,270
5 kW$16,554$11,588
6 kW$19,865$13,906
7 kW$23,176$16,223
8 kW$26,487$18,541
9 kW$29,798$20,858
10 kW$33,109$23,176

Are solar panels worth it in Chelsea, MA?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Chelsea, MA. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $171,038 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Chelsea, MA. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

Payback Period
5.46 Years
25-Year Savings
$171,038
Cost-per-Watt
$3.31

If you can't shell out $16,554 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

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The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in MA, here are some popular suggestions:

  • All Energy Solar
    Westfield, MA
    Established 2009
    Elite+ Installer
    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O...
  • NuWatt Energy
    Woburn, MA
    Established 2010
    Elite+ Installer
    At NuWatt Energy, we strive to empower our clients by offering genuine energy independence and enhanced efficienc...
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified

    At NuWatt Energy, we strive to empower our clients by offering genuine energy independence and enhanced efficienc...
  • Viridis Energy Solutions
    Woburn, MA
    Established 2016
    Elite Installer
    There is no denying that solar is making a huge difference for our customers! Be it the financial benefits, envir...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    30 Reviews

    There is no denying that solar is making a huge difference for our customers! Be it the financial benefits, envir...
  • Brightway Energy
    Somerville, MA
    Elite Installer
    Brightway Energy is comprised of a small, experienced team that takes pride in serving the communities of Massach...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    26 Reviews

    Brightway Energy is comprised of a small, experienced team that takes pride in serving the communities of Massach...
  • PlugPV
    Charlton, MA
    Established 2017
    Elite Installer
    Your Sun, Your Power, Your Way. We want you to save money on your electric bill, and we think going solar should...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Your Sun, Your Power, Your Way. We want you to save money on your electric bill, and we think going solar should...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Chelsea, MA.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Chelsea, MA. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

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