The Whaling City Now Harvests Sunshine
New Bedford ranks among the top solar cities per capita in the continental US — and your home could be next.
See Your SavingsNew Bedford: From Whaling Capital to Solar Leader
New Bedford has always been an energy city. A century ago, it was the whaling capital of the world. Today, it’s one of the top solar cities per capita in the continental United States, with 16.25 MW of solar capacity installed across the city and 10 major solar projects totaling over $53 million in privately financed construction. The city saves $1 million annually from its municipal solar investments alone. Homeowners in Clasky Common, the South End, and Acushnet Heights are following the city’s lead.
With Eversource supply rates hitting 15.6 cents per kWh in February 2026 and total bills around 34 cents per kWh, New Bedford’s SouthCoast residents are paying dearly for grid electricity. Between net metering credits, MREC payments, and the federal solar tax credit, going solar is the logical next step for a city that’s already proven clean energy works.
16MW
City Solar Capacity Installed
$0
Upfront Cost
$1M
City Saves Annually from Solar
Federal Solar Tax Credit for New Bedford Homeowners
New Bedford homeowners served by Eversource benefit from the federal solar tax credit, which provides significant savings on solar installations. Through solar leases and PPAs, the value of this credit is automatically applied to your plan — no tax paperwork required. You just get a lower monthly payment from the start.
In a working-class city like New Bedford, this matters. The federal credit brings solar within reach for homeowners who might otherwise think it’s too expensive. Combined with state and local programs, most New Bedford homeowners pay $0 upfront and less per month than their current Eversource bill.
Massachusetts Incentives on the SouthCoast
New Bedford residents get every Massachusetts solar incentive, and the SouthCoast’s favorable solar conditions make them worth more. The MREC program pays you for every kilowatt-hour your panels generate for 25 years — and New Bedford’s coastal sunshine means strong generation year-round. The property tax exemption protects your home’s increased value, and the 6.25% sales tax exemption saves thousands upfront.
The Mass Solar Loan Program provides low-interest financing for homeowners who prefer to buy. New Bedford also has strong community solar options — important in a city with a mix of single-family homes, multi-unit housing, and historic properties. If your roof isn’t suitable for panels, you can still benefit from solar through a community subscription.
Top Solar City Per Capita
New Bedford ranks among the top solar cities per capita in the continental United States. With 16.25 MW installed and $53 million in solar investment, the city has proven that solar works — and your home is the next logical step.
Eversource Net Metering on the SouthCoast
Eversource offers net metering for all residential solar customers in New Bedford. When your panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the excess flows back to the grid and you earn credits on your Eversource bill. Those credits offset your usage during cloudy days, evenings, and winter months.
New Bedford’s coastal location means solid sun exposure year-round, and net metering lets you bank your peak summer production to cover winter shortfalls. It’s like using the Eversource grid as a free battery — no $10,000 home storage system required. Credits roll over month to month, keeping your bill consistently low.
New Bedford’s Solar Track Record
Property Tax Exemption
Solar adds value to your New Bedford home without raising your property taxes. That’s tax-free equity in your biggest asset.
Coastal Sun Advantage
New Bedford’s SouthCoast location means strong solar generation year-round, maximizing your net metering credits and MREC income.
Proven City Investment
New Bedford saves $1M annually from municipal solar. The same technology on your roof delivers the same kind of savings.
NB Resilient Plan
The city’s climate action plan supports residential solar as a cornerstone of New Bedford’s clean energy future.
What Solar Saves a New Bedford Homeowner
A typical New Bedford home uses about 9,200 kWh per year. At Eversource’s current all-in rate of roughly 34 cents per kWh, that’s about $261 per month. With solar, you can go $0 upfront and pay approximately 40% less — around $157 per month — while generating your own clean energy. All federal, state, and local incentives are already factored in.
Over 25 years, the combined savings from lower monthly payments, MREC credits, and avoided Eversource rate increases can total $40,000 or more for a typical New Bedford home. With Eversource supply rates jumping 5% in just the first half of 2026, solar protects you from the rate increases that hit SouthCoast households hardest.
How It Works
Free Consultation
We evaluate your New Bedford home, energy usage, and roof to design the right solar system for SouthCoast conditions.
Custom System Design
Our engineers create a panel layout optimized for your roof, factoring in New Bedford’s coastal sun exposure and local building codes.
Permitting & Approvals
We handle all New Bedford building permits, Eversource interconnection paperwork, and any historic district approvals needed for older neighborhoods.
Professional Installation
Our certified installers mount your solar system, typically completing the job in one to two days.
Inspection & Activation
After passing New Bedford city inspection and receiving Eversource permission to operate, your system goes live and starts generating savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
✶Why is New Bedford considered a top solar city?+
✶Does Eversource offer net metering in New Bedford?+
✶How does New Bedford’s coastal location affect solar?+
✶Can I go solar on a historic home in New Bedford?+
✶What is the NB Resilient plan?+
✶How much can New Bedford homeowners save with solar?+
Eversource SouthCoast Bills Are Rising Fast
Eversource supply rates jumped 5% in early 2026 alone. New Bedford’s already proven solar works — now it’s your turn.
See How Much You Can SaveWhat’s Really on Your Eversource Bill?
57% of your bill is hidden fees and charges!
Delivery Charges
Hidden fees like the "customer charge" and "energy efficiency charge" make up a large portion of your Eversource SouthCoast bill.
17%
of your bill
Distribution
Covers the poles, wires, and infrastructure that deliver power to your New Bedford home from the main distribution line.
27%
of your bill
Transmission
What Eversource charges for transporting power from generating stations to New Bedford’s local distribution network.
13%
of your bill
Actual Supply
The electricity you actually use—just 43% of what you pay.
43%
of your bill
Solar Eliminates All These Charges
When you go solar, you no longer rely on the utility company to produce electricity—and no longer have to pay their ridiculous charges. Instead, you produce your own power with a low, locked-in solar rate.
Eliminate Your Electric Bill TodayIs Solar Really Free in New Bedford?
While you can’t technically get “free” solar panels, they are “free” in the sense that you can expect to pay less for solar than you already do for electricity — and it costs nothing to make the switch.
You’re swapping out an unpredictable Eversource bill for a price-protected solar payment that is usually about 40% lower. New Bedford’s city government did the same math and is saving $1 million a year.
Need a New Roof? Bundle and Save.
Our Roof + Solar Bundle makes it easy for New Bedford homeowners to get a new roof and solar at the same time. Many SouthCoast homes have older roofs that benefit from a bundle approach.
Learn About Roof + SolarJoin New Bedford’s Solar Leadership
Get a free personalized quote and see how much you can save with solar in New Bedford. Our team handles everything from permits to Eversource activation.
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