Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program (SMART)

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program is the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources' (DOER) incentive program for solar development in Massachusetts. SMART 3.0, under regulation 225 CMR 28.00, is the current version of the program. The SMART Program is a 3,200 MW declining block incentive program. Eligible projects must be interconnected by one of three participating utilities — Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil — with projects up to 5 MW per project. DOER began accepting SMART 3.0 applications for Program Year 2026 on January 1, 2026.

• Owners of solar photovoltaic generating units serving residential, commercial, governmental, or industrial electricity customers in Massachusetts.

• The system must be interconnected with the electric grid in Massachusetts.

• The system must be interconnected by one of the three participating investor-owned utilities: Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil.

• The applicant or system owner does not need to be based in Massachusetts.

• The system must use solar photovoltaic technology.

• The system's capacity must be 5,000 kW AC or less.

• The system must not already hold an active Statement of Qualification under the earlier SMART regulation (225 CMR 20.00) or the RPS Class I regulation (225 CMR 14.00).

• Significant on-site physical construction must not have begun before June 20, 2025 (Low Income Property systems excepted).

• To qualify as a Dual-use Agricultural unit, the system must be sited on Land in Agricultural Use, Important Agricultural Farmland, Fallow Farmland, or Newly Created Farmland.

• Land in Agricultural Use means land defined under M.G.L. c. 61A or enrolled in a c. 61A program within the past five years.

• Important Agricultural Farmland means soils classed as prime farmland, unique farmland, or land of statewide importance under 7 C.F.R. 657.5.

• Fallow Farmland means open arable land not cultivated or used in agriculture for one to five years before the pre-determination application.

• A Dual-use Agricultural unit must allow the continued use of the land for agriculture.

• Newly Created Farmland must demonstrate viable agricultural production when the pre-determination application is submitted.

• Newly Created Farmland may not result from clearing or converting forest land.

• A Dual-use Agricultural unit's DC capacity may not exceed twice its AC capacity or 7,500 kW DC.

• Dual-use Agricultural units must obtain a Pre-Determination Letter from DOER, issued in consultation with MDAR.

Extensive Regulations can be found here.

Apply directly to your Utility by starting here.

• FAQs

• Information about co-locating active agriculture with Solar Generation.