Solar Loan Pilot Program

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The Boston Home Center’s new Solar Loan Pilot Program is designed to assist 20 eligible households in Boston with the costs of installing residential solar panel systems. This pilot program provides a 0% interest loan of up to $25,000 specifically for the installation of rooftop solar panels. Under the terms of the pilot, the loan is fully forgiven provided that the homeowner maintains continuous owner-occupancy of their property for 20 years.

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About the Solar Loan Pilot Program

The BHC Solar Loan Pilot Program helps income-eligible Boston homeowners install rooftop solar panel systems on owner-occupied 1–4 family homes. The loan can be used on its own or paired with other Boston Home Center loans — for example, to replace an aging roof before installing solar.

A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Boston costs approximately $22,500–$25,500 installed. The $25,000 loan cap covers nearly the full cost for most eligible homes.

Loan amount	Up to $25,000
Interest rate	0% deferred
Term	Only due at sale, transfer or refinance of the property. Fully forgiven after 20 years of continuous owner-occupancy. Due in full if the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred before 20 years.
Eligible property	Owner-occupied 1–4 family homes in Boston
How to use it	Stand-alone, or paired with other Boston Home Center loans

Who is eligible?

To participate in the BHC Solar Loan Pilot Program, homeowners must:

Own and occupy a 1–4 family home in Boston.
Have an annual household income at or below 135% Area Median Income (AMI)
Have less than $100,000 in financial assets — including cash, equity in non-primary real estate, and investment funds. Equity in your primary residence, government-approved retirement funds, and college savings plans are excluded.
Not have received home repair financial assistance from any City of Boston Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) program within the past 10 years.
Be current on City accounts, including property taxes, mortgage payments, and water bills.
Meet the roof requirements (see below).

Match requirement: Homeowners with annual household income between 120% and 135% AMI must match the City-funded loan 1:1 with their own funds or external financing.

Roof Requirements

A rooftop solar system is designed to last 25 years or more, so your roof needs to be in good condition before installation.

ROOF AGE AND ELIGIBILITY

Less than 5 years old: eligible to participate.
Between 5 and 15 years old: eligible with a roof inspection and sign-off (this is a standard part of any solar assessment).
Older than 15 years or in poor condition: you may bundle the Solar Loan Pilot Program with a Boston Home Center Home Repair Loan to finance roof replacement first.

How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria above. If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact the Boston Home Center at 617-635-4663 or homecenter@boston.gov.

2. Get contractor estimates

Obtain estimates from at least two licensed and insured solar installers. Boston Home Center staff can help you understand what to ask for and what each estimate should include.

3. Gather your documents

You will need to submit the following with your application:

A completed BHC Solar Loan Pilot Program application.
Two contractor estimates for the proposed solar installation.
Income documentation for all household members (recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements).
Documentation of household financial assets.
Proof that you are current on property taxes, mortgage, and water bills.
A recent roof inspection (if your roof is between 5 and 15 years old).

4. Submit your application

Submit your completed application and supporting documents to the Boston Home Center. Staff will review your application, verify your income and eligibility, and confirm the project scope.

5. Close on your loan

Once approved, you will sign the loan documents and the BHC will release funds in coordination with your solar installer. Installation can begin once financing is in place and the project has received all necessary permits from the City.

Permitting Your Solar Project

Homeowners will need to receive building and electrical permits from the Inspectional Services Department before any installation work can start on site. The type of permit required for solar panel installation is based on system size (kWh) and building type. Your contractor may apply for permits on your behalf. Learn more here.

How does solar lower your energy costs?

Rooftop solar panels turn sunlight into electricity that powers.

Here's how that lowers your monthly bill:

Your panels make electricity during the day. That power flows directly into your home, so whatever you're using — lights, appliances, heat pumps, hot water— is met by your own solar first, before any electricity is pulled from your provider.
Extra electricity flows back to the grid. When your panels make more than your home is using, the extra goes through your meter to the grid. Through net metering, you receive a credit on your electric bill at the same rate you'd pay for that electricity.
At night or on cloudy days, you draw from the grid as usual. Your home stays connected to the grid. You use grid power when your panels aren't producing, and the credits you built up help cover that usage.
Your monthly bill drops. Your electric bill reflects the difference between what your home used from the grid and what your panels sent back. For many Boston homeowners solar power can offset a significant share of their electricity costs.

A typical 7 kW Boston rooftop system generates roughly 8,000–9,000 kWh per year — enough to cover much of a home's electricity use.

Your installer will provide a specific estimate based on your roof orientation, shading, and household needs.

Questions?

Mayor’s Office of Housing staff are available to answer questions and support you throughout the process.

Reach out to us at homecenter@boston.gov or call 617-635-4663 to have someone reach out to you.

Who's Involved:

Housing

617-635-3880