Wellesley Light Board Votes to Expand Solar Rebates to Large Businesses

Municiple Light Board · Meeting of August 19, 2026

Wellesley Light Board opens solar rebates to large businesses as federal credits lapse. The board voted unanimously to add a large-commercial rebate tier capped at $30,000, raise the residential and small-commercial cap to $15,000 from $12,000, and widen net-metering eligibility to 20 kilowatts AC from 15 for homes and small businesses. Staffer Chris said applications have fallen to one or two so far this year from 14 in 2025 as the residential federal tax credit expired at the end of 2025; the commercial credit, worth 30 percent, runs through the end of 2027.

Chair Ned Hall said the board should "show leadership" rather than just match neighboring utilities, given Wellesley's low solar penetration. The changes were spurred partly by the Maugus Club's interest in a 40-kilowatt rooftop system. Roughly $50,000 remains in the utility's $250,000 rebate fund.

The board separately endorsed Marco Gotti, recommended by an interview subcommittee, to fill an open board seat, sending the pick to the Select Board.

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Source: the Municiple Light Board meeting of August 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.