How to Apply
Applicants can review the Application and Claim Checklist which details all of the documentation required for small and large applications.
SMART Program Application - National Grid
Program Regulations
On August 28th, 2025, DOER filed final regulations for the SMART 3.0 Program with the Secretary of State's Office, under 225 CMR 28.00. (See summary of program changes.) DOER also made a single redline edit to the existing regulation, 225 CMR 20.00. The revised version of these regulations became effective upon publication in the Massachusetts Register on September 12, 2025.
DOER further updated 225 CMR 28.00 to align with Secretary of State formatting requirements. The updates modify the citations for certain provisions but do not make any substantive changes from the version published on DOER’s website on August 29, 2025.
Annual Capacity and Rates
Per program regulations, DOER will publish an Annual Report with details on available capacity, set asides, and incentive rates for the applicable Program Year. After the first Program Year, each subsequent Program Year will accept applications from January 1 through December 31 of the applicable year.
Program Year 2026
On October 1st, DOER published the Draft Program Year 2026 Annual Report. DOER will accept public comments on the draft report until 5:00 PM on October 31, 2025. Comments should be submitted as a PDF file to DOER.SMART@mass.gov with the email subject line “PY26 Annual Report Public Comment.”
Below are the accompanying files from the Program Year 2026 Annual SMART Program Assessment:
Program Year 2025
On August 29th, 2025, DOER published the Program Year 2025 Annual Report. DOER will begin accepting applications for the first Program Year on October 15, 2025.
Per 225 CMR 28.05(3)(a), Program Year 2025 will have 900 MW AC of available capacity for STGUs subject to the capacity cap.
Program Year 2025 Flat Incentive Rates
Program Year 2025 Base Compensation Rates
Program Year 2025 Adder Rates
Draft Program Guidelines
DOER will post draft guidelines and materials for SMART 3.0 here on a rolling basis. Drafts are available for public comment for 21 calendar days after the posted date.
Comments should be submitted as a PDF file to DOER.SMART@mass.gov with the email subject line “SMART 3.0 [Guideline Title] Public Comment.”
- Guideline on Energy Storage - posted 09/24/25
- Statement of Qualification Reservation Period Guideline - posted 09/24/25
- Guideline Regarding the Definition of Dual-use Agricultural STGUs - posted 09/24/25
- Guideline Regarding Land Use, Siting, and Project Segmentation - posted 09/24/25
- Guideline on Consumer Protection - posted 09/24/25
- Guideline on Base Compensation Rates, Compensation Rate Adders, and Annual Assessment - posted 09/25/25
- Guideline Regarding Community Shared Solar Tariff Generation Units - posted 10/09/25
- Guideline Regarding Low Income Generation Units - posted 10/09/25
- Customer Disclosure Forms:
- Community Shared Solar Customer Disclosure Form - posted 09/24/25
- Residential Third Party Ownership Customer Disclosure Form - posted 09/24/25
- Residential Direct Ownership Customer Disclosure Form - posted 09/24/25
- Miscellaneous:
- Dual-use Agricultural STGU Pre-Determination Form - posted 09/24/25
- Program Year 2025 Energy Storage Adder Calculator - posted 09/24/25
- Dual-use Agricultural STGU Annual Report Template - posted 10/09/25
- Low Income Customer Self-Attestation Form - posted 10/09/25
*Projects in SMART 2.0 will still be subject to the Program Guidelines established for SMART 2.0, which can be found on the respective program page: SMART 1.0 & 2.0 Program Details.
Requests for Extensions and Exceptions
Information on how to submit a request for an exception or an extension under the SMART Program can be found on the Requests for Extensions and Exceptions page.
Program Compliance and Audits
Each year, the Department undertakes compliance checks to ensure that program participants are remaining in compliance with the SMART regulations and guidelines. More detailed information can be found on the SMART Compliance Reports and Audits page.