Massachusetts
Grade distribution
Overview
Massachusetts has 14 counties tracked in the SitePath solar permitting index. 11 (79%) are graded A or B, meaning they present low to moderate permitting risk for utility-scale solar projects. 3 counties sit in the C range — moderate risk with meaningful process uncertainty.
The most favorable jurisdictions in Massachusetts include Hampden County (grade B), Barnstable County (grade B), Suffolk County (grade B). The most challenging include Hampshire County (grade C), Bristol County (grade C), Dukes County (grade C).
Massachusetts's RPS framework (RPS 40% by 2030) has a mixed effect on local solar permitting: state incentives can accelerate projects, but county boards often act independently of state policy direction. No Massachusetts counties currently have an active utility-scale solar moratorium.
All counties — sorted by risk score (best first)
| County | Grade | Score | Trajectory | Moratorium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden County | B | 32 | — | |
| Barnstable County | B | 35 | — | |
| Suffolk County | B | 36 | ↑ | |
| Worcester County | B | 36 | — | |
| Nantucket County | B | 38 | — | |
| Berkshire County | B | 40 | — | |
| Franklin County | B | 40 | ↓ | |
| Essex County | B | 41 | ↓ | |
| Middlesex County | B | 41 | — | |
| Norfolk County | B | 41 | — | |
| Plymouth County | B | 42 | ↓ | |
| Hampshire County | C | 42 | ↓ | |
| Bristol County | C | 42 | — | |
| Dukes County | C | 45 | ↓ |
See the full interactive map
County grades, scores, and ordinance data are also available on the interactive county map with filtering by grade, state, and risk factor.
Open the county map →About SitePath scoring
Every U.S. county is scored 0–100 on solar permitting risk (lower is friendlier to development). The grade is a weighted composite of compliance stringency, market saturation, regulatory trajectory, and data uncertainty. Every figure traces back to a primary government document. Read the full methodology →
SitePath Intelligence is a research platform. Data verified as of 2026-05-02. Scores update on a quarterly review cycle.