Commercial and utility energy storage systems in Massachusetts
Which codes apply? In Massachusetts, commercial and utility energy storage systems fall under the 2026 NEC, another model code in place of the IFC, the 2021 IBC, and the 2020 NFPA 855 through the fire code.
Codes that reach commercial and utility energy storage systems
The edition Massachusetts enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.
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NECNational Electrical CodeThe Massachusetts NEC record2026 NECVerified
in force since Apr 24, 2026
Where it reaches the product. Article 706, with 705 for the interconnection.
Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00), 2026 edition · 527 CMR 12.00
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IFCInternational Fire CodeThe Massachusetts IFC recordAnother model codeVerified
Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, section 1207, and the operational permit.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00) · 527 CMR 1.00, ss. 1.04-1.05
The 2024 IFC is proposed.
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IBCInternational Building CodeThe Massachusetts IBC record2021 IBCVerified
in force since Oct 11, 2024
Where it reaches the product. Occupancy, construction type, and separation for the building that holds the system.
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Tenth Edition, Base Volume · 780 CMR (10th Edition Base Volume), s. 101.1
The 2024 IBC is in development.
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NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage SystemsThe Massachusetts NFPA 855 record2020 NFPA 855Verified
in force since May 12, 2023 · Through NFPA 1, chapter 52 · Edition derived from the fire code the state adopts
Where it reaches the product. The whole standard: siting, size and separation, fire control, explosion control, and commissioning.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00) · 527 CMR 1.00, ss. 1.04-1.05, ch. 52; Table 1.12.8.32
Massachusetts laws that name commercial and utility energy storage systems
On the site: 29 laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.
| Law or rule | Kind | Stage | Date | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 527 CMR 1.00 (2024 Edition) | Code amendment | VerifiedPending | Oct 15, 2026 | Proposes moving the state fire code to NFPA 1 (2024 edition) with Massachusetts amendments. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 225 CMR 28.00 | Program rule | PartialIn force | Sep 11, 2026 | Pays solar incentives per kWh; systems of 25 kW AC or less get a flat $0.03 per kWh, or $0.06 for low-income customers. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.5641 | Bill | VerifiedPending | Aug 4, 2026 | Proposes allowing Becket to adopt a six-month moratorium on large-scale solar and battery storage, excluding batteries accessory to individual residential use. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 225 CMR 29.00 | Rule | PartialIn force | Jul 1, 2026 | Requires local governments to accept consolidated permit applications by Oct 1, 2026 for solar under 25 MW and storage under 100 MWh. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| Energy Facilities Siting Board | Agency guidance | PartialIn force | Jul 1, 2026 | Sets baseline standards requiring storage facilities under state siting rules to be Listed to UL 9540, meet UL 9540A testing, and follow NFPA 855. It also requires emergency response plans with local fire officials, hazard signage, and incident reports to the town within one week. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.5175 | Bill | VerifiedPending | Jul 1, 2026 | An earlier House draft, H.5151, proposed a statewide storage incentive program and a state permitting platform for home solar and storage. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.5294 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Jun 8, 2026 | Proposes a temporary moratorium on large ground-mounted solar and battery energy storage systems in the town of Worthington. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 225 CMR 29.00 guideline | Agency guidance | PartialIn force | May 22, 2026 | Sets minimum standards under 225 CMR 29.00 for storage facilities that seek a consolidated local permit. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 980 CMR 13.00 through 17.00 | Rule | PartialIn force | May 20, 2026 | Sets Energy Facilities Siting Board procedures for consolidated permits, state review of local decisions, site suitability analysis, pre-filing engagement, and approval by default. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy | Tariff | PartialIn force | May 1, 2026 | Sets one utility's interconnection rules, including a simplified track for listed inverter systems of 25 kilowatts or less. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 527 CMR 12.00 | Code amendment | PartialIn force | Apr 24, 2026 | Requires installations permitted after Apr 24, 2026 to meet the 2026 National Electrical Code with Massachusetts amendments. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.4685 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Apr 13, 2026 | Proposes barring state approval of any battery storage facility without a vote of the host municipality's governing body, with fines up to $100,000. Proposes a required local public hearing and no state override of a local denial. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.3467 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Apr 6, 2026 | Proposes energy code rules requiring solar on new buildings, plus battery storage on new multifamily and commercial buildings up to six stories. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.4144 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Apr 6, 2026 | Proposes a statewide solar incentive program set by regulation, state clean energy procurement that includes storage, and a state siting and permitting division. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.4689 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Apr 6, 2026 | Proposes barring battery storage facilities within 2,000 feet of populated areas and 3,000 feet of ecologically protected areas. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| H.4690 | Bill | PartialDid not pass | Apr 6, 2026 | Proposes an 18-month moratorium on new permits for lithium battery storage facilities while a state commission studies their risks. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SD.3182 | Bill | VerifiedPending | Apr 1, 2026 | Proposes requiring local approval for permitting battery storage facilities. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| Attorney General decision on the Town of Blandford's solar and battery storage moratorium | Agency guidance | PartialIn force | Mar 11, 2026 | Disapproved the town's temporary moratorium on large ground-mounted solar and battery storage, so it never took effect. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| D.P.U. 25-48 | Commission order | PartialIn force | Feb 10, 2026 | Revised the model interconnection tariff that each utility's own tariff follows. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| SD.3224 | Bill | VerifiedPending | Oct 2, 2025 | Proposes establishing buffer zones for battery storage facilities. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| MassDEP Guidance on Electric Battery Storage and Electric Vehicle Chargers | Agency guidance | PartialIn force | Aug 20, 2025 | Summarizes existing rules, including a fire department permit above 20 kWh, or above 1 kWh at one- and two-family homes, and listing to UL 9540. It says most lithium-ion batteries are hazardous waste that can be managed as universal waste. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| D.P.U. 24-140 through D.P.U. 24-149 | Commission order | PartialIn force | Feb 28, 2025 | Approves, with modifications, the 2025 to 2027 efficiency plans, including an improved demand response program that controls customer batteries and thermostats during system peaks. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| TSRG Common Technical Standards Manual | Agency guidance | PartialIn force | Dec 22, 2022 | Lists utility technical requirements for connecting inverters and storage, such as inverters Listed to UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 trip functions. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| 527 CMR 1.00 (2021 edition) | Code amendment | PartialIn force | Dec 9, 2022 | Adopts NFPA 1 (2021 edition) with Massachusetts amendments as the state fire code. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| St. 2022, c. 179, § 72 | Statute | PartialIn force | Aug 11, 2022 | Under this section, each utility filed a tariff setting operating limits for energy storage connected to its grid. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| St. 2022, c. 179, §§ 13 and 24 | Statute | PartialIn force | Aug 11, 2022 | Allows clean energy matching grants, including for energy storage technologies, to go to municipal colleges and public schools. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| DOER Advancing Massachusetts Power energy storage grant program | Program rule | PartialIn force | – | Funds energy storage through a $47 million state grant program with community resilience, long-duration storage, and safety and education tracks. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| St. 2024, c. 239, § 23 | Statute | PartialIn force | – | Local governments must decide consolidated permits for solar under 25 MW and storage under 100 MWh within 12 months. Source (opens in a new tab) |
| St. 2024, c. 239, § 74 | Statute | PartialIn force | – | Requires large clean energy facilities, including storage of 100 MWh or more, to get one consolidated permit from the Energy Facilities Siting Board. Source (opens in a new tab) |
Every Massachusetts law on commercial and utility energy storage systems, with filters
For information only. Your local building or fire official decides which code applies. We check state records often but can miss a recent change, so confirm with your official before you design, permit, or install. Terms of use