SGE Solar (Second Generation Energy)

SGE Solar — short for Second Generation Energy — has been helping Massachusetts homeowners go solar since 2008, making them one of the longest-tenured independent solar installers in New England. Founded by Matthew Sorrentino and headquartered in Milford, MA, this family-owned company of 14 employees has quietly built a reputation on quality equipment, certified craftsmanship, and the kind of personalized service that larger national chains rarely match. In 17 years of operation, SGE Solar has installed more than 16,333 kilowatts of solar capacity across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire — and the majority of their new customers come through referrals from existing ones.

On the solar installation side, SGE Solar is hard to fault. They are an authorized SunPower dealer, giving customers access to the industry's highest-efficiency residential panels, and they supplement that lineup with other premium brands including REC Solar, Solaria, Qcells, and Panasonic. Every installation is performed by NABCEP-certified technicians — the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners credential is the gold standard for solar professionals — and backed by a 25-year workmanship warranty that significantly exceeds the industry norm of 10 years. Their recognition as a Solar Power World Top 315 Contractor nationally in 2024 confirms that their standing is not just local; they compete with the best installers in the country.

Where SGE Solar falls short for homeowners seeking a true roof+solar bundle is in the roofing side of the equation. Unlike Evergreen Solar or Sunfinity Power, SGE Solar's core identity is as a solar installer. Roofing and electrical contracting are listed services, but they are not marketed or structured as an integrated bundle program. For a homeowner whose roof is sound and who needs only solar panels, SGE Solar is an excellent choice. For anyone who also needs a new roof and wants the financial and logistical advantages of an integrated bundle — one contract, one warranty, one project timeline — the companies further up our rankings are better equipped to deliver that experience.

SGE Solar does not offer an integrated roof+solar bundle in the way that Evergreen Solar or Sunfinity Power do. Their expertise and core business is solar installation, and that is where their marketing, certifications, and warranties are concentrated. While roofing and electrical contracting are listed services, there is no structured bundle program, no combined pricing, and no single integrated warranty covering both roof and panels under one agreement.

What SGE Solar does offer is a turn-key solar installation service that covers everything from site assessment and permitting through installation, grid interconnection, and incentive paperwork. Customers can choose from a curated lineup of premium panels — SunPower (for which SGE is an authorized dealer), REC Solar, Solaria, Qcells, and Panasonic — with each brand carrying its own warranty terms ranging from 25 to 30 years. All SGE installations are covered by a 25-year workmanship warranty, which is two to three times longer than the industry standard and reflects genuine confidence in their craft.

Homeowners who do need both a roof and solar have two realistic paths with SGE Solar: address the roofing need separately with their own roofing contractor before engaging SGE for solar, or ask SGE whether they can coordinate the roofing portion through their contractor relationships. Either way, this is a two-step process rather than the single streamlined bundle that represents the best-in-class homeowner experience. For those whose primary focus is solar quality and don't need a new roof, SGE Solar's premium equipment selection and NABCEP credentials make them well worth a quote.

SGE Solar does not publish prices on their website, which is standard for the custom solar industry. System costs vary significantly based on home size, roof configuration, shading, energy usage, and panel brand selected. Massachusetts homeowners typically see a payback period of 4 to 6 years through SGE Solar, which is competitive within the industry.

For financing, SGE Solar is a Massachusetts Solar Loan specialist, offering access to the UMass5 Solar Loan and the CEC Solar Loan programs administered through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. These state-sponsored loan programs offer favorable rates and terms designed to make solar accessible without high upfront costs. For homeowners who prefer not to own the system, SGE Solar also offers solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), both of which provide $0 down options that eliminate installation costs in exchange for monthly payments.

As a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center-approved installer, SGE Solar is well-positioned to help customers navigate the full range of available incentives. This includes the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit, the Massachusetts state income tax credit (15%, up to $1,000), and the SMART Program (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target), which provides monthly bill credits for energy produced. SGE Solar handles all rebate and incentive paperwork on behalf of customers, including ongoing management of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs).