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Sustainability-focused suburb with 46,000 residents, a Net Zero Action Plan, and one of the strongest community choice aggregation programs in MA. Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh.
Eversource territory • SMART 3.0 • ConnectedSolutions eligible • CCA program • Net Zero town
2026 Reality: The 30% federal tax credit (Section 25D) expired for homeowners December 31, 2025. All costs in this guide reflect $0 federal credit. Full details
An 11 kW solar system in Arlington costs $34,100-$37,950 in 2026. In Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh, with SMART income of ~$396/yr and full retail net metering, the investment pays for itself in 7-8.5 years and generates ~$120,000 in savings over 25 years.
Cost Range
$3.1-$3.45/W
Fully installed
Avg System
11 kW
Arlington average
Payback
7-8.5 yrs
Cash purchase
25-Year Savings
~$120K
Estimated total value
Arlington is a sustainability-focused suburb of ~46,000 residents with a Net Zero Action Plan and one of the most active community choice aggregation programs in Massachusetts. The predominantly single-family housing stock and engaged environmentally-conscious community make it a top solar market.
Population
~46,000
Median Home Value
~$900,000
Primary Utility
Eversource
Electric Rate
$0.2836/kWh
Typical System Size
9-14 kW
Solar Irradiance
4.2 kWh/m²/day
Costs for different system sizes in Arlington at $3.10-3.45/W. Arlington homes tend to be larger single-family properties with room for bigger systems.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART 3.0 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 kW | $21,700 | $24,150 | ~$252/yr | Condo / smaller home |
| 9 kW | $27,900 | $31,050 | ~$324/yr | Mid-size colonial / Cape |
| 11 kW | $34,100 | $37,950 | ~$396/yr | Typical Arlington single-family |
| 14 kW | $43,400 | $48,300 | ~$504/yr | Large home / EV + heat pump |
Prices include equipment, labor, permits, and grid interconnection. No federal tax credit included (expired). $1,000 MA state tax credit not deducted.
Arlington's neighborhoods range from the denser East Arlington near Somerville to the spacious single-family areas of Arlington Heights and Turkey Hill.
Home Types
Single-family colonials, ranches, Capes
Avg System
11-14 kW
Predominantly single-family residential area with larger lots and excellent south-facing roof access. Higher elevation reduces shading from neighbors. Strong solar adoption driven by sustainability-minded homeowners.
Home Types
Mix of single/multi-family, Victorians
Avg System
8-11 kW
Denser area closer to Somerville border. Mix of housing types including some multi-family and triple-deckers. More mature tree canopy along streets but generally good solar conditions on south-facing roofs.
Home Types
Colonials, Victorians, mixed residential
Avg System
9-12 kW
Central Arlington near Mass Ave corridor with a mix of housing ages and styles. Town center walkability drives eco-conscious residents. Good solar potential with standard residential setbacks.
Home Types
Large single-family, colonials
Avg System
12-15 kW
Upscale residential area with larger homes and lots. Higher property values and electricity consumption make solar ROI especially strong. Excellent roof access and minimal shading issues.
Arlington advantage: The town has some of the highest per-capita solar adoption rates in Greater Boston, driven by its Net Zero Action Plan and environmentally engaged community. Neighbor referrals are a major driver of new installations here.
Arlington's Building Inspector's Office handles solar permits. The town is very supportive of residential solar with a streamlined 2-4 week process.
Installer evaluates roof condition, shade, orientation, and structural capacity. Arlington Heights and Turkey Hill have especially good solar conditions.
Application to Arlington Building Inspector. Standard residential solar permit. The town processes solar permits efficiently.
Typical installation 1-3 days. Building and electrical inspection by the Town of Arlington.
Eversource approves grid connection. 2-4 weeks. Net metering activated once approved.
Massachusetts offers one of the strongest solar incentive packages in the country. Here is what Arlington homeowners can stack.
$0.03/kWh for all electricity produced for 20 years. An 11 kW system generates ~$396/yr in SMART income.
~$396/yr
~$7,520 over 20 years
1:1 credit at full retail rate of $0.2836/kWh. Works alongside Arlington's CCA program.
~$3,744/yr
Annual electricity savings (11 kW)
Eversource demand response. Earn $275/kW summer + $50/kW winter.
$3,250/yr
Typical 10 kW battery
15% of system cost, capped at $1,000. Claimed on your MA state tax return.
$1,000
One-time credit
Solar systems exempt from 6.25% MA sales tax. Immediate savings at purchase.
~$2,253
Savings on typical system
Solar-added value exempt from property tax for 20 years.
~$385/yr
20-year exemption (~$7,700 total)
Arlington Community Electricity (ACE) provides competitive electricity supply for all Arlington residents. Understanding how CCA works alongside solar is important for maximizing your savings.
CCA provides competitive supply rates, often with more renewable content
Net metering credits are at full retail rate, regardless of CCA enrollment
SMART income is independent of your electricity supplier
You can be on CCA supply and have solar -- they stack
Arlington residents can opt up to 100% renewable through CCA
Solar production reduces your CCA supply charges directly
Arlington's CCA sets your electricity supply rate. Solar panels reduce the kWh you buy from that supply. Any excess goes to the grid as net metering credits at the full retail rate. SMART pays you separately for all production. The result: lower bills, green energy, and SMART income all stacking together.
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Arlington homeowners buying cash or loan receive $0 in federal credit. Third-party system owners (PPA/lease) can still claim the commercial Section 48/48E ITC.
Read: What happened to the solar tax creditThree ways to pay for solar in Arlington. PPAs offer $0 down because the third-party system owner claims the commercial Section 48 ITC.
Upfront
~$34,100-$37,950
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$120K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. 7-8.5 year payback. Full SMART + net metering income.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
~$235-330/mo (5.5-8% APR)
25-yr Savings
~$75-95K
Ownership
You own it
10-25 year terms through local lenders and credit unions.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed ~$0.14-0.18/kWh
25-yr Savings
~$35-50K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power at a discount.
| City/Town | Cost/W | Avg System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $3.10-3.45 | 11 kW | CCA program, Net Zero plan, sustainability leader |
| Medford | $3.05-3.40 | 10.5 kW | Tufts area, mix of single/multi-family |
| Lexington | $3.10-3.50 | 12 kW | Affluent suburb, larger homes and lots |
| Somerville | $3.10-3.45 | 8.5 kW | Dense, triple-deckers, EJ community |
| Watertown | $3.10-3.45 | 9.5 kW | Compact city, Arsenal area redevelopment |
Solar panels in Arlington cost $3.10-3.45 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 11 kW system costs $34,100-$37,950 before MA state incentives. The federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025 -- homeowners receive $0 in federal credit. Massachusetts incentives (SMART 3.0, net metering, $1,000 state credit, tax exemptions) still deliver excellent ROI.
Arlington's CCA program (Arlington Community Electricity) provides competitive supply rates for residents, often with a higher renewable energy content than the Eversource default. Solar still makes strong financial sense alongside CCA because net metering credits are applied at the full retail rate regardless of your supply source. SMART income is also independent of your electricity supplier.
Arlington is one of the best suburban towns in Greater Boston for solar. It has a strong sustainability culture, a supportive Net Zero plan, streamlined permitting, and predominantly single-family housing with good roof access. The combination of high Eversource rates ($0.2836/kWh), CCA engagement, and environmental commitment makes Arlington a top solar market.
Arlington's Net Zero Action Plan aims to dramatically reduce community carbon emissions. Residential solar is a key strategy in this plan. The town actively promotes solar adoption through community outreach, sustainability events, and information resources. Many Arlington homeowners are motivated by both financial savings and alignment with the town's climate goals.
Yes. Arlington has a 7-8.5 year payback even without the federal credit. High Eversource rates ($0.2836/kWh), SMART 3.0 income (~$396/yr for 11 kW), full retail net metering, and state incentives make solar highly profitable. Over 25 years a typical system saves approximately $120,000. The 20-year property tax exemption adds ~$385/year in value.
We will assess your specific roof, neighborhood conditions, and Eversource rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Arlington home -- including how it works with your CCA program.
Complete hub for MA solar, heat pumps, and utility resources.
Read moreStatewide solar costs and city-by-city breakdown.
Read more$0.03/kWh for 20 years. How to enroll and earn.
Read moreEarn $275/kW summer. Demand response revenue.
Read moreAdjacent city. $3.05-3.40/W, Tufts area.
Read moreNearby. $3.10-3.45/W, compact city.
Read more25D expired. What options remain for homeowners.
Read moreCompare utility rates, net metering, and solar economics.
Read moreTrack rate changes across MA utilities since 2020.
Read moreLive installation data, capacity trends, and market stats.
Read moreCurrent wait times, bottlenecks, and how to get connected faster.
Read morePricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy Greater Boston installations.
Utility rates: Eversource residential rate schedule RS, effective February 2026.
SMART 3.0: MassDOER / MassCEC, SMART program guidelines PY2026.
ConnectedSolutions: Eversource demand response program rates, 2026 season.
CCA: Arlington Community Electricity program details, Town of Arlington.
Tax exemptions: MA Department of Revenue, Arlington Assessor data.