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MetroWest's largest city with ~73,000 residents, diverse neighborhoods, and affordable housing that delivers strong solar ROI. Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh. SMART 3.0 + ConnectedSolutions make Framingham one of the best solar values in the region.
Eversource territory • SMART 3.0 • ConnectedSolutions eligible • MetroWest hub
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
A 12 kW solar system in Framingham costs $36,000-$40,200 in 2026. In Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh, with SMART income of ~$432/yr and full retail net metering, the investment pays for itself in 7-8.5 years and generates ~$130,000 in savings over 25 years.
Cost Range
$3-$3.35/W
Fully installed
Avg System
12 kW
Framingham average
Payback
7-8.5 yrs
Cash purchase
25-Year Savings
~$130K
Estimated total value
Framingham is the largest city in MetroWest with ~73,000 residents. It became a city in 2018, transitioning from one of the largest towns in the US. Its diverse housing stock and more affordable price points make solar accessible to a wide range of homeowners.
Population
~73,000
Median Home Value
~$520,000
Primary Utility
Eversource
Electric Rate
$0.2836/kWh
Typical System Size
10-15 kW
Solar Irradiance
4.2 kWh/m²/day
Costs for different system sizes in Framingham at $3.00-3.35/W. Framingham homes range from smaller condos (7-9 kW) to large colonials near Salem End Road (15-18 kW).
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART 3.0 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 kW | $21,000 | $23,450 | ~$252/yr | Condo / smaller ranch |
| 9 kW | $27,000 | $30,150 | ~$324/yr | Mid-size cape or colonial |
| 12 kW | $36,000 | $40,200 | ~$432/yr | Typical Framingham single-family |
| 15 kW | $45,000 | $50,250 | ~$540/yr | Large home / EV + battery |
| 18 kW | $54,000 | $60,300 | ~$648/yr | High usage / multi-zone HVAC |
Prices include equipment, labor, permits, and grid interconnection. No federal tax credit included (expired). $1,000 MA state tax credit not deducted.
Framingham's neighborhoods vary widely -- from dense downtown areas to spacious western suburbs. Here is how solar conditions vary across the city.
Home Types
Split-levels, ranches, colonials
Avg System
11-14 kW
Western Framingham neighborhoods with spacious lots and good south-facing roof access. Post-war housing stock with ideal roof pitches. Strong solar adoption area.
Home Types
Victorians, colonials, newer infill
Avg System
10-12 kW
Historic town center area near Framingham State University. Mix of older homes with some newer construction. Mature tree canopy in spots, but generally good solar access.
Home Types
Multi-family, triple-deckers, apartments
Avg System
8-10 kW
Diverse, denser neighborhood near the Commuter Rail. Multi-family and triple-deckers can install rooftop solar with shared benefits. Community solar ideal for renters.
Home Types
Large colonials, newer construction
Avg System
12-16 kW
More affluent neighborhoods with larger lots and newer homes. Excellent roof conditions, minimal shading, and higher electricity consumption make for strong solar ROI.
Framingham's Building Department handles solar permits. Since becoming a city in 2018, the permitting process has been streamlined. Typical timeline is 2-3 weeks.
Installer evaluates roof condition, shading, orientation, and structure. Neighborhood-specific considerations identified.
Application to Framingham Building Department with electrical and structural plans. Standard residential solar permit.
Typical installation 1-3 days. Electrical and building inspection by the City of Framingham.
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 Framingham homeowners can stack.
$0.03/kWh for all electricity produced for 20 years. A 12 kW system generates ~$432/yr in SMART income.
~$432/yr
~$8,200 over 20 years
1:1 credit at full retail rate of $0.2836/kWh. Credits roll over monthly and true up in April.
~$4,084/yr
Annual electricity savings (12 kW)
Eversource demand response. Earn $275/kW summer + $50/kW winter for discharging your battery during peak events.
$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 are exempt from the 6.25% MA sales tax. Immediate savings at purchase.
~$2,381
Savings on typical system
Solar-added value is exempt from property tax for 20 years.
~$379/yr
20-year exemption (~$7,580 total)
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Framingham homeowners buying cash or loan receive $0 in federal credit. However, third-party system owners (PPA/lease) can still claim the commercial Section 48/48E ITC -- which translates to lower PPA rates for you.
Read: What happened to the solar tax creditThree ways to pay for solar in Framingham. PPAs offer $0 down because the third-party system owner claims the commercial Section 48 ITC.
Upfront
~$36,000-$40,200
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$130K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. 7-8.5 year payback. Full SMART income + net metering yours.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
~$245-340/mo (5.5-8% APR)
25-yr Savings
~$80-100K
Ownership
You own it
10-25 year terms through local lenders and credit unions. SMART income + net metering offset payments.
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. Immediate savings.
How Framingham solar costs compare to neighboring MetroWest communities. All are in Eversource territory with access to the same state incentives.
| City/Town | Cost/W | Avg System | Utility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framingham | $3.00-3.35 | 12 kW | Eversource | MetroWest hub, diverse housing, affordable entry |
| Natick | $3.05-3.40 | 12 kW | Eversource | Affluent neighbor, newer housing stock |
| Ashland | $3.00-3.35 | 11 kW | Eversource | Similar pricing, smaller community |
| Marlborough | $2.95-3.30 | 11 kW | Eversource | City to the west, slightly lower costs |
| Sudbury | $3.10-3.45 | 13 kW | Eversource | Larger homes, higher values |
Solar panels in Framingham cost $3.00-3.35 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 12 kW system costs $36,000-$40,200 before MA state incentives. The federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025 -- homeowners receive $0 in federal credit. Massachusetts state incentives (SMART 3.0, net metering, state tax credit, and tax exemptions) still make solar highly profitable in Framingham.
Framingham benefits from slightly lower installation costs ($3.00-3.35/W vs. $3.10-3.45/W) due to its more accessible housing stock. Many Framingham homes have straightforward roof access, larger lots, and fewer historic restrictions. Combined with lower property values (lower overhead and insurance costs for installers), this creates a competitive market that keeps pricing down.
SMART 3.0 (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) pays solar system owners $0.03/kWh for all electricity produced, locked in for 20 years. A 12 kW system in Framingham generates approximately $432/year in SMART income, totaling roughly $8,200 over the program duration. Low-income households qualify for $0.06/kWh (double rate). Battery storage adds $0.04/kWh on top.
Yes. Framingham transitioned from a town to a city in January 2018. This has generally been positive for solar -- the city government has been proactive about sustainability initiatives, and the professional city manager structure has streamlined the permitting process. The Building Department handles solar permits efficiently, typically in 2-3 weeks.
Yes. Framingham has one of the best solar value propositions in MetroWest. The slightly lower installation costs ($3.00-3.35/W), combined with the same high Eversource rate ($0.2836/kWh), SMART 3.0 income, and full 1:1 net metering, create a 7-8.5 year payback even without the federal credit. Over 25 years, a typical system saves approximately $130,000.
We will assess your specific roof, neighborhood conditions, and Eversource rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Framingham home -- including SMART 3.0 and ConnectedSolutions.
Complete guide to solar in Massachusetts.
Read moreStatewide solar costs and city-by-city breakdown.
Read more$0.03/kWh for 20 years. How to enroll and earn.
Read moreEarn $225-$1,500/yr per battery.
Read moreMetroWest neighbor. $3.05-3.40/W.
Read moreRoute 128 corridor. $3.05-3.40/W.
Read more25D expired. What options remain.
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 MetroWest 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.
Tax exemptions: MA Department of Revenue, Framingham Assessor data.