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Home to Tufts University with 59,000 residents and a healthy mix of single-family and multi-family housing. Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh. Among the most affordable solar in metro Boston.
Eversource territory • SMART 3.0 • ConnectedSolutions eligible • Tufts area
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 10.5 kW solar system in Medford costs $32,025-$35,700 in 2026. In Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh, with SMART income of ~$378/yr and full retail net metering, the investment pays for itself in 7-8.5 years and generates ~$115,000 in savings over 25 years.
Cost Range
$3.05-$3.4/W
Fully installed
Avg System
10.5 kW
Medford average
Payback
7-8.5 yrs
Cash purchase
25-Year Savings
~$115K
Estimated total value
Medford is a diverse city of ~59,000 residents, home to Tufts University. The housing stock ranges from single-family colonials and ranches in West Medford and North Medford to denser triple-deckers in South Medford near the Somerville border.
Population
~59,000
Median Home Value
~$700,000
Primary Utility
Eversource
Electric Rate
$0.2836/kWh
Typical System Size
9-13 kW
Solar Irradiance
4.2 kWh/m²/day
Costs for different system sizes in Medford at $3.05-3.40/W. Medford offers some of the most affordable solar pricing in the metro Boston area.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART 3.0 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 kW | $21,350 | $23,800 | ~$252/yr | Condo / small ranch |
| 8.5 kW | $25,925 | $28,900 | ~$306/yr | Mid-size colonial / cape |
| 10.5 kW | $32,025 | $35,700 | ~$378/yr | Typical Medford single-family |
| 13 kW | $39,650 | $44,200 | ~$468/yr | Large home / EV + battery |
Prices include equipment, labor, permits, and grid interconnection. No federal tax credit included (expired). $1,000 MA state tax credit not deducted.
Medford's neighborhoods offer varying solar conditions based on housing density and terrain. Here is how the main areas compare.
Home Types
Single-family colonials, Capes, ranches
Avg System
10-13 kW
Predominantly single-family residential area with good lot sizes. Near the Tufts campus border. Mature trees in some areas but generally excellent south-facing roof access. Strong solar adoption.
Home Types
Single-family, some multi-family
Avg System
10-12 kW
Elevated terrain near Tufts provides good sun exposure. Mix of single-family and smaller multi-family buildings. Hillside orientation means many south-facing slopes ideal for solar panels.
Home Types
Triple-deckers, multi-family, Victorians
Avg System
7-9 kW
Denser area bordering Somerville with more multi-family housing. Triple-deckers with flat roofs work well for solar. Some building-to-building shading in tighter blocks.
Home Types
Single-family, ranches, split-levels
Avg System
9-12 kW
Residential area with post-war housing stock. Many 1950s-1970s ranches and split-levels with simple roof lines ideal for solar installation. Good lot spacing reduces shading issues.
Medford's Building Department handles solar permits. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Medford is generally permissive for residential solar.
Installer evaluates roof condition, shade, orientation, and structural capacity. Medford Hillside properties get terrain assessment for optimal panel angle.
Application to Medford Building Department with electrical and structural plans. Standard residential solar permit process.
Typical installation 1-3 days. Building and electrical inspection by the City of Medford.
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 Medford homeowners can stack.
$0.03/kWh for all electricity produced for 20 years. A 10.5 kW system generates ~$378/yr in SMART income.
~$378/yr
~$7,180 over 20 years
1:1 credit at full retail rate of $0.2836/kWh. Credits roll over monthly.
~$3,573/yr
Annual electricity savings (10.5 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.
~$2,116
Savings on typical system
Solar-added value exempt from property tax for 20 years.
~$372/yr
20-year exemption (~$7,440 total)
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Medford 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 Medford. PPAs offer $0 down because the third-party system owner claims the commercial Section 48 ITC.
Upfront
~$32,025-$35,700
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$115K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. 7-8.5 year payback. Full SMART + net metering income.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
~$220-310/mo (5.5-8% APR)
25-yr Savings
~$70-90K
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
~$30-45K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power at a discount.
| City/Town | Cost/W | Avg System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | $3.05-3.40 | 10.5 kW | Tufts area, mix of single/multi, affordable solar |
| Somerville | $3.10-3.45 | 8.5 kW | Densest in NE, triple-deckers, EJ community |
| Arlington | $3.10-3.45 | 11 kW | Sustainability culture, CCA program |
| Malden | $3.05-3.40 | 10 kW | Similar housing stock, slightly lower values |
| Winchester | $3.10-3.45 | 12 kW | Affluent suburb, larger single-family homes |
Solar panels in Medford cost $3.05-3.40 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 10.5 kW system costs $32,025-$35,700 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 strong ROI.
Medford benefits from lower permitting complexity compared to dense urban areas and more straightforward roof access on its single-family housing stock. Fewer historic district requirements and simpler installation logistics on colonial and ranch-style homes help keep costs at the lower end of the metro Boston range.
Yes. Medford has a 7-8.5 year payback even without the federal credit, driven by high Eversource rates ($0.2836/kWh), SMART 3.0 income (~$378/yr for 10.5 kW), full retail net metering, and MA state incentives. Over 25 years a typical system saves approximately $115,000.
Medford has a significant number of multi-family and triple-decker buildings, especially in South Medford near the Somerville border. Building owners can install solar and use virtual net metering to allocate credits to tenants. Condo associations can vote for shared rooftop solar. Community solar is available for buildings where rooftop installation is not practical.
ConnectedSolutions is Eversource's demand response program for battery owners. During peak grid events, you discharge your battery and earn $275/kW in summer plus $50/kW in winter. A typical 10 kW home battery earns $3,250/year. Combined with SMART 3.0 battery adder (+$0.04/kWh), the battery can pay for itself in 3-4 years.
We will assess your specific roof, neighborhood conditions, and Eversource rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Medford home.
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. $3.10-3.45/W, densest in NE.
Read moreNearby suburb. $3.10-3.45/W, CCA program.
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.
Tax exemptions: MA Department of Revenue, Medford Assessor data.