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Lowest solar cost in all of Massachusetts + highest SMART rate for income-eligible households. Springfield offers the best solar value in the state.
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 11.5 kW solar system in Springfield costs $32,775-$37,375 in 2026 — the lowest price in any MA metro area. In Eversource (Western MA) territory at $0.28/kWh with SMART, net metering, and state tax exemptions, the investment pays for itself in 7-9 years. Income-eligible households earn 3.6x more from SMART, accelerating payback to 5-6 years.
Springfield offers the best solar value in MA — lowest cost + highest incentives for income-eligible households.
Cost Range
$2.85-$3.25/W
Lowest in MA
Typical System
11.5 kW
$32,775-$37,375
SMART Low-Income
$0.11/kWh
3.6x the base rate
Eversource Rate
$0.28
Per kWh
Springfield has a higher percentage of income-eligible households than any other major MA city. This is the single biggest financial advantage in Massachusetts residential solar.
SMART Base Rate
$0.03/kWh
Standard rate for 20 years
11.5 kW = $414/yr
$7,898 over 20 years
Low-Income Rate
$0.06/kWh
2x the base rate
11.5 kW = $828/yr
~$15,732 over 20 years
Low-Income + Adder
$0.11/kWh
3.6x the base rate
11.5 kW = $1518/yr
$28,960 over 20 years
Annual production
11.5 kW x 1200 kWh/kW/yr
Base SMART rate
Standard SMART 3.0 residential rate
Low-income rate
Double the base rate for eligible households
Low-income adder
Stacks on top of low-income rate
Annual SMART income (low-income)
$0.11/kWh x 13,800 kWh
Comparison: base rate
$0.03/kWh x 13,800 kWh
Income-eligible Springfield residents earn $1104 MORE per year from the SMART program — an extra $21,062 over 20 years. This covers a significant portion of the system cost.
Costs for different system sizes in Springfield at $2.85-$3.25/W. SMART income shown at both base rate and low-income rate for comparison.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART Base | SMART L.I. | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,100 | $19,500 | ~$216/yr | ~$792/yr | Small home / starter |
| 8 kW | $22,800 | $26,000 | ~$288/yr | ~$1,056/yr | Average Springfield home |
| 10 kW | $28,500 | $32,500 | ~$360/yr | ~$1,320/yr | Larger home / EV |
| 11.5 kW | $32,775 | $37,375 | ~$414/yr | ~$1518/yr | Typical Springfield system |
| 14 kW | $39,900 | $45,500 | ~$504/yr | ~$1,848/yr | Large home / multi-family |
Prices include equipment, labor, permits, and interconnection. No federal tax credit included (expired). SMART L.I. = low-income rate ($0.06/kWh) + adder ($0.05/kWh) = $0.11/kWh total.
Springfield consistently has the lowest solar cost across Massachusetts metro areas.
| City | Cost/W | Avg System | Utility | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringfieldLowest | $2.85-$3.25 | 11.5 kW | Eversource (West) | $32,775-$37,375 |
| Worcester | $2.9-$3.3 | 12 kW | National Grid | $34,800-$39,600 |
| Boston | $3.1-$3.5 | 9.5 kW | Eversource | $29,450-$33,250 |
| Cambridge | $3.15-$3.5 | 9 kW | Eversource | $28,350-$31,500 |
| Cape Cod | $3.1-$3.55 | 10.5 kW | Eversource | $32,550-$37,275 |
All 2026 fully installed prices, no federal tax credit. All cities receive the same SMART rate and net metering benefits.
Eversource credits excess solar at the full retail rate of $0.28/kWh. Credits roll over monthly and true up in April at avoided-cost rate.
~$3,430/yr
Annual electricity savings (11.5 kW)
Massachusetts exempts 100% of solar-added value from property taxes for 20 years. Solar adds ~4% to home value with $0 added to your property tax bill.
~$400/yr
20-year exemption
MA exempts solar from 6.25% sales tax. Plus a 15% state income tax credit capped at $1,000.
~$3,192
Immediate savings at purchase
Springfield is in Eversource territory, which pays the highest ConnectedSolutions rates in Massachusetts. Add a battery for a third income stream on top of SMART and net metering.
Summer (Jun-Sep)
$275/kW
10 kW = $2,750/yr
Winter (Dec-Mar)
$50/kW
10 kW = $500/yr
Annual CS Revenue
$3,250/yr
10 kW battery in Eversource territory
Four ways to pay for solar in Springfield. Solar loans are available at 5.5-8% APR through local lenders and credit unions — and income-qualified residents may access even lower rates.
Upfront
~$32,775-$37,375
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$95-110K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. Payback 7-9 years. Full SMART income + net metering are yours. No 25D ITC.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
5.5-8% APR (varies by lender)
25-yr Savings
~$70-90K
Ownership
You own it
Local lenders and credit unions offer solar loans. Income-qualified Springfield residents may access lower rates through state programs. You keep all SMART income.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
~$180-260/mo
25-yr Savings
~$55-75K
Ownership
You own it
10-25 year terms. SMART income helps offset monthly payments from month one. No 25D for you.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed rate ~$0.13-0.17/kWh
25-yr Savings
~$30-45K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power at a discount below Eversource rates. Immediate savings.
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Springfield 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 creditRoof conditions and income eligibility vary by neighborhood. Many Springfield areas are designated environmental justice communities — meaning access to the highest SMART rates.
Commercial + multi-family. Limited single-family rooftops but flat-roof multi-unit buildings can host larger systems. Environmental justice designation opens access to SMART low-income adder.
Residential neighborhood with well-maintained single-family homes and good south-facing roofs. Tree-lined streets may need shade analysis. Excellent candidate area for 10-14 kW systems.
Suburban-style homes with larger lots and newer roofs. Less tree canopy than Forest Park. Good roof access for installers. Typical 10-12 kW systems fit well.
Mix of single-family and multi-family housing at more affordable price points. Many residents qualify for SMART low-income rate ($0.11/kWh total). Gateway City resources may help with financing.
Larger homes on bigger lots in this eastern neighborhood. Excellent sun exposure and roof space for 11-15 kW systems. Lower tree density than western neighborhoods.
Dense residential areas with a mix of housing. Environmental justice community designation. High percentage of low-income eligible households for the 3.6x SMART rate advantage.
Springfield carries unique designations that increase solar benefits for residents.
Access to additional state economic development programs
Higher eligibility for HEAR rebates and SMART low-income adder
Community resources for renewable energy education
Lower labor costs = lower installation prices
Many Springfield neighborhoods carry EJ designation
EJ households often qualify for SMART low-income rate ($0.11/kWh)
Priority access to community solar programs
Springfield has aggressive climate goals supporting solar adoption
SMART administrators prioritize projects in EJ communities
Springfield Building Department handles solar permits. Your installer manages the entire process.
1-2 weeks
Site survey, shade analysis, system design, engineering stamps.
2-3 weeks
Application to Springfield Building Department. Straightforward process for most residential areas.
1-3 days
Physical system installation, electrical verification, and municipal inspection.
2-4 weeks
Eversource Western MA approves grid connection and activates net metering.
Total timeline: Most Springfield solar installations take 6-10 weeks from signed contract to system activation. Springfield does not have historic district solar restrictions in most residential areas.
For renters, condo owners, or heavily shaded roofs in Springfield, community solar delivers savings without installation.
Savings
10-20%
On electricity bill
Upfront Cost
$0
No installation
Contract
Flexible
Cancel anytime
Solar panels in Springfield cost $2.85-3.25 per watt installed in 2026 — the lowest price in any Massachusetts metro area. For a typical 11.5 kW system, that means $32,775-$37,375 before state incentives. There is no federal 25D residential tax credit in 2026 (expired December 31, 2025). Springfield's lower labor and overhead costs compared to the Boston metro area drive the price advantage.
Springfield solar costs $2.85-3.25/W compared to Boston's $3.10-3.50/W for several reasons: lower labor costs (Western MA wages vs. Greater Boston), lower permitting and overhead costs, more accessible rooftops (fewer multi-story and historic buildings), and more competition among installers in the Pioneer Valley region. Despite lower costs, Springfield homeowners get the same SMART program rates and net metering benefits as Boston.
Income-eligible Springfield residents receive a SMART rate of $0.06/kWh (double the standard $0.03/kWh) PLUS a $0.05/kWh low-income adder, totaling $0.11/kWh — 3.6 times the base rate. For an 11.5 kW system producing ~13,800 kWh/year, that equals $1,518 annually in SMART income alone, compared to just $414/year at the base rate. Over 20 years, income-eligible homeowners earn roughly $30,000 from SMART — nearly the full cost of the system.
Springfield is served by Eversource Energy (Western MA division). Eversource offers 1:1 retail-rate net metering at approximately $0.28/kWh for residential systems up to 25 kW AC. Excess generation credits roll over monthly and true up annually in April at the avoided-cost rate. Eversource interconnection typically takes 2-4 weeks after installation.
Springfield is designated a Massachusetts Gateway City, which gives residents access to additional state economic development resources and programs. While there is no Gateway City-specific solar incentive, the designation reflects Springfield's demographics — many residents qualify for SMART low-income rates, HEAR income-qualified rebates, and solar loans at 5.5-8% APR through local credit unions. Environmental justice community designations in several Springfield neighborhoods further increase eligibility.
Yes. Springfield is Eversource territory, and Eversource participates in ConnectedSolutions — Massachusetts's battery demand response program. Eversource pays $275/kW in summer and $50/kW in winter. A 10 kW battery (e.g., Tesla Powerwall 3) can earn approximately $3,250/year in ConnectedSolutions revenue on top of SMART income and net metering savings.
Springfield Building Department handles solar permits. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks from application to approval. Your installer submits all permit applications, engineering plans, and coordinates the final inspection. Springfield does not have historic district restrictions on solar in most residential neighborhoods. After the building permit, Eversource interconnection adds another 2-4 weeks.
Solar payback in Springfield is approximately 7-9 years for a cash purchase, even without the 25D federal credit. This is driven by Eversource rates at $0.28/kWh, SMART 3.0 income, full retail net metering, the $1,000 MA state tax credit, 6.25% sales tax exemption, and the 20-year property tax exemption. Income-eligible homeowners with the $0.11/kWh SMART rate see payback as fast as 5-6 years.
We will assess your specific roof, neighborhood, income eligibility, and Eversource rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Springfield home — including whether you qualify for the $0.11/kWh SMART rate.
Complete hub for MA solar, heat pumps, and utility resources.
Read moreComplete guide to going solar in Massachusetts.
Read moreStatewide solar costs and city-by-city breakdown.
Read more$0.03-0.11/kWh for 20 years. How to enroll and earn.
Read moreSolar loans at 5.5-8% APR through local lenders and credit unions.
Read more1:1 retail credit. Lock in before potential changes.
Read morePost-ITC financing comparison for MA homeowners.
Read more$225-$3,250/yr in battery demand response revenue.
Read morePricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy Western MA installations.
Utility rates: Eversource R-1/R-2 tariff schedule (Western MA division), effective January 2026.
SMART 3.0: MassDOER/MassCEC program guidelines, PY2026 rates and adder schedule.
Gateway City: MA Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Springfield designation data.
Environmental justice: MassDEP environmental justice policy, Springfield community designations.
Permitting: Springfield Building Department solar permit requirements.