Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
National Grid territory. Lowest cost solar in MA metro areas. 12 kW systems starting at $34,800. No federal 25D tax credit in 2026 — but MA's strong state incentives keep solar highly profitable.
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 Worcester costs $34,800–$39,600 in 2026. Worcester has the lowest installed solar cost of any major MA city. In National Grid territory at $0.2718/kWh, with SMART income of ~$432/yr and 1:1 net metering, the investment pays for itself in 7.5–9 years and generates ~$115,000 in savings over 25 years.
Cost Range
$2.9–$3.3/W
Lowest in MA
Payback
7.5–9 yrs
Cash purchase
SMART 3.0
~$432/yr
Annual income (12 kW)
NGrid Rate
$0.2718
Per kWh
Worcester is the second-largest city in MA with ~206,000 residents. Lower labor costs, larger lots, and a mix of single-family and multi-family housing make it the best solar value in the state.
Population
~206,000 (#2 in MA)
Median Home Value
~$310,000
Primary Utility
National Grid
Solar Irradiance
4.5 kWh/m²/day
Typical System Size
10-15 kW
Building Permit
2-3 weeks
Costs for different system sizes in Worcester at $2.90-3.30/W. Larger suburban lots accommodate 12-15 kW systems or bigger.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART 3.0 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,400 | $19,800 | ~$216/yr | Small home / townhouse |
| 8 kW | $23,200 | $26,400 | ~$288/yr | Modest single-family |
| 10 kW | $29,000 | $33,000 | ~$360/yr | Average Worcester home |
| 12 kW | $34,800 | $39,600 | ~$432/yr | Typical suburban (recommended) |
| 15 kW | $43,500 | $49,500 | ~$540/yr | Large home / high usage / EV |
Prices include equipment, labor, permits, and grid interconnection. No federal tax credit included (expired). SMART 3.0 at $0.03/kWh base rate.
Worcester offers significant savings on solar installation costs compared to Boston, with faster ROI despite a slightly lower electricity rate.
Bottom line: Worcester saves $0.20/W on installation cost, and larger lots allow bigger systems (12 kW vs Boston's 9.5 kW average). The faster ROI more than compensates for National Grid's slightly lower electricity rate compared to Eversource.
MA's SMART 3.0 program pays $0.03/kWh for 20 years for residential systems. Income-eligible households receive $0.06/kWh. This is paid on top of net metering savings.
Annual SMART (12 kW)
~$432
$0.03/kWh x ~14,400 kWh
20-Year SMART Total
~$8,200
Guaranteed program income
Annual Production (12 kW)
~14,400 kWh
~4.5 peak sun hours/day
Low-income rate: Income-eligible households receive $0.06/kWh under SMART 3.0 — double the base rate. A 12 kW system would earn ~$864/yr ($0.06 x 14,400 kWh). Check eligibility through MassCEC.
National Grid credits excess solar at $0.2718/kWh full retail rate. Credits roll over monthly, annual true-up in March.
~$3,912/yr
Electricity savings (12 kW)
$0.03/kWh for 20 years. Paid on top of net metering. Low-income: $0.06/kWh.
~$432/yr
$8,200 over 20 years
15% state credit (max $1,000) + 6.25% sales tax exempt + 20-year property tax exempt.
~$3,175
Combined first year
National Grid pays $225/kW summer + $50/kW winter for battery demand response participation.
$2,750/yr
Typical 10 kW battery
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Worcester 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, lot size, and historic regulations vary by neighborhood. Here is a guide to the best areas for solar in Worcester.
Suburban area with large lots, spacious single-family homes, and excellent roof access. Ideal for 12-15 kW systems.
Largest lots in Worcester. Newer homes with modern roofs. Many properties can accommodate 15+ kW systems.
Mix of single and multi-family housing. Good solar options for south-facing roofs. 8-12 kW systems typical.
Denser area, some historic districts may require additional review. Flat roofs common. Community solar may be better for some homes.
Historic districts: Union Hill and Main South have historic designations. Solar installations may need Worcester Historical Commission review, adding 1-2 weeks. However, MA Solar Access Law limits unreasonable restrictions.
Four ways to pay for solar in Worcester. Solar loans at 5.5-8% APR through local lenders. PPAs and leases offer $0 down because the third-party system owner claims the commercial Section 48 ITC — not the homeowner.
Upfront
~$34,800-$39,600
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$115K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. Payback ~7.5-9 years. Full SMART income + net metering is yours.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$180-260/mo
25-yr Savings
~$75-90K
Ownership
You own it
10-25 year terms. Solar loans available at 5.5-8% APR through local lenders. SMART income offsets monthly payments.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed rate ~$0.12-0.16/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.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
~$100-145/mo
25-yr Savings
~$25-35K
Ownership
Third party owns
Fixed monthly payment, no maintenance. Third-party claims commercial ITC.
Worcester combines the lowest MA installation cost with all the strong state incentives. Result: the fastest solar ROI in the state.
Lowest cost of any major MA metro ($2.90-3.30/W)
Larger lots allow 12-15 kW systems
Lower labor costs than Greater Boston
National Grid: 1:1 net metering + ConnectedSolutions
All MA incentives: SMART 3.0, state credit, tax exemptions
Simple permitting: 2-3 weeks through Building Inspector
Diverse community with multilingual resources available
Historic districts (Union Hill, Main South): additional review possible
Typical roof type: asphalt shingle (easy installation)
Multi-family: community solar may be better option
Growing immigrant community — multilingual resources available
Solar panels in Worcester cost $2.90-3.30 per watt installed in 2026, which is the lowest of any major MA city. For a typical 12 kW system on a suburban home, that means $34,800-$39,600 before MA state incentives. The 30% federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025 — all figures reflect $0 federal credit for homeowners.
Worcester solar costs $2.90-3.30/W compared to Boston's $3.10-3.50/W for several reasons: lower labor costs in Central MA, easier roof access with more single-family homes and larger lots, simpler permitting (fewer historic district overlays), and less parking/staging competition for installation crews. On a 12 kW system, the savings can be $2,400-$4,800 compared to Boston pricing.
Worcester is served by National Grid, which offers 1:1 retail-rate net metering ($0.2718/kWh) for residential Class I systems up to 25 kW. Excess generation credits roll over monthly and are trued up annually in March at the avoided-cost rate. National Grid interconnection approval typically takes 2-4 weeks after installation.
SMART 3.0 (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) pays solar system owners $0.03/kWh for 20 years (or $0.06/kWh for income-eligible households). A 12 kW system in Worcester generates approximately 14,400 kWh/year, earning about $432/year in SMART income, or roughly $8,200 over the 20-year program term. This is paid on top of your electricity savings from net metering.
ConnectedSolutions is National Grid's demand response program for battery owners. Enrolled batteries discharge during peak grid events in exchange for payments: $225/kW in summer (June-September) and $50/kW in winter. A typical 10 kW home battery can earn $2,250 in summer plus $500 in winter, totaling $2,750/year. This stacks on top of SMART and net metering income.
Some Worcester neighborhoods like Union Hill and Main South have historic district designations that may require additional review by the Worcester Historical Commission. However, Massachusetts Solar Access Law (M.G.L. c. 40A s. 3) limits municipalities from unreasonably restricting solar installations. Most historic reviews focus on street-facing visibility and add 1-2 weeks to the permitting timeline rather than blocking installations.
Without the 25D federal credit, solar payback in Worcester is approximately 7.5-9 years for a cash purchase. This accounts for National Grid net metering at $0.2718/kWh, SMART income of ~$432/year, the MA state tax credit ($1,000), sales tax exemption saving ~$2,175, and the 20-year property tax exemption. Over 25 years, a typical 12 kW system saves approximately $115,000.
Worcester is one of the best cities in Massachusetts for solar. It has the lowest installed cost of any major MA metro ($2.90-3.30/W), generous National Grid net metering at $0.2718/kWh, access to SMART 3.0 and ConnectedSolutions, larger lots that accommodate bigger systems (12-15 kW typical), and all the MA state incentives. The combination of lower cost and strong incentives means faster payback than Boston or Cambridge.
We will assess your specific roof, orientation, and National Grid rate to show you exactly what solar costs and saves for your Worcester home.
Pricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy Central MA installations.
Utility rates: National Grid residential rate schedule, effective February 2026.
SMART 3.0: MassDOER / MassCEC, SMART program guidelines (PY2026).
ConnectedSolutions: National Grid demand response program, 2025-2026 rates.
Tax exemptions: MA Department of Revenue, Worcester property tax assessor data.
Solar Access Law: M.G.L. c. 40A s. 3.