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...
The densest city in New England with 81,000 residents, iconic triple-deckers, and a strong environmental justice focus. Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh. SMART 3.0 low-income adder available.
Eversource territory • SMART 3.0 • Environmental justice community • Triple-decker solar guide
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 8.5 kW solar system in Somerville costs $26,350-$29,325 in 2026. In Eversource territory at $0.2836/kWh, with SMART income of ~$306/yr and full retail net metering, the investment pays for itself in 7.5-8.5 years and generates ~$95,000 in savings over 25 years.
Cost Range
$3.1-$3.45/W
Fully installed
Avg System
8.5 kW
Somerville average
Payback
7.5-8.5 yrs
Cash purchase
25-Year Savings
~$95K
Estimated total value
Somerville is the densest city in New England with ~81,000 residents packed into just 4.2 square miles. The housing stock is dominated by triple-deckers and multi-family buildings, many with flat roofs well-suited for solar. Parts of Somerville are designated environmental justice communities.
Population
~81,000
Median Home Value
~$850,000
Primary Utility
Eversource
Electric Rate
$0.2836/kWh
Typical System Size
7-10 kW
Solar Irradiance
4.2 kWh/m²/day
Costs for different system sizes in Somerville at $3.10-3.45/W. Somerville systems tend to be smaller due to compact roof areas on triple-deckers.
| System Size | Low Cost | High Cost | SMART 3.0 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $15,500 | $17,250 | ~$180/yr | Condo unit / small apartment |
| 6.5 kW | $20,150 | $22,425 | ~$234/yr | Triple-decker single floor |
| 8.5 kW | $26,350 | $29,325 | ~$306/yr | Typical Somerville home |
| 11 kW | $34,100 | $37,950 | ~$396/yr | Larger 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.
Somerville's neighborhoods vary from dense urban areas to more residential pockets. Here is how solar conditions differ across the city.
Home Types
Multi-family, triple-deckers, Victorians
Avg System
7-9 kW
Dense neighborhood near Tufts with a mix of housing types. Many triple-deckers have flat or low-slope roofs ideal for solar. Strong community buy-in for clean energy initiatives.
Home Types
Triple-deckers, multi-family, some single
Avg System
7-10 kW
Designated environmental justice community. Low-income SMART rate ($0.06/kWh) available for qualifying households. Strong candidate for community solar programs and shared rooftop installations.
Home Types
Mixed: older triple-deckers, new condos
Avg System
6-8 kW
Rapidly developing area near Assembly Row. Newer condo developments may have HOA considerations. Older housing stock has good solar potential on flat roofs.
Home Types
Single-family, Victorians, some multi
Avg System
9-12 kW
More residential character with larger lots near the Arlington line. Best solar conditions in Somerville with less building-to-building shading and more south-facing roof area.
Triple-decker tip: Flat-roof triple-deckers are actually ideal for solar. Panels can be tilted at optimal angles using ballasted racking with no roof penetrations. Building owners can share credits with tenants via virtual net metering.
Somerville's Inspectional Services Department handles solar permits. The city is generally supportive of residential solar with a streamlined process taking 2-4 weeks.
Installer evaluates roof type (flat vs. pitched), shading from adjacent buildings, and structural capacity. Triple-deckers get specialized assessment.
Application to Somerville Inspectional Services. Standard residential solar permit. Multi-family buildings may need additional documentation.
Typical installation 1-2 days. Building and electrical inspection by the City of Somerville.
Eversource approves grid connection. 2-4 weeks. Net metering activated once approved.
Somerville residents get access to all MA state incentives, plus enhanced benefits for environmental justice community households.
$0.03/kWh standard rate for 20 years. $0.06/kWh for low-income households. An 8.5 kW system generates ~$306/yr (standard) or ~$612/yr (low-income).
~$306-$612/yr
Standard to low-income rate
1:1 credit at full retail rate of $0.2836/kWh. Credits roll over monthly.
~$2,893/yr
Annual electricity savings (8.5 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.
~$1,741
Savings on typical system
Solar-added value exempt from property tax for 20 years.
~$292/yr
20-year exemption (~$5,840 total)
Section 25D (the 30% residential solar tax credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA. Somerville 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 creditWith Somerville's high renter population and dense multi-family housing, community solar is an essential option for residents who cannot install rooftop panels.
Savings
10-20%
On electricity bill
Upfront Cost
$0
No installation needed
Contract
Flexible
Cancel anytime
Subscribe to a local MA solar farm and receive credits on your Eversource bill. No credit check, no long-term commitment. Ideal for Somerville renters, condo owners, and residents in shaded buildings.
Three ways to pay for solar in Somerville. PPAs offer $0 down because the third-party system owner claims the commercial Section 48 ITC.
Upfront
~$26,350-$29,325
Monthly
$0
25-yr Savings
~$95K
Ownership
You own it
Best long-term ROI. 7.5-8.5 year payback. Full SMART + net metering income.
Upfront
$0 down
Monthly
~$180-255/mo (5.5-8% APR)
25-yr Savings
~$55-75K
Ownership
You own it
10-25 year terms. SMART + net metering offset monthly payments.
Upfront
$0
Monthly
Fixed ~$0.14-0.18/kWh
25-yr Savings
~$25-40K
Ownership
Third party owns
Third-party owner claims Section 48 ITC. You buy power at a discount.
| City/Town | Cost/W | Avg System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville | $3.10-3.45 | 8.5 kW | Densest in NE, triple-deckers, EJ community |
| Medford | $3.05-3.40 | 10.5 kW | Adjacent city, more single-family, Tufts area |
| Cambridge | $3.15-3.50 | 9 kW | Dense academic city, historic overlays |
| Arlington | $3.10-3.45 | 11 kW | More residential, CCA program, sustainability focus |
| Brookline | $3.15-3.50 | 10 kW | Inner suburb, Victorians, historic districts |
Solar panels in Somerville cost $3.10-3.45 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 8.5 kW system costs $26,350-$29,325 before MA state incentives. The federal Section 25D residential tax credit expired December 31, 2025 -- homeowners receive $0 in federal credit. MA incentives (SMART 3.0, net metering, $1,000 state credit, tax exemptions) still make solar profitable.
Yes. Somerville triple-deckers are actually well-suited for solar because many have flat or low-slope roofs with good sun exposure. If you own the building, you can install solar and allocate credits to tenants via virtual net metering. If you own a condo unit, the condo association can vote to install shared rooftop solar. Community solar is another option for renters and condo owners without roof access.
SMART 3.0 offers a low-income adder of $0.06/kWh (double the standard $0.03/kWh) for qualifying households. Parts of Somerville are designated environmental justice communities, and income-eligible residents may qualify for this enhanced rate. An 8.5 kW system earning $0.06/kWh generates ~$612/year in SMART income instead of $306.
Yes. While Somerville is the densest city in New England, its housing stock (especially triple-deckers with flat roofs) is actually well-suited for solar. The key challenges are building-to-building shading in some blocks and shared-roof logistics for multi-family buildings. West Somerville and areas near the Arlington line have the best solar conditions.
Yes. Somerville Community Electricity (SCE) provides competitive electricity supply for residents. Solar still makes 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.
We will assess your specific roof, building type, shading conditions, and Eversource rate to show you what solar costs and saves for your Somerville home or building.
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. Low-income rate $0.06/kWh.
Read moreEarn $275/kW summer. Demand response revenue.
Read moreAdjacent city. $3.05-3.40/W, Tufts area.
Read moreNearby. $3.15-3.50/W, inner suburb.
Read more25D expired. What options remain for homeowners.
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.
Environmental justice: MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, EJ mapping tool.
Tax exemptions: MA Department of Revenue, Somerville Assessor data.