Solar Energy in Framingham

Solar Development in Framingham

According to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC), the first fully-registered photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system in Framingham was built in 2004 and added 4.2 kW of clean energy production capacity in the city. Accompanying major technological, financial, and legislative developments that have occurred over the course of the 15 years since then, Framingham’s relationship with renewable energy has evolved as solar energy systems have spread from one installation to hundreds across homes and businesses throughout the community.

With over 35,000 kW (35 MW) DC spread across the rooftops, parking lots, and land in the city and production capacity of approximately 487 watts per capita. By February 2024, 1,963 solar energy systems that were fully-registered in the Mass CEC’s Production Tracking System (PTS) were responsible for producing an estimated 40,214,488 kWh in Framingham annually, representing approximately 7% of the community's total electricity use.

Municipal Solar PV Projects

Between 2022 and 2023, the City completed three municipal solar PV projects at Fuller Middle School, Brophy Elementary School, and the Christa McAuliffe Branch Library. Collectively, these systems produce approximately 1,000,000 kWh on an annual basis. In the case of the Fuller Middle School, the facility’s rooftop- and canopy-mounted solar PV systems are supported by a battery energy storage system. Each of the three projects was financed through a power purchase agreement (PPA).