On August 28, 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released its 2025 Annual Program Year Report under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. This report outlines key components for Program Year 2025, including compensation rates and capacity allocations.
Given the short timeframe between the release of SMART 3.0 and the start of Program Year 25, the DOER implemented a distinct process for this initial Annual Program Year Report, as outlined in 225 CMR 28.05. This approach was used to ensure timely implementation of new program elements while maintaining regulatory compliance. Of note, Program Year 2025 will run from October 15, 2025, until December 31, 2025.
As established in the report, the program's total capped capacity is set at 900 MW, with allocations of 441.12 MW to Eversource, 406.31 MW to National Grid, and 52.57 MW to Unitil. To promote equitable solar access and support a variety of project types, DOER has reserved portions of the program’s capacity for specific categories: 10% for 25–500 kW Standalone STGUs, 10% for Low-Income Property STGUs, and 15% for Community Shared Solar STGUs.
The report sets the base compensation rates for Standalone Solar Tariff Generation Units at $0.2821/kWh for 25–250 kW systems, $0.2482/kWh for 250–500 kW, $0.2113/kWh for 500 kW–1 MW, and $0.1729/kWh for 1–5 MW systems, with additional flat incentives of $0.03/kWh for STGUs up to 25 kW and $0.06/kWh for low-income STGUs.
The 2025 Annual Report provides insight into how the Massachusetts DOER is shaping the SMART program under its new 3.0 framework. This report marks a significant step in transitioning to the revised program structure and laying out impactful details such as designated set-asides for certain project categories including community shared solar.
Companies should be aware of the revised rates, utility allocations, and targeted set-asides as they develop projects in the upcoming program year. Furthermore, the DOER expects to publish additional guidance on the SMART 3.0 program by the end of September.
1Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target 3.0 Annual Program Year Report: Program Year 2025 (Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, 2025).
2225 CMR 28.00Z: SMART Program 3.0 (Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, 2025).