A city of tenants and condo boards
Here is the demographic fact that shapes every Cambridge solar conversation: only 33.7 percent of households own their home, and just 16.4 percent of the housing stock is single family, per the US Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates, 2023. Median household income is high at $126,469, but income does not create roof authority. Much of the city is streetcar era multifamily housing, subdivided estates near Harvard, and industrial East Cambridge stock, so the decision maker is often a condo association or a landlord rather than the person reading this page. For larger buildings the city built a specific on ramp: the Cambridge Solar Assistance Program, announced April 2025, gives no cost support through Resonant Energy to owners of commercial and large residential buildings with at least 25 kW of potential and roofs under 10 years old, offering direct purchase, PPA, and solar hosting models. If you own a two or three unit building outright, you hold the rare Cambridge advantage: full roof authority plus the cheaper $15 per $1,000 residential permit rate.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates, 2023, city program announcement
