340 kW – Franklin, MA

Plankton Energy Launches 340-kW Community Solar System at 42 Hayward Street in Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA — Plankton Energy has energized a 339.84-kilowatt (kW) rooftop community solar system at 42 Hayward Street, an industrial property in Franklin, Massachusetts. The newly commissioned array is now delivering clean, low-cost electricity to residential households in the surrounding region—bringing economic value to both the host property and the community it serves.

Strategically located in an active commercial and industrial hub, this system marks another milestone in Plankton Energy’s growing portfolio of community solar projects across Massachusetts, helping to expand access to renewable energy while monetizing underutilized rooftop space for industrial property owners.

Generating Clean Power for Massachusetts Homes

The rooftop system is expected to generate approximately 375,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity annually—enough to power more than 100 average Massachusetts homes each year. As a community solar project, the energy generated by the system is fed into the grid, and participating local residents receive monthly credits on their utility bills based on their share of the energy produced.

For Franklin-area subscribers, this means lower electricity costs without the need for rooftop panels, ownership, or long-term contracts. For the environment, it means reduced dependence on fossil fuels and measurable cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

“This is what community solar is all about—delivering local, affordable clean energy to households while unlocking new financial value for commercial rooftops,” said a spokesperson from Plankton Energy. “Projects like 42 Hayward show that industrial buildings can become powerful platforms for energy equity and climate action.”

New Income from a Flat Roof

Beyond the community benefits, the 42 Hayward Street project provides a new revenue stream for the building owner through a solar site lease with Plankton Energy. This lease structure generates recurring payments over the life of the system, increasing net operating income (NOI) without requiring the owner to make any capital investment.

The building remains fully operational, with the solar installation having no impact on daily activity or tenant use. For landlords, this model presents a capital-efficient, zero-disruption path to sustainability and asset performance improvement.

Plankton Energy handles every aspect of project development—from engineering and permitting to interconnection, installation, and subscriber management—ensuring a hands-off experience for property owners while delivering long-term economic and environmental returns.

A SMART-Powered Project for a SMARTer Grid

The project was made possible in part through the Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) Program, the state’s flagship solar incentive initiative. SMART provides performance-based incentives to qualifying solar systems, helping to accelerate renewable energy adoption and support more equitable access to clean power.

Under SMART, community solar projects like 42 Hayward are especially encouraged, as they serve multiple households and promote distributed energy generation across the state.

Massachusetts has long been a national leader in clean energy, and installations like this one contribute directly to the state’s ambitious climate goals—while helping residents and property owners alike realize financial savings.

Plankton’s Turnkey Approach to Community Solar

Plankton Energy is a turnkey solar developer serving institutional real estate owners, nonprofits, schools, and commercial buildings across the United States. Specializing in community solar and host site partnerships, the company helps transform idle rooftops into valuable energy assets—delivering shared benefits to property owners, subscribers, and local utilities.

By focusing on industrial buildings, parking lots, houses of worship, and educational institutions, Plankton is making solar accessible to segments of the real estate market that have historically been underutilized in clean energy infrastructure. The firm’s model removes complexity and cost barriers, offering fully managed solutions with no upfront capital required.

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between underused rooftop space and underserved energy consumers,” the Plankton spokesperson added. “With projects like 42 Hayward, we’re doing exactly that—creating shared value from clean energy, one rooftop at a time.”

Project Snapshot: 42 Hayward Street, Franklin, MA

• System Size: 339.84 kW DC
  
  
• Estimated Annual Generation: ~375,000 kWh
  
  
• System Type: Rooftop Community Solar
  
  
• Mounting Type: Fixed Tilt Roof Mount
  
  
• Building Type: Industrial
  
  
• Program Participation: SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target)
  
  
• Host Benefit: Long-term lease revenue, improved NOI
  
  
• Community Benefit: Utility bill savings for local households
  
  

About Plankton Energy
Plankton Energy is a full-service solar energy developer committed to accelerating the deployment of renewable energy across the U.S. Through turnkey solutions, Plankton helps commercial and institutional property owners unlock new revenue, improve sustainability performance, and extend the benefits of clean energy to the communities they serve.