Connecticut Solar Panels

The Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) Program, administered by Eversource Energy and United Illuminating (UI), replaced Connecticut’s legacy net metering program in January 2022. It is available to residential solar owners with systems 25 kW or smaller on properties with one to four units. Homeowners choose between two compensation options: the Buy-All Tariff, where all solar production is exported to the grid at a locked-in rate of $0.3289/kWh for 2026 applications (guaranteed for 20 years), or the Netting Tariff, where solar power first supplies your home and only excess is exported at the retail electricity rate.

For 2026, homeowners on the Netting Tariff should be aware of a new Solar Energy Adjustment charge of $0.0402/kWh applied to total solar production, listed as a line item on your bill. This charge offsets program costs. Both tariff options allow systems with battery storage to participate, and income-based incentive adders are available for households at or below 60% of the state median income or located in an Environmental Justice Community or Distressed Municipality.

To enroll, you must apply through your utility — either Eversource or United Illuminating — and your system must be grid-connected. Once enrolled in the Buy-All Tariff, your rate is locked in for the full 20-year term, providing long-term revenue certainty. The RRES program runs through at least 2027 (a six-year program launched in 2022).

Connecticut offers a 100% sales and use tax exemption on solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating systems, and solar space heating systems. With the state’s standard sales tax rate of 6.35%, this exemption can save the average Connecticut homeowner approximately $1,662 on a typical residential solar installation — and more on larger systems or those paired with battery storage.

To claim the exemption, the purchaser (homeowner or contractor) must present Form CERT-140 (Solar Heating Systems, Solar Electricity Generating Systems, and Ice Storage Cooling Systems) to the seller at the time of purchase. This form certifies that the equipment qualifies for the tax-exempt status and must be submitted before the sale is completed.

This exemption applies to both residential and commercial solar customers, as well as solar installers and contractors purchasing equipment. There is no expiration date currently associated with this exemption, making it a reliable, permanent savings benefit for Connecticut solar buyers.

Connecticut state law requires that all passive and active solar energy systems — including rooftop solar photovoltaic panels — be fully exempt from property taxes. This means that even though a solar installation can significantly increase your home’s market value, that added value will not be assessed or taxed by your local municipality. Based on Connecticut’s median home value and an average property tax rate of approximately 2%, the typical homeowner saves an estimated $544 per year in property taxes thanks to this exemption.

To claim the exemption, you must file a claim with your local tax assessor or board of assessors in the town where the solar system is installed. The filing deadline is before November 1 of the assessment year in order for the exemption to take effect for that tax cycle. The exact application form and process may vary slightly by municipality, so contact your local assessor’s office for specific instructions.

This exemption has no expiration date and covers both the equipment and installation costs associated with your solar energy system. It applies to all residential solar installations statewide, regardless of system size or utility provider, making it one of the most straightforward and universally available solar incentives in Connecticut.

The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) Program is a state-sponsored incentive program overseen by PURA and administered by the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, and United Illuminating (UI). It runs through December 31, 2030. The program provides financial incentives to homeowners who install a battery storage system and grant their utility access to dispatch the battery during periods of high grid stress. Important: The incentive structure changed on April 1, 2026. For applications submitted before April 1, 2026, the upfront incentive was $250/kWh (standard), $450/kWh (underserved communities), or $600/kWh (low-income households at or below 60% State Median Income), with a maximum upfront incentive of $16,000, plus a performance incentive of approximately $212/kW/year for 10 years.

For applications submitted on or after April 1, 2026, the program transitions to a simplified framework with a smaller enrollment incentive of $130/kWh (Grid Edge Residential tier) and higher ongoing performance payments of $300–$550/kW-year tied directly to Active Dispatch participation over a 10-year period. Active Dispatch events are called by Eversource or UI during summer and winter peak demand days. Customers in Grid Edge areas — defined as the top 10% of circuits with the most frequent or longest storm-related outages — receive an additional 50% bonus on their incentive amounts.

To be eligible, you must be an Eversource or UI customer in Connecticut, the battery must be installed at the same address as your electric service account, and the system must be new. All batteries and workmanship must carry a minimum 10-year warranty. Both standalone battery systems and solar-plus-storage systems qualify. Multifamily affordable housing properties are also eligible for the low-income incentive rate.

The Smart-E Loan, offered through the Connecticut Green Bank in partnership with a network of local lenders and contractors, provides affordable financing for homeowners looking to install solar panels, battery storage, or both. Loan amounts go up to $50,000, with fixed monthly payments and loan terms ranging from 5 to 12 years. Interest rates range from 4.49% to 6.99% APR (standard), making it one of the most competitive solar financing options available in Connecticut. The minimum FICO credit score requirement is 580.

To be eligible, you must own and live in your home, and the property must have no more than four residential units. The loan can cover the full cost of solar panel systems, battery storage, installation, and related equipment. One unique benefit is that up to 25% of the loan amount can be used for non-energy-related home improvements — for example, roof repairs or replacement needed before a solar installation can proceed.

The Smart-E Loan is available statewide to Eversource and United Illuminating customers and can be combined with other Connecticut solar incentives, such as the RRES Program and the Energy Storage Solutions Program, to maximize your overall savings. To apply, work with a participating Smart-E contractor who can guide you through the loan application process alongside your solar installation.

The Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Program, overseen by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), allows residents who cannot install rooftop solar — including renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and homeowners with shaded or structurally unsuitable roofs — to benefit from solar energy. Participants subscribe to a share of a local, large-scale solar project and receive monthly bill credits of 5–15% on their electricity costs for up to 20 years, at no upfront cost to the subscriber.

The program is specifically designed to expand solar access to low-and-moderate income (LMI) households. Income-eligible customers (for example, single-person households earning under $75,643/year or two-person households under $99,180/year under Eversource’s guidelines) may receive automatic enrollment or priority access. Non-income-eligible residents who simply lack a suitable roof for solar can also subscribe on a first-come, first-served basis.

The SCEF program aims to add 260 megawatts of locally generated renewable energy to Connecticut’s grid over eight years. Subscribers are connected to projects through their existing Eversource or United Illuminating account, and credits appear automatically on monthly bills. There is no equipment to purchase, no installation required, and no long-term financial risk to participants.