Hartford, CT Solar Panels
Solar Power in Hartford
Hartford homeowners are turning to solar energy as electricity costs continue to climb. With Connecticut’s electricity prices increasing 27% from 2020 to 2024, home solar panels provide a practical path to long-term savings and energy independence.
This comprehensive guide covers what you need to know about solar installation in Hartford—from costs and local incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
CONNECTICUT by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Hartford, CT?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Hartford area homes—including West Hartford, Glastonbury, and Newington—to show you accurate solar costs. Get personalized estimates based on actual projects completed in your community, not national averages.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Hartford electricity rates are 75% above the national average at 28.8¢ per kWh, making solar energy a practical way to reduce monthly costs.
- A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,968 and can save Hartford homeowners approximately $125,000 over 25 years with a 7.3-year payback period.
- Connecticut offers property and sales tax exemptions plus 1:1 net metering credits that help maximize your solar investment from day one.
Hartford Electricity Prices
Hartford residents face some of the highest electricity costs in the nation, and understanding these rates is essential for making informed energy decisions.
Connecticut’s electricity rates have risen significantly, climbing from 21.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 28.8 cents per kWh in 2024—nearly 75% higher than the national average of 16.5 cents.
Solar panels allow Hartford homeowners to generate their own electricity at a predictable cost, reducing dependence on utility rates that fluctuate with market conditions and infrastructure investments.
Over a typical 25-year system lifespan, solar can shield your household from future rate increases while providing stable, locally-generated power that benefits both your budget and Connecticut’s clean energy goals.
Price of Energy: Connecticut vs National Average
Hartford Area Utility Providers
Hartford residents receive electricity primarily from Eversource, which charged 31.6¢ per kWh in 2023—nearly double the national average of 16.0¢ and above Connecticut’s state average of 29.90¢.
Connecticut’s higher electricity costs stem from the state’s reliance on natural gas generation, limited energy infrastructure, and regional transmission expenses. These structural factors have kept rates elevated compared to other states.
With electricity prices consistently above national benchmarks, Hartford homeowners can benefit from understanding how solar energy provides predictable costs. Generating your own power helps reduce exposure to utility rate fluctuations over time.
Hartford Utilities Electricity Rates
Connecticut Solar Incentives
Connecticut offers several solar incentives in Connecticut that help reduce the upfront and long-term costs of going solar in Hartford.
Hartford homeowners can benefit from property and sales tax exemptions that lower initial investment costs, plus net metering programs that provide ongoing credits for excess energy production. These state-level programs work together to improve your return on investment.
Incentive programs evolve as policies change. Research current offerings thoroughly and consider acting while these benefits remain available to maximize your solar savings.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | Added home value from solar not subject to property tax. Requires application with local assessor. | Learn More |
| Sales Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | No state sales tax on solar equipment and installation. Reduces upfront purchase price. | Learn More |
Connecticut’s Property Tax Exemption for solar energy systems allows homeowners to exclude the added value of their solar installation from their property tax assessment. When you install solar panels, your home’s value typically increases, but this exemption ensures you won’t pay higher property taxes on that increased value. This means your property taxes remain based on your home’s value without the solar system, helping you save money while your solar panels generate clean energy.
To qualify for this exemption, your solar energy system must be installed on property located in Connecticut. The exemption applies automatically to the assessed value added by the solar installation—there’s no cap on the amount of added value that can be exempted. You’ll need to work with your local tax assessor’s office to ensure the exemption is properly applied to your property. Since property tax rates and assessment procedures vary by municipality in Connecticut, the actual dollar amount you save will depend on your local tax rate and the value your solar system adds to your home.
Connecticut’s Sales Tax Exemption eliminates the state’s 6.35% sales tax on solar energy systems and related equipment purchased for your home. This means when you buy solar panels, inverters, batteries, and other components of a solar electricity generation system, you won’t pay any Connecticut sales tax on these items. The exemption applies to both the equipment itself and the materials used to install your system.
To qualify for this exemption, you must be purchasing equipment that is part of a solar energy electricity generation system (which converts sunlight directly into electricity) or an active or passive solar water or space heating system. The exemption is available to all Connecticut homeowners and has been in effect since July 1, 2010, with no expiration date currently set. Your solar installer should automatically apply this exemption at the time of purchase by providing the appropriate exemption certificate to their suppliers, which means the savings are typically reflected in your final installation price. This exemption can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the size of your solar system—for example, on a $25,000 solar installation, you would save approximately $1,588 in sales tax.
Connecticut’s Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program offers 1:1 net metering for homeowners with solar panels served by Eversource or United Illuminating Company. This means when your solar system produces more electricity than you use, the excess energy flows back to the grid and you receive credits on your utility bill at the full retail rate—the same price you pay when buying electricity from the utility. These credits help offset your energy costs during months when your system produces less power, like winter.
The financial benefit is straightforward: every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess solar energy you generate earns you a credit equal to your retail electricity rate, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate your monthly electric bills. Excess credits roll over from month to month indefinitely, allowing you to build up credits during sunny summer months and use them during darker winter months. For systems installed after January 1, 2022, these credits continue rolling over as long as you maintain your utility account at the same address. If you move and close your account, any remaining credits are forfeited. Systems installed before January 1, 2022 operate under different rules, where excess credits were settled annually in March at a lower avoided cost rate.
This program is available to residential customers of Eversource and United Illuminating Company who install qualifying solar energy systems. There are no application deadlines, though the specific terms you receive depend on when your system was installed relative to the January 1, 2022 policy change. It’s important to understand that while credits roll over indefinitely under current rules, they are tied to your specific utility account and location, so plan accordingly if you anticipate moving in the future.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Connecticut incentives.
Get a Free QuoteHartford Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Hartford’s four distinct seasons create varying solar production throughout the year. While winters bring shorter days, Connecticut’s sunny summers and crisp fall weather make solar surprisingly effective year-round.
Solar Production in Hartford by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Hartford
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to help you explore the clean energy movement in your area. Discover which Hartford neighborhoods and communities have already made the switch to solar energy!
Leasing Solar Panels
Hartford homeowners served by Eversource and United Illuminating Company can access Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through Palmetto. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour, rather than paying upfront for the system itself.
This arrangement means no large initial investment, no maintenance responsibilities, and immediate savings on your electricity bills. Your monthly costs vary seasonally—higher in sunny summer months when panels produce more, lower in winter—but average out to consistent annual savings compared to utility rates.
Palmetto’s LightReach program handles installation, maintenance, and monitoring while you enjoy predictable solar energy costs. This option works well for Hartford residents who want solar benefits without the commitment of ownership or the complexity of system maintenance.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes strong financial sense in Hartford. With electricity rates at 28.8¢ per kWh—75% above the national average—Hartford homeowners face some of the highest energy costs in the country.
A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,968 and can save approximately $125,000 over 25 years with a 7.3-year payback period. Connecticut’s property tax exemption, sales tax exemption, and 1:1 net metering help maximize your investment from day one.
Yes, Hartford residents served by Eversource and United Illuminating Company have access to 1:1 net metering through Connecticut’s Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, the excess energy flows back to the grid and you receive credits at the full retail rate.
For systems installed after January 1, 2022, these credits roll over month-to-month indefinitely unless you close your utility account. This means you can build up credits during sunny summer months and use them to offset costs during winter when production is lower.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Hartford. Research shows that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
Connecticut’s property tax exemption means the added value from your solar installation won’t increase your property taxes, allowing you to benefit from higher resale value without additional tax burden. For Hartford’s housing market, solar panels represent both immediate energy savings and long-term property value appreciation.
Solar panel costs in Hartford vary by home size. A small home (up to 2,000 sq ft) typically needs a 6.80 kW system costing around $20,841. Medium homes (2,000-3,000 sq ft) average $27,968 for a 9.43 kW system, while large homes (over 3,000 sq ft) run about $36,599 for a 12.61 kW system.
Connecticut’s sales tax exemption and property tax exemption help reduce upfront costs. With Hartford’s high electricity rates at 28.8¢ per kWh, most systems pay for themselves in 7-8 years through energy savings.
Yes, solar is financially worth it for Hartford homeowners. With electricity rates at 28.8¢ per kWh—75% above the national average—a typical 10 kW system costs around $27,968 and can save approximately $125,000 over 25 years.
Connecticut’s property tax exemption, sales tax exemption, and 1:1 net metering credits help maximize returns from day one. Most Hartford systems achieve payback in 7-8 years, providing nearly two decades of additional savings.
At Palmetto Solar, we’ve completed over 1,235 installations across Connecticut since 2020, bringing reliable solar energy to homes throughout the state. Our national reach combined with local expertise means we understand Hartford’s unique energy needs and climate conditions.
We offer flexible financing options to fit different budgets, plus a trusted network of professional installers who ensure quality workmanship. Our team guides you through every step—from initial design to system activation—making the solar transition straightforward and stress-free.