New Hampshire Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar in New Hampshire
New Hampshire homeowners pay 23.33 cents per kWh for electricity—significantly above the national average of 16.6 cents. With prices up 23% since 2020, more residents are exploring solar panels for home use for long-term savings and energy independence.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about solar installation in New Hampshire—from understanding costs and incentives to choosing the right system for your home.
New Hampshire Solar Panel Cost
Our calculator uses real installation data from homes across New Hampshire—from Manchester to Nashua, Concord to Portsmouth. Get personalized cost estimates based on actual projects in your area, helping you understand what solar might look like for your home.
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Cost
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Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire electricity costs 23.3¢ per kWh—41% above the national average, making solar savings particularly valuable for homeowners.
- Property tax exemptions and net metering help offset installation costs and provide ongoing credits for excess energy you produce.
- Average New Hampshire solar systems save $66,000 over 25 years with a typical payback period of 12 years.
Looking for More Detailed New Hampshire City Guides?
Explore our comprehensive solar guides for major cities across New Hampshire to find location-specific information on incentives, installers, and solar potential.
New Hampshire Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs is essential when evaluating home energy options. New Hampshire residents face some of the highest rates in the nation.
New Hampshire homeowners currently pay 23.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity—significantly higher than the national average of 16.5 cents. Since 2021, state rates have increased approximately 17%, impacting household budgets considerably.
Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and protecting against future rate increases. By producing power on-site, families can offset their utility bills with predictable energy costs.
Over a typical 25-year system lifespan, solar installations can provide substantial savings compared to purchasing electricity at fluctuating utility rates. This long-term financial predictability helps New Hampshire families better plan their household budgets.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire Area Utility Providers
New Hampshire residents face some of the highest electricity costs in the nation. Public Service Company of New Hampshire charges 28.9¢ per kWh (2023 data)—nearly double the national average of 16.0¢.
These elevated rates stem from New Hampshire’s reliance on natural gas and limited in-state energy production. The state imports most of its electricity, and transmission costs add to monthly bills for residential customers.
With electricity costs consistently above the national average, many homeowners explore solar as a way to lock in predictable energy expenses. Generating your own power helps reduce dependence on utility rate fluctuations over time.
New Hampshire Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
New Hampshire offers valuable solar incentives in New Hampshire that help offset installation costs, including property tax exemptions and net metering programs available to residents statewide.
Property tax exemptions allow municipalities to exclude your solar system’s added value from property assessments. Net metering provides credits for excess energy your panels send to the grid, reducing future electricity bills at roughly 75% of retail rates.
These incentives can change as state policies evolve. Research current programs thoroughly and act promptly to maximize available benefits for your solar investment.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | New Hampshire’s General Court has given authority to each city and town to exempt solar’s incremental value from property taxes | Learn More |
New Hampshire allows cities and towns to exempt the added value of solar energy systems from property tax assessments. This means that if you install solar panels on your home, your local municipality may choose not to increase your property taxes based on the added value those panels bring to your property. While solar panels typically increase your home’s value, this exemption ensures you won’t pay higher property taxes because of that increase.
The financial benefit depends on your local property tax rate and the value of your solar system. For example, if your solar installation adds $20,000 to your home’s value and your local tax rate is 2%, you could save approximately $400 per year in property taxes. This exemption continues for as long as you own the system, providing ongoing savings year after year.
It’s important to note that this exemption is optional for each city and town in New Hampshire—not all municipalities have chosen to adopt it. You’ll need to check with your local tax assessor’s office to confirm whether your community offers this exemption. If available, the exemption applies to any property owner who installs a qualifying solar energy system on their real property. There are no income restrictions or application deadlines mentioned in the statute, but you should verify local requirements and procedures with your municipal officials.
Net metering in New Hampshire allows you to receive credits on your electric bill for the excess solar energy your system sends to the grid. The way this works varies by utility company. With Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities, your monthly solar production is netted against your consumption at nearly a 1:1 rate, though you’ll pay small non-bypassable charges ranging from 0.5 to 2 cents per kWh depending on your utility. When your solar system produces more electricity than you use in a month, you receive monetary bill credits worth approximately 13 to 21 cents per kWh, depending on your utility provider and rate structure.
These credits automatically roll over from month to month and year to year, so you won’t lose the value of your excess solar production during high-generation summer months. After your March billing cycle each year, you can request a payment for any accumulated credits over $100. It’s important to note that if you purchase electricity from a competitive retail supplier instead of your utility’s default service, you won’t receive credits for the Default Energy Service portion, which significantly reduces the value of your excess generation. NH Electric Cooperative operates differently, offering a net billing program where exported energy is credited at approximately 25% of the retail rate (around 14.76 cents per kWh in 2023), with credits also rolling over annually.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with New Hampshire incentives.
Get a Free QuoteNew Hampshire Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. New Hampshire’s varied seasons create distinct solar patterns. Winter’s shorter days and snow reduce output, while long summer days boost production. With proper system design, solar thrives here year-round.
What Can the Average New Hampshire Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 Installations in New Hampshire
We’ve mapped every solar installation across New Hampshire to help you discover how your neighbors are embracing clean energy. Explore this interactive map to see which communities are leading the solar movement in your area.
Leasing Solar Panels
In New Hampshire, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through most major utilities including Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour—no upfront costs, no maintenance responsibilities.
Unlike purchasing a system outright, a PPA means Palmetto owns and maintains your solar panels. We handle installation, repairs, and monitoring at no cost to you. If your system doesn’t meet our 90% production guarantee, we’ll credit you the difference. This worry-free approach lets you enjoy solar savings immediately without the investment or upkeep.
Your monthly solar costs fluctuate with production—higher in summer, lower in winter—but you’re protected by our comprehensive service plan. Palmetto designs, installs, and maintains every system, giving you predictable energy costs and peace of mind for years to come.
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 sense for most New Hampshire homeowners. With electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—41% above the national average—solar panels help lock in predictable energy costs and reduce monthly bills.
The average system saves approximately $66,000 over 25 years with a payback period around 12 years. State incentives like property tax exemptions and net metering credits further improve the financial benefits for residents.
Yes, New Hampshire has net metering through most major utilities including Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities. Your monthly solar production is credited against consumption at nearly 1:1 rates, minus small non-bypassable charges of 0.5-2 cents per kWh depending on your utility.
When you produce more than you use, you receive monetary bill credits worth approximately 13-21 cents per kWh. These credits roll over year to year, and you can request payment after March if your balance exceeds $100.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in New Hampshire. Research shows that homes with solar systems sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For a $300,000 home, that translates to about $12,300 in added value. Additionally, New Hampshire offers property tax exemptions in many municipalities, meaning your solar installation won’t increase your property taxes despite adding value to your home.
The average solar system in New Hampshire costs around $25,807 for an 8.18 kW installation, or approximately $3.15 per watt. This represents the upfront cost before any available incentives.
With electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—well above the national average—most New Hampshire homeowners see a payback period of about 12 years and total savings of approximately $66,000 over 25 years.
For most New Hampshire homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile. With electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—41% above the national average—solar panels help offset rising utility costs while providing long-term savings.
The typical system costs around $25,807 and saves approximately $66,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 12 years. State incentives like property tax exemptions and net metering further improve returns by reducing upfront costs and crediting excess energy production.
At Palmetto Solar, we bring a national network with local expertise to New Hampshire homeowners. We offer comprehensive solar solutions with some of the industry’s most flexible financing options, making clean energy accessible to more families.
Our nationwide install network ensures professional service backed by our quality guarantees. We handle everything from design to installation and ongoing support, giving you confidence in your solar investment for years to come.