New Hampshire
In This Guide
Solar in New Hampshire
New Hampshire homeowners face electricity rates of 23.33 cents per kWh—well above the national average. Solar installation offers a path to energy independence and long-term savings in the Granite State.
This guide covers everything about solar panels for your home, from costs and incentives to installation requirements.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire electricity rates average 23.3¢ per kWh, making solar an attractive option for reducing monthly energy bills.
- Federal tax credits cover 30% of solar installation costs, significantly reducing your upfront investment in clean energy.
- Net metering allows you to earn credits for excess solar energy your panels send back to the grid.
Solar Cost in New Hampshire
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from homes across New Hampshire—from Manchester to Nashua to Concord. Get personalized pricing based on actual local projects, not estimates.
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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
New Hampshire electricity rates significantly exceed national averages, creating financial strain for homeowners across the Granite State.
From 2021 to 2023, New Hampshire electricity rates jumped from 19.9 to 28.2 cents per kWh, representing a 42% increase in just two years.
Solar panel installation allows New Hampshire homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and volatile utility rate increases.
Over 25 years, solar systems can shield homeowners from unpredictable rate hikes while providing stable, predictable energy costs for decades to come.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire Area Utility Providers
New Hampshire residents primarily rely on Eversource for electricity, paying 28.9¢ per kWh in 2023—significantly higher than the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
These elevated rates stem from New Hampshire’s reliance on natural gas and limited energy infrastructure, making electricity costs among the highest in the nation.
With such high utility rates, many homeowners explore solar as a way to reduce their monthly electricity expenses and gain more control over energy costs.
New Hampshire Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
New Hampshire offers valuable solar incentives in New Hampshire to help reduce installation costs and maximize your investment.
Property tax exemptions protect you from paying additional taxes on your solar system’s added home value. Net metering allows you to earn credits for excess energy your panels produce.
These incentives change frequently, so research current programs thoroughly. Acting promptly ensures you capture available benefits before they expire or reduce.
$7,742
Average savings in New Hampshire solar rebates
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| 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 |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
New Hampshire’s Property Tax Exemption for Solar Energy Systems allows cities and towns to exempt the added value of your solar installation from your property taxes. This means that while your solar panels may increase your home’s overall value, you won’t pay higher property taxes on that increased value. Each municipality decides whether to offer this exemption, so availability varies by location.
The financial benefit depends on your local property tax rate and your solar system’s value. For example, if your solar installation adds $20,000 to your home’s value and your property tax rate is 2%, you could save $400 annually in property taxes. Since this is an optional program that each city or town must adopt, you’ll need to check with your local tax assessor to confirm if your municipality participates in this exemption program.
Net metering in New Hampshire allows solar homeowners to receive credits for excess electricity their solar panels send back to the electric grid. When your solar system produces more power than your home uses, that extra electricity flows to the grid and you receive bill credits. When you need more power than your panels produce (like at night), you draw electricity from the grid and use your accumulated credits to offset those charges.
The financial benefits vary by utility company. Eversource customers receive nearly full retail value for excess solar production, with only 1.5 cents per kWh in non-bypassable charges deducted. When you produce more than you use in a month, you earn credits worth about 21 cents per kWh. Unitil customers face 2 cents per kWh in charges and earn about 13 cents per kWh in credits. Liberty Utilities customers have the lowest charges at 0.5 cents per kWh and earn about 17.7 cents per kWh in credits. NH Electric Cooperative operates differently, crediting excess production at about 25% of the retail rate, or roughly 14.76 cents per kWh.
All New Hampshire solar customers with systems up to certain size limits are eligible for net metering. However, customers who purchase electricity from competitive retail suppliers instead of their default utility service may receive reduced credit rates, as they won’t earn credits for the default energy service portion. Credits automatically roll over from month to month and year to year. If your credit balance exceeds $100 after the March billing cycle, you can request a cash payment for the excess credits, providing flexibility in how you use your solar savings.
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 seasonal sunlight variations and snowy winters create unique solar conditions. Despite common concerns, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production effectively.
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 America to show you something exciting: your New Hampshire neighbors are going solar! Click any hexagon to discover how many homes in that area have made the switch to clean energy.
Leasing Solar Panels
New Hampshire residents can access Palmetto’s LightReach energy plan through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with most major utilities. Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities customers can all participate in our PPA program, while NH Electric Cooperative customers currently don’t have access to LightReach.
With a PPA, you pay a set price per kilowatt-hour for the solar energy your system produces, rather than making a large upfront investment or taking on monthly loan payments. This means lower summer bills when your panels produce more electricity, and higher winter bills when production decreases—but you’ll save money year-round compared to traditional utility rates.
Unlike purchasing solar panels outright, our LightReach program includes comprehensive system design, premium black panels, installation, and ongoing maintenance at no additional cost. We guarantee 90% of projected production and provide complete system protection, making solar accessible without the typical ownership responsibilities or upfront investment.
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 New Hampshire. With electricity rates averaging 23.3¢ per kWh—well above the national average—solar panels offer significant savings potential for homeowners.
The 30% federal tax credit, net metering benefits, and potential property tax exemptions make solar installation financially attractive. Most New Hampshire homeowners see payback periods around 8-9 years with 25-year savings exceeding $60,000.
Yes, New Hampshire has net metering for solar customers. The state requires all major utilities to offer net metering, allowing homeowners to receive credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid.
Credit rates vary by utility company. Eversource customers receive about 21¢ per kWh, while Unitil offers 13¢ per kWh and Liberty Utilities provides 17.7¢ per kWh. Credits roll over monthly and annually, with cash payments available for balances over $100.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in New Hampshire. A Zillow study shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% nationally, which translates to roughly $15,000-$20,000 for most New Hampshire homes.
New Hampshire’s property tax exemption for solar energy systems means you gain home value without paying higher property taxes on that increase. This makes solar installation particularly attractive for New Hampshire homeowners looking to boost their property’s market appeal.
The average cost of solar in New Hampshire is $18,065 after federal tax credits. Before incentives, a typical 8.18 kW system costs around $25,807, but the 30% federal tax credit reduces this by $7,742.
Installation costs vary based on your home’s size, energy usage, and roof characteristics. With New Hampshire’s high electricity rates of 23.3¢ per kWh, most homeowners see payback periods around 8-9 years and save over $66,000 during 25 years.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in New Hampshire. With electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—well above national averages—solar panels provide substantial long-term savings for homeowners.
The typical payback period is 8-9 years, after which you enjoy free electricity for decades. Most New Hampshire homeowners save over $66,000 during 25 years, making solar a smart financial investment despite upfront costs.
We’re Palmetto Solar, a national company with local focus serving New Hampshire homeowners. We offer some of the industry’s best financing options and work with a trusted network of certified installers across the state.
Our comprehensive approach includes system design, premium equipment, professional installation, and ongoing support. We’ve helped thousands of customers nationwide go solar with transparent pricing and excellent customer service throughout the entire process.