Solar Guide
Solar in Manchester
Manchester homeowners are turning to solar as New Hampshire electricity prices jumped 23% from 2020 to 2024. With rates at 23.33 cents per kWh, solar offers real savings potential.
Understanding your options helps you make smart energy choices. Let’s explore what Manchester residents should know about home solar panels.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Manchester electricity rates hit 23.3¢ per kWh, making solar an attractive option for reducing monthly energy costs.
- Federal tax credits save homeowners 30% on solar installation costs, with New Hampshire property tax exemptions available.
- Net metering lets you earn credits for excess solar energy, offsetting future electricity bills automatically.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Manchester neighborhoods including Pinardville, Rimmon Heights, and Kalivas Union. Get accurate pricing estimates based on actual local projects, not generic numbers.
System
Cost
Savings
Manchester Electricity Prices
Manchester residents face electricity costs well above the national average, making energy bills a growing concern for local families.
New Hampshire electricity rates jumped from 19.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 28.2 cents in 2023, significantly outpacing national averages.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, helping Manchester homeowners reduce dependence on rising utility rates and unpredictable price increases.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide stable energy costs while traditional electricity rates continue climbing, offering long-term financial protection.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Manchester Area Utility Providers
Manchester residents receive electricity from Eversource, which charged 28.9¢ per kWh in 2023—significantly higher than the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
New Hampshire’s high electricity costs stem from limited natural gas pipeline capacity and reliance on expensive imported energy during peak demand periods.
With electricity rates 81% above the national average, Manchester homeowners can benefit from understanding how solar energy provides predictable, long-term energy costs.
Manchester Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Manchester residents can reduce solar costs through federal and state solar incentives in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire offers property tax exemptions on solar’s added home value. Many Manchester municipalities participate in this program, protecting homeowners from increased assessments.
Net metering allows Manchester solar owners to earn credits for excess energy production, offsetting future bills.
$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 allows cities and towns to exempt the added value of solar energy systems from property tax assessments. This means that while your solar panels may increase your home’s overall value, you won’t pay additional property taxes on that increased value. Each municipality has the option to adopt 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 local tax rate is 2%, you could save $400 annually in property taxes. Since this is an optional program that each city and town must choose to adopt under RSA 72:27-a, you’ll need to check with your local tax assessor to confirm whether your municipality offers this exemption and understand their specific application process.
Net metering in New Hampshire allows solar homeowners to receive credits for excess electricity their solar panels send back to the grid. When your solar system produces more power than you use, that extra energy flows to the grid and you receive bill credits. When you need more power than your panels produce, you draw from the grid and use those credits to offset your costs.
The financial benefits vary by utility company. Eversource customers receive credits worth about 21 cents per kWh for excess solar production, while Unitil customers get around 13 cents per kWh, and Liberty Utilities customers receive approximately 17.7 cents per kWh. NH Electric Cooperative operates differently, crediting exports at about 25% of the retail rate (around 14.76 cents per kWh in 2023). All utilities charge small non-bypassable fees ranging from 0.5 to 2 cents per kWh that cannot be offset by solar credits.
To participate, you must be a customer of one of these participating utilities and have a solar system installed. Customers who purchase electricity from competitive retail suppliers may receive reduced credits since they won’t get the Default Energy Service portion of the credit. Credits automatically roll over from month to month and year to year, so you won’t lose unused credits. However, if you accumulate more than $100 in credits, you can request a cash payment after the March billing cycle each year.
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 QuoteManchester 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.
Manchester’s four distinct seasons and varying daylight hours create unique solar conditions. Despite New England’s reputation for harsh winters, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production.
Solar Production in Manchester 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 Installations in Manchester
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to show Manchester neighborhoods embracing clean energy. Explore this interactive heatmap to discover how many of your neighbors have already made the switch to solar power!
Leasing Solar Panels
Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for Manchester residents served by all major utilities including Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities. With a PPA, you pay for the actual electricity your solar panels produce at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour, rather than a monthly lease payment.
This financing option eliminates the upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities of solar ownership. Your monthly payments vary seasonally—higher in sunny summer months when your panels produce more electricity, lower in winter months. Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring through our LightReach program.
Unlike purchasing solar outright, a PPA provides immediate savings without the large initial investment or concerns about equipment maintenance. You start saving on day one while Palmetto ensures your system operates at peak performance. Learn more about solar financing options to find the best fit for your situation.
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 Manchester due to high electricity rates and available incentives. With Eversource charging 23.3¢ per kWh—41% above the national average—solar provides meaningful monthly savings.
Manchester homeowners benefit from the 30% federal tax credit, New Hampshire’s property tax exemption, and net metering credits. Most systems pay for themselves within 8-9 years while providing 25+ years of energy production.
Yes, Manchester, NH has net metering through Eversource Energy, which serves most of the city. The program allows solar homeowners to receive credits for excess electricity their panels send back to the grid.
Eversource customers receive credits worth approximately 21 cents per kWh for excess solar production, with small non-bypassable charges of 1.5 cents per kWh. Credits roll over monthly and annually, so unused credits don’t expire.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Manchester, NH. Research from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
For Manchester’s median home price, this could represent thousands of dollars in added value. Additionally, New Hampshire’s property tax exemption means you won’t pay higher property taxes on the solar system’s added value, maximizing your financial benefit.
Solar costs in Manchester range from $14,226 to $21,929 after the 30% federal tax credit, depending on your home size and energy needs. A typical 8.18 kW system for a medium-sized home costs approximately $18,065 after incentives.
With Manchester’s high electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh, most homeowners see monthly savings of $116-$187. Combined with New Hampshire’s property tax exemption and net metering credits, systems typically pay for themselves within 8-9 years while providing 25+ years of energy production.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Manchester due to high electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—41% above the national average. Most homeowners save $116-$187 monthly with systems paying for themselves within 8-9 years.
The 30% federal tax credit, New Hampshire’s property tax exemption, and net metering credits provide substantial savings. Over 25 years, typical Manchester systems generate $50,000-$82,000 in total savings while increasing home value.
We’re Palmetto Solar, a national solar company with deep local expertise in Manchester. We combine competitive financing options with a proven installation network to serve New Hampshire homeowners.
Our team understands Manchester’s unique energy challenges, from high Eversource rates to New Hampshire’s specific incentive programs. We handle everything from design to installation, making solar simple and accessible for local families.