Manchester, NH
Solar in Manchester
Looking to harness solar power in Manchester, NH? With New Hampshire electricity prices having increased 23% from 2020 to 2024, now is the perfect time to explore clean energy alternatives for your home.
At Palmetto, we guide Manchester residents through every step of solar panel installation, helping you navigate incentives and maximize your investment in the Granite State’s growing renewable energy landscape.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- Manchester residents can save an average of $66,159 over 25 years by investing in solar, with systems typically paying for themselves in under 9 years.
- New Hampshire offers valuable solar incentives including a 30% federal tax credit and property tax exemptions that can save homeowners approximately $7,742.
- Manchester electricity prices have increased 42% since 2021, making solar an effective solution for stabilizing energy costs and reducing monthly utility bills.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar in Manchester with Palmetto’s exclusive calculator. Using real installation data from neighborhoods like Bedford, Hooksett, and Goffstown, we provide accurate estimates tailored to Manchester homeowners. No guesswork—just transparent, local insights to help you make informed energy decisions.
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Estimated Investment and Savings
Based on Palmetto Solar installations in New Hampshire. Current electricity rate: 23.3¢/kWh. Assumes 75% credit of retail rate.
Manchester Electricity Prices
Manchester residents face electricity costs significantly higher than the national average, with rates reaching 28.2 cents per kWh in 2023.
Between 2021 and 2023, Manchester electricity rates jumped from 19.9 to 28.2 cents per kWh—a 42% increase. Even with recent relief, local rates remain 41% above the national average.
Solar installation offers Manchester homeowners a practical solution to these rising costs. By generating your own clean electricity, you can reduce monthly utility bills while protecting against future rate increases.
Over time, solar panels provide predictable energy costs and typically pay for themselves through savings. Many Manchester homeowners see returns on their solar investment within 7-10 years.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Manchester Area Utility Providers
In Manchester, NH, Eversource is the primary utility provider with 2023 rates at 28.9¢ per kWh—significantly higher than the national average of 16.0¢ and slightly above the state average of 28.20¢.
Manchester residents face these elevated electricity costs due to New Hampshire’s limited local energy production and reliance on natural gas infrastructure, which drives up transmission costs and creates seasonal price volatility.
With electricity prices consistently higher than national averages, solar installation offers Manchester homeowners a stable alternative, providing predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on increasingly expensive utility power.
Manchester Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Manchester homeowners can significantly offset installation costs through solar incentives in New Hampshire, including property tax exemptions and net metering programs.
New Hampshire offers property tax exemptions where cities like Manchester can exempt solar’s added value from property taxes, plus a net metering program that provides credits for approximately 75% of your electric bill.
These incentives may change over time, so researching current options and acting promptly is recommended. Contact local experts for the most up-to-date information on maximizing your solar investment.
Save an average of
$7,742
in solar rebates in New Hampshire
| 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 offer property tax relief for homeowners who install solar energy systems. This local option incentive means that if your municipality has adopted the exemption, the value of your solar installation won’t be included when calculating your property taxes. In simple terms, adding solar panels to your home won’t increase your property tax bill in participating communities.
The financial benefit varies by municipality since each town or city decides whether to offer the exemption and determines its specific terms. When available, the exemption typically excludes the entire assessed value of the solar energy system from property taxation. To qualify, you must own real property equipped with a solar energy system as defined in New Hampshire law. There is no statewide deadline for this ongoing incentive, but you should check with your local tax assessor about application procedures and deadlines specific to your municipality. Before installing solar, it’s important to verify whether your city or town has adopted this exemption under RSA 72:27-a, as participation is voluntary and not available in all New Hampshire communities.
Net Metering in New Hampshire allows solar homeowners to receive credit for excess electricity their system sends back to the grid. This program operates slightly differently across the state’s four utility companies (Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, Liberty Utilities, and NH Electric Cooperative), but the core benefit remains the same: you can offset your electricity costs with the solar energy you produce.
When your solar panels generate more electricity than you’re using, that excess power flows back to the grid, and you receive credits on your monthly bill. For Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty customers, excess generation is credited at nearly a 1:1 ratio (with small non-bypassable charges of 0.5-2 cents per kWh). If you produce more than you consume in a month, you’ll receive monetary credits ranging from approximately 13-21 cents per kWh depending on your utility. NH Electric Cooperative customers receive about 14.76 cents per kWh for exported electricity.
Important considerations: Customers using competitive retail suppliers instead of default utility service may not be eligible for the full credit amount. Credits roll over year to year, and you can request a payment after the March billing cycle if your accumulated credit balance exceeds $100 (except for NH Electric Cooperative customers, who can request payment regardless of balance size).
There are no deadlines to enroll in net metering, but understanding your specific utility’s program details is essential to maximize your solar investment. The exact credit rates may change over time, so it’s worth checking with your utility for the most current values.
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.
Despite snowy winters, Manchester’s solar potential shines with 200+ sunny days annually. Proper panel placement maximizes energy production year-round, making solar a smart investment for New Hampshire homeowners.
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
Discover how Manchester, NH is embracing solar energy! We’ve mapped every solar installation in your area, revealing which neighborhoods are leading the clean energy movement. See how your community compares and find inspiration from neighbors who’ve already made the switch to sustainable power.
Leasing Solar Panels
Manchester residents have access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through all major utility providers in the area, including Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities. With a PPA, you pay for the power your solar system generates at a set price per kilowatt-hour instead of paying a fixed monthly lease amount.
This flexible payment structure means your solar bills naturally align with your system’s production—higher in summer months when panels generate more electricity and lower in winter. Unlike purchasing panels outright, a PPA requires zero upfront investment and eliminates maintenance responsibilities, as Palmetto handles all repairs and system monitoring.
For Manchester homeowners seeking solar benefits without the commitment of ownership, Palmetto’s LightReach program offers immediate savings with no installation costs or maintenance worries, making clean energy accessible to more households.
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 excellent sense in Manchester despite New Hampshire’s northern location. With electricity rates 41% above the national average and the 30% federal tax credit, solar systems typically pay for themselves in under 9 years.
Manchester receives ample sunlight for efficient solar production, and the city’s property tax exemption for solar installations provides additional financial benefits, making solar a smart long-term investment for homeowners.
Yes, Manchester has net metering. Eversource Energy, the primary utility in Manchester, offers monthly net metering where excess production is credited at nearly 1:1 with consumption (minus about 1.5 cents per kWh for non-bypassable charges).
If you produce more than you consume monthly, you’ll receive credits worth approximately 21 cents per kWh. Credits roll over year-to-year and can be paid out if they exceed $100 following the March billing cycle.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in Manchester, NH. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
With Manchester’s high electricity rates and property tax exemptions for renewable energy systems, solar installations offer both immediate utility savings and long-term property value benefits for homeowners.
In Manchester, NH, a typical solar installation costs between $18,000-$25,000 after the 30% federal tax credit. For an average 8 kW system, homeowners can expect to pay around $18,065 after incentives.
System size and installation complexity affect final pricing, but most Manchester residents see their solar investment pay for itself within 8-9 years through utility bill savings.
Yes, solar is financially worthwhile in Manchester due to New Hampshire’s high electricity rates (41% above national average) and available incentives like the 30% federal tax credit.
Most Manchester homeowners see their solar systems pay for themselves in 8-9 years, with average 25-year savings of $66,159. Property tax exemptions and rising utility costs make solar an increasingly valuable long-term investment.
As a national company with local expertise in Manchester, we at Palmetto provide comprehensive solar solutions with some of the best financing options in the industry. Our established installation network ensures quality service for every customer.
While we can’t claim to be the “best” company for everyone, our commitment to transparent pricing, exceptional customer service, and long-term system monitoring has earned us high satisfaction ratings from Manchester homeowners seeking reliable solar installations.