Manchester, NH Solar Panels
Solar Power in Manchester
New Hampshire homeowners pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — 23.33 cents per kWh — and prices have climbed 23% from 2020 to 2024. If you’re a Manchester homeowner wondering whether solar makes sense, you’re asking the right question.
Palmetto has helped thousands of homeowners navigate this decision with confidence. This guide walks you through how home solar panels work, what installation looks like in Manchester, and what to consider before moving forward.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Manchester, NH?
Using real installation data from Manchester and surrounding communities — including Hooksett, Bedford, Goffstown, and Londonderry — this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar installation actually costs for a home like yours.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Manchester pays 41% above the national average for electricity — solar panels help you generate your own power and reduce exposure to rising utility rates.
- A typical Manchester home can save around $66,000 over 25 years with solar, with an estimated payback period of about 11 years.
- Leasing solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program means no upfront cost, no maintenance, and payments starting as low as $122/month.
Manchester Electricity Prices
Manchester homeowners pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — and the data shows a clear upward trend.
New Hampshire’s electricity rate rose from 19.9¢ per kWh in 2021 to a peak of 28.2¢ in 2023. By 2024, it settled at 23.3¢ — still nearly 41% above the national average of 16.5¢.
Solar panels reduce how much electricity you draw from the grid. For Manchester homeowners, that means less exposure to rate fluctuations and more control over a monthly bill that has proven unpredictable.
A solar system is typically designed to produce energy for 25 years or more. Locking in a portion of your energy costs now provides a level of stability that grid electricity simply hasn’t offered Manchester residents.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Manchester Area Utility Providers
Manchester residents get their electricity from Eversource, the region’s primary utility provider. Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — Eversource customers in Manchester pay 28.9¢ per kWh for electricity.
That 2023 rate sits above both the New Hampshire state average of 28.20¢/kWh and well above the national average of 16.0¢/kWh — driven largely by New England’s reliance on natural gas and limited transmission infrastructure.
When local electricity costs run nearly double the national average, generating your own power through solar can meaningfully offset what you pay to Eversource each month — a practical reason many Manchester homeowners explore solar.
Manchester Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Manchester homeowners have access to solar incentives in New Hampshire that can help offset the cost of solar installation, even after recent changes to federal tax policy.
The primary incentive currently available comes through Eversource, the local utility provider. Their Connected Solutions program offers battery storage rebates funded through the New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund, rewarding homeowners who pair solar with battery storage.
Note that the federal residential solar tax credit was eliminated by recent federal legislation. Solar leasing through LightReach works differently — Palmetto claims the commercial tax credit and passes savings to you through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource Connected Solutions – Battery Storage Demand Response Program | Rebate | Eversource offers residential customers in Manchester an upfront rebate of $230 per kWh of enrolled battery capacity (up to $3,000) through the New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund (NHCEF) in exchange for participating in demand response events. | Learn More |
Eversource’s Connected Solutions Program, administered through the New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund (NHCEF), provides residential customers in Manchester with an upfront incentive rebate of $230 per kWh of battery capacity enrolled in the program, capped at $3,000 per residential account. Commercial accounts can receive $250 per kWh, up to $10,000. The rebate is paid as a check once your battery has received permission to operate from the interconnection group and has been accepted into the demand response program. Eligible battery manufacturers include Enphase, FranklinWH, and other approved models.
In exchange for the rebate, participants must allow Eversource to access their battery during periods of peak electricity demand for a minimum of three years. Demand response events occur from June through September, between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM, with approximately 40 events per summer, each lasting no longer than three hours. During these events, your stored battery power helps reduce strain on the grid and displaces the need for polluting peaker plants.
To apply, Eversource customers can email [email protected] or visit the official program page. Participants may also be eligible for low- or zero-interest financing through the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) to help cover the cost of battery installation. Note that the state’s municipal property tax exemption may also apply to your battery storage system, further reducing your overall cost.
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 gets cold, snowy winters, but its sunny summers and reflective snow actually boost solar output. Despite New England’s reputation, a well-designed system performs surprisingly well year-round.
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 Panel Systems in Manchester
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. — including right here in Manchester. Explore the heatmap below to see which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see how many of your neighbors have gone solar!
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’re not ready to purchase a solar system outright, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through its LightReach program — available to Manchester homeowners served by Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities. With a PPA, you don’t own the system. Instead, you agree to buy the electricity it produces at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar output varies by season, your bill will be a bit higher in summer and lower in winter — but annual savings are comparable to a fixed monthly lease.
The practical advantages over a cash purchase are meaningful. There’s no large upfront investment, no loan to manage, and no maintenance responsibilities. Palmetto owns the system and handles all upkeep. A 90% production guarantee is also included, so you have built-in protection if the system underperforms.
Note that NH Electric Cooperative customers are not currently eligible for LightReach. If you’re unsure which utility serves your home, your electric bill will confirm it. To learn more about how a PPA compares to other financing options, visit our solar buy or lease guide.
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 for Manchester homeowners. New Hampshire electricity rates sit at 23.3¢/kWh — nearly 41% above the national average — and have climbed significantly since 2020. A typical Manchester home can save around $66,000 over 25 years with solar, with a payback period of roughly 11 years.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach lease program removes that barrier entirely — Manchester homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with payments starting as low as $122/month.
Yes, Manchester, NH has net metering. Most Manchester homeowners are served by Eversource Energy, which offers monthly net metering at nearly a 1:1 ratio. If your system produces more than you consume in a month, you receive a bill credit of approximately 21¢ per kWh (2023). Unused credits roll over year to year.
Other NH utilities — Unitil (~13¢/kWh) and Liberty Utilities (~17.7¢/kWh) — also offer monthly net metering with similar rollover policies. NH Electric Cooperative customers receive a reduced export credit of ~14.76¢/kWh instead.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Manchester, NH. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a median-priced Manchester home, that can represent a meaningful boost at resale.
This added value is especially relevant in Manchester, where high electricity rates make solar an attractive feature for buyers. A home that already generates its own power — and comes with lower monthly utility bills — stands out in the local real estate market.
The most accessible way for Manchester homeowners to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting around $122/month for a typical home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those considering a cash purchase, a mid-sized system in Manchester runs approximately $24,580. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your home size.
For many Manchester homeowners, solar is worth it — especially given that New Hampshire electricity rates run 41% above the national average. A typical home can save around $66,000 over 25 years with solar.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, there’s no upfront investment required. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning most Manchester homeowners start saving from day one — with payments as low as $122/month.
Palmetto is a top choice for solar installation in Manchester, NH. As a national company with a local focus, we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states and have an approval rating over 85%. Manchester homeowners consistently praise our seamless installation process and responsive support.
We offer some of the best financing options available, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, no maintenance, and payments starting as low as $122/month. For those who prefer to purchase, we provide transparent pricing with a trusted local install network.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 8.18 kW system in Manchester, NH, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $122/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage over cash purchases, where the residential ITC was eliminated. Most Manchester homeowners start saving immediately, since the lease payment is typically less than their current Eversource bill.