Manchester, NH Solar Panels
Solar Power in Manchester
If you own a home in Manchester, NH, you may already be feeling the impact of some of the highest energy costs in the country. New Hampshire has the 9th highest utility rates in the nation, and electricity prices have climbed 23% from 2020 to 2024 — making it a worthwhile time to understand your options.
This guide walks Manchester homeowners through how solar panels for your home work, what the installation process looks like locally, and how to decide if solar is the right fit for your household.
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 could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Manchester homeowners pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — 23.3¢/kWh, well above the national average, making solar worth understanding.
- A typical Manchester home can save around $66,000 over 25 years with solar, with an estimated payback period of just over 11 years.
- You don’t need to buy solar panels to benefit from them — leasing through LightReach means no upfront cost and Palmetto handles all maintenance.
Manchester Electricity Prices
Electricity in Manchester isn’t cheap — and the numbers show it’s been climbing for years.
From 2021 to 2024, New Hampshire electricity rates rose from 19.9 to 23.3 cents per kWh — roughly 17% higher. That’s consistently well above the national average, which held closer to 16.5 cents per kWh in 2024.
Solar panels allow Manchester homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing how much they pull from the grid. That means less exposure to rate increases that are largely outside your control.
Over a 25-year system lifespan, that protection adds up. As grid rates continue to fluctuate, homeowners with solar have a more predictable energy cost — a meaningful advantage in a state with rates this far above the national average.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Manchester Area Utility Providers
Manchester, NH residents are served primarily by Eversource. Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — Eversource’s rate was 28.9¢ per kWh, compared to the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh and the NH state average of 28.20¢ per kWh.
New Hampshire’s electricity rates rank among the highest in the country. Factors like aging grid infrastructure, heavy reliance on imported natural gas, and limited regional transmission capacity all contribute to keeping costs elevated for Manchester homeowners — well above the national average.
When local electricity costs consistently run nearly double the national average, understanding your energy options makes sense. For many Manchester homeowners exploring solar panel installation, generating your own power can offer a more predictable alternative to utility rate fluctuations over time.
Manchester Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Manchester homeowners have access to meaningful solar incentives in New Hampshire that can help reduce the upfront and ongoing costs of going solar.
The primary local incentive is the Eversource Connected Solutions Battery Storage Rebate. Eligible residential customers can receive $230 per kWh of enrolled battery capacity — up to $3,000 — through a demand response program administered by the NH Clean Energy Fund.
For homeowners who lease through LightReach, Palmetto applies the commercial investment tax credit on its end and passes those savings through as lower monthly payments — simplifying the process.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource Connected Solutions Battery Storage Rebate | Rebate | Eversource residential customers in Manchester can receive $230 per kWh of enrolled battery storage capacity (capped at $3,000) through the Connected Solutions demand response program, administered by the NH Clean Energy Fund. | Learn More |
The Eversource Connected Solutions Battery Storage Program, administered in partnership with the New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund (NHCEF), provides residential Eversource customers with an upfront 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 by check once your battery receives permission to operate from Eversource’s interconnection group and is accepted into the demand response program.
To qualify, your battery storage system must have been purchased after October 1, 2022, and you must agree to participate in demand response events for a minimum of three years. During demand response events — which occur between June 1 and September 30, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM — Eversource may draw on your battery’s stored energy to help manage grid demand. You can expect approximately 40 events per summer, each lasting no longer than three hours. Eligible battery models include Sonnen eco (Gen 2+), ecoLinx, sonnenCore, sonnenCore+, Enphase IQ Batteries, FranklinWH aPower, and other approved models.
Note that this program has limited funding — as of late 2024, remaining funds were approximately $750,000, so availability may be restricted. This incentive is only available to Eversource NH customers, which includes residents of Manchester. Contact Eversource or visit their website to confirm current funding availability and to begin the enrollment process.
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 and warm summers. But like Boston or Seattle, it still gets enough sun year-round to make solar a smart, productive investment with the right system.
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. — right down to the neighborhood level. Explore the heatmap below to see how many of your neighbors in Manchester have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see the number of installations in that area!
Leasing Solar Panels
If paying the full cost of solar upfront isn’t the right fit for your household, Palmetto offers an alternative through LightReach — a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) available to Manchester homeowners served by Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities.
With a PPA, you don’t own the system — Palmetto does. Instead of a fixed monthly payment, you agree to purchase the electricity your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar panels generate more power in summer than winter, your PPA bill will naturally be higher in summer months and lower in winter — but your annual savings typically equal what you’d see with a fixed lease. You can compare leasing and buying solar to understand which approach fits your situation best.
Beyond avoiding a large upfront investment, a PPA through LightReach means Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring. There’s no need to manage repairs or worry about equipment performance on your own. Palmetto also backs the system with a 90% production guarantee — so if your panels underperform, you’re protected. For many Manchester homeowners, this combination of predictable energy costs and hands-off ownership makes a PPA a practical way to go solar.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes strong financial sense for Manchester homeowners. With electricity rates at 23.3¢/kWh — well above the national average — and an estimated $66,000 in savings over 25 years, the numbers are compelling. Manchester also receives a solid 4.5 peak sun hours per day, making it a productive environment for solar year-round.
Upfront cost is no longer a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach lease program lets Manchester homeowners go solar with no money down, starting savings from day one — with Palmetto handling all maintenance and monitoring.
Yes, Manchester, NH has net metering. Most Manchester homeowners are served by Eversource Energy, which offers monthly net metering. Each month, excess solar energy sent to the grid is credited at approximately 21¢/kWh (in 2023), covering the Default Energy Service charge, Transmission Charge, and 25% of the Distribution Charge.
Unused credits roll over year to year. After the March billing cycle, customers with an accumulated credit balance over $100 can request a cash payment. Note: customers using a competitive retail energy supplier are not eligible for the Default Energy Service portion of the credit.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home 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 $400,000 home in Manchester, that could mean over $16,000 in added value.
This benefit is especially relevant in Manchester, where high electricity rates make solar an attractive feature for buyers. Keep in mind that owned systems typically add more value than leased systems, as the new owner inherits the savings — not the lease obligation.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Manchester homeowners can go solar for a low fixed monthly payment starting around $93–$151/mo — with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns the system and handles all maintenance, making it the most accessible way to go solar today.
For homeowners who prefer a cash purchase, a typical Manchester system runs $19,000–$30,000 depending on home size. Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Manchester homeowners, solar is worth it financially — especially through a lease. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, there’s no upfront cost. Your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current Eversource bill, meaning you start saving from day one.
Manchester’s electricity rate of 23.3¢/kWh — well above the national average — makes the financial case even stronger. A typical home can save an estimated $66,000 over 25 years, with Palmetto handling all maintenance and monitoring throughout.
Palmetto Solar is a top choice for Manchester, NH homeowners. As a national company with a strong local install network, we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states and maintain an approval rating over 85%. Manchester residents like Ne Thomas and Jim Martin have shared positive experiences with our seamless installation process.
We offer some of the most flexible financing in the industry, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, no maintenance responsibilities, and a 90% production guarantee. For a city with electricity rates as high as Manchester’s, that combination of quality and affordability is hard to match.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Manchester homeowners pay one simple monthly payment that covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee — with no upfront cost. For a typical 8.18 kW system, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $122/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments. Since the lease payment is typically less than your current Eversource bill, most Manchester homeowners start saving from day one.