Nashua, NH Solar Panels
Solar Power in Nashua
Nashua homeowners are turning to solar panels for home energy as electricity costs rise. With New Hampshire electricity prices up 23% since 2020, understanding your solar options matters now more than ever.
This guide covers everything about going solar in Nashua—from local incentives to installation timelines—so you can make an informed decision about your home’s energy future.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Nashua, NH?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Nashua homes—including neighborhoods like South Nashua, Crown Hill, and Amherst Street—to show you accurate solar costs. Get personalized estimates based on actual local projects, not generic numbers.
System
Cost
Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Nashua electricity rates exceed the national average by 40-70%, making solar panels a smart way to lock in predictable energy costs.
- A typical 8 kW solar system in Nashua costs around $24,580 and can save homeowners approximately $66,000 over 25 years.
- New Hampshire offers property tax exemptions and net metering programs that help offset solar installation costs and maximize your investment.
Nashua Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Nashua helps you make smarter energy decisions. New Hampshire rates remain significantly higher than the national average.
Between 2021 and 2024, New Hampshire electricity rates fluctuated from 19.9 to 28.2 cents per kWh—consistently exceeding the U.S. average by 40-70%. These persistent higher costs impact every Nashua household’s monthly budget.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from grid price volatility. Once installed, your system produces power at the same rate for decades, regardless of utility price changes.
Over 25 years, solar can shield you from future rate increases while reducing your reliance on grid electricity. This long-term price stability offers Nashua homeowners predictable energy expenses and greater budget control.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Nashua Area Utility Providers
Nashua residents receive electricity from Eversource, which charged 28.9¢ per kWh in 2023—the most recent data available. This rate exceeds the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh by over 80%.
New Hampshire’s higher electricity costs stem from limited natural gas pipeline infrastructure and reliance on imported energy. The state’s 2023 average of 28.20¢ per kWh reflects these regional constraints affecting Nashua homeowners.
Higher electricity rates mean Nashua homeowners pay more each month, but they also see faster returns when generating their own power. Solar panels produce electricity at a fixed cost, protecting against future rate increases.
Nashua Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Installing solar panels in Nashua comes with financial benefits beyond energy savings. New Hampshire offers solar incentives in New Hampshire that help offset installation costs.
Nashua residents can access property tax exemptions and net metering programs. These incentives work differently—some reduce upfront costs while others provide ongoing savings through utility bill credits. Understanding each program helps you calculate your total investment.
Incentive programs can change as state policies evolve. Research current offerings thoroughly and consider acting while these benefits remain available to maximize your solar investment.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
New Hampshire allows cities and towns to exempt the added value of solar energy systems from property tax assessments. This means that if you install solar panels on your home, your local municipality may choose not to increase your property taxes based on the added value those panels bring to your property. While solar panels typically increase your home’s value, this exemption ensures you won’t pay higher property taxes because of that increase.
The financial benefit depends on your local property tax rate and the value of your solar system. For example, if your solar installation adds $20,000 to your home’s value and your local tax rate is 2%, you could save approximately $400 per year in property taxes. This exemption can continue for as long as you own the system, providing ongoing savings throughout its lifetime.
It’s important to note that this exemption is optional for each city and town in New Hampshire—not all municipalities have chosen to adopt it. You’ll need to check with your local tax assessor’s office to confirm whether your community offers this exemption. If available, there are typically no income requirements or application deadlines, though you may need to inform your assessor about your solar installation during the normal property assessment process.
Net metering in New Hampshire allows you to receive credit for the excess solar electricity your system sends to the grid. When your solar panels produce more energy than your home uses, that surplus flows back to the utility grid, and you receive credits on your electric bill. The specific value and structure of these credits depends on which utility company serves your area.
For Eversource Energy customers, your solar production offsets your consumption at nearly a 1:1 rate each month, minus small non-bypassable charges of about 1.5 cents per kWh. Any excess generation beyond what you use earns you a credit of approximately 21 cents per kWh (as of 2023). Unitil Energy Services customers receive similar treatment with non-bypassable charges of about 2 cents per kWh, and excess generation credits around 13 cents per kWh (as of 2024). Liberty Utilities customers pay the lowest non-bypassable charges at 0.5 cents per kWh and receive excess generation credits of approximately 17.7 cents per kWh (as of 2023). NH Electric Cooperative customers operate under a different structure where all exported electricity is credited at about 25% of the retail rate, which was 14.76 cents per kWh in 2023.
One important consideration: if you purchase electricity from a competitive retail supplier instead of your utility’s default service, you won’t receive the Default Energy Service portion of the credit, which significantly reduces the value of your excess generation. Credits automatically roll over from month to month and year to year. After your March billing cycle, you can request payment for any accumulated credits exceeding $100, though NH Electric Cooperative customers can request payment regardless of the amount.
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 QuoteNashua 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.
Nashua experiences four distinct seasons with varying daylight hours and sun angles throughout the year. Despite snowy winters, solar panels perform excellently here with proper system design.
Solar Production in Nashua 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 Nashua
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America, and we’re excited to share this interactive view of Nashua’s solar community. Explore the map to discover which neighborhoods have embraced clean energy—you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors have already made the switch!
Leasing Solar Panels
Nashua homeowners can access solar through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with most local utilities. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour—no upfront costs or maintenance responsibilities.
Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities customers in Nashua can choose LightReach PPAs. This means you avoid the large upfront investment while immediately benefiting from lower electricity costs. Palmetto handles all system maintenance, monitoring, and repairs throughout the agreement.
Compared to paying cash, a PPA eliminates financial risk and maintenance concerns. You won’t need to worry about panel cleaning, inverter replacements, or system monitoring—Palmetto manages everything. Learn more about whether to buy or lease solar panels to determine which option fits your situation best.
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 Nashua. With electricity rates averaging 23.3¢ per kWh—significantly higher than the national average—solar panels help lock in predictable energy costs while reducing monthly bills.
A typical 8 kW system costs around $24,580 and can save approximately $66,000 over 25 years. New Hampshire’s property tax exemptions and net metering programs further improve the investment, making solar a practical choice for Nashua homeowners.
Yes, Nashua has net metering through multiple utility providers. Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities all offer monthly net metering programs that credit excess solar production at nearly 1:1 with consumption, minus small non-bypassable charges.
When your panels produce more electricity than you use, the surplus flows to the grid and earns credits on your bill. These credits roll over year to year, and you can request payment after March if your balance exceeds $100. The specific credit rates vary by utility—ranging from approximately 13 to 21 cents per kWh for excess generation.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Nashua. Research from Zillow shows solar panels increase home value by an average of 4.1% across the United States. For a median-priced Nashua home, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value.
Beyond the direct value increase, solar panels make homes more attractive to buyers by offering predictable energy costs and lower monthly utility bills. New Hampshire’s property tax exemption means you won’t pay higher taxes on the added value from your solar system, preserving more of your investment when you sell.
The cost to go solar in Nashua depends on your home size and energy needs. A typical 8 kW system costs around $24,580, with prices ranging from $19,384 for smaller homes to $29,811 for larger properties.
These costs are based on actual Palmetto installations in New Hampshire at approximately $3.00 per watt. New Hampshire’s property tax exemptions and net metering programs help offset these costs through ongoing savings on your electricity bills.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Nashua. With electricity rates at 23.3¢ per kWh—significantly above the national average—solar panels protect you from rising utility costs while generating immediate savings.
A typical 8 kW system costs around $24,580 and saves approximately $66,000 over 25 years, with a payback period of about 11 years. New Hampshire’s property tax exemptions and net metering programs enhance these returns, making solar a sound long-term investment for Nashua homeowners.
At Palmetto Solar, we combine national expertise with local focus to serve Nashua homeowners. We offer flexible financing options including cash purchases and Power Purchase Agreements, allowing you to choose what works best for your budget.
Our extensive installation network ensures quality workmanship, while our team handles everything from design to permits to activation. With over 20,000 customers nationwide and an 85%+ approval rating, we’re committed to making solar simple and accessible for every Nashua home.