Nashua, NH
Solar in Nashua
Considering home solar panels in Nashua, NH? With electricity prices in New Hampshire having risen 23% since 2020, solar energy offers a practical solution for homeowners seeking energy independence and lower utility bills.
Nashua residents are uniquely positioned to benefit from solar installation, especially with New Hampshire ranking 9th highest for utility prices nationwide. Discover how solar power can work for your Nashua home while providing long-term financial benefits.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire’s electricity rates are 41% higher than the national average, making solar a smart financial decision for Nashua homeowners.
- Nashua residents can save approximately $66,441 over 25 years with solar panels, with an average payback period of 8.7 years.
- The 30% federal tax credit reduces solar installation costs by an average of $7,742 for Nashua homeowners.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar installation in Nashua with our calculator powered by real, local data from our installations across Nashua, Hollis, Hudson, and Merrimack. Make informed decisions about your clean energy future with accurate, transparent pricing information specific to your neighborhood.
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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.
Nashua Electricity Prices
Nashua residents face electricity costs significantly higher than the national average, with rates reaching 28.2 cents per kWh in 2023 – nearly double the U.S. average.
Despite a slight decrease in 2024, New Hampshire electricity prices remain 41% above the national average. This persistent price gap has strained household budgets across Nashua for years.
Solar energy provides Nashua homeowners a practical alternative to these high utility rates. By generating your own electricity, you can reduce dependence on the grid and stabilize your energy costs.
While electricity rates fluctuate seasonally, solar installations offer predictable energy expenses for 25+ years. This long-term stability provides Nashua families protection against future utility rate increases.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
Nashua Area Utility Providers
In Nashua, NH, Eversource is the primary electricity provider, charging 28.9¢ per kWh in 2023—significantly higher than the national average of 16.0¢ and slightly above New Hampshire’s state average of 28.20¢.
Nashua residents face these elevated rates due to New England’s limited natural gas pipeline capacity, dependence on imported energy, and regional infrastructure costs—all contributing to consistently higher electricity prices than most U.S. regions.
Solar installation offers Nashua homeowners a practical alternative to these high utility costs, providing energy independence and predictable expenses. With electricity prices continuing to rise, solar power represents a stable, long-term energy solution.
Nashua Utilities Electricity Rates
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Nashua homeowners can access significant solar incentives in New Hampshire that help offset installation costs, including state tax exemptions and net metering benefits.
New Hampshire offers property tax exemptions that prevent your property taxes from increasing due to solar installation. Additionally, the state’s net metering program provides credits for excess energy your system produces.
These incentives can change over time, so research thoroughly and act promptly to maximize your savings. Contact solar professionals to understand how these benefits apply to your specific situation.
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 this 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 location since each municipality determines whether to offer the exemption and how to implement it. When adopted, 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 by New Hampshire law. There is no statewide deadline, but you should check with your local tax assessor’s office to confirm if your municipality offers this exemption and to learn about any local application deadlines. Before installing solar, it’s recommended to verify whether your city or town has adopted this optional exemption, as participation varies across New Hampshire.
Net Metering in New Hampshire allows solar homeowners to receive credits 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 power you generate.
When your solar panels produce more electricity than you’re using, that excess power flows back to the grid, and your utility company credits your account. 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 generate 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.
These credits automatically roll over year to year, giving you flexibility in how you use them. After the March billing cycle each year, you can request a payment for accumulated credits exceeding $100 (except for NH Electric Cooperative customers, who can request payment regardless of the amount).
Important note: If you purchase electricity from a competitive retail supplier rather than your utility’s default service, you won’t be eligible for the Default Energy Service portion of these credits, which can significantly reduce your benefit. This is an important consideration when choosing your electricity provider as a solar customer in New Hampshire.
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.
Despite Nashua’s snowy winters, the city’s abundant sunshine and seasonal variations create excellent conditions for solar energy production with properly designed systems.
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 Installations in Nashua
Discover the solar revolution in Nashua! Our interactive heatmap showcases every solar installation in your community. Click any hexagon to see how many of your neighbors have embraced clean energy. Explore which Nashua neighborhoods are leading the way toward a sustainable future.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Nashua, NH, Palmetto offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) option for residents served by Eversource Energy, Unitil Energy Services, and Liberty Utilities. With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar system generates at a fixed price per kilowatt-hour, rather than purchasing the system outright.
This financing alternative eliminates upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities, making solar accessible to more homeowners. Palmetto handles all system maintenance, monitoring, and repairs, providing peace of mind throughout the agreement term.
For Nashua residents looking to go solar without the initial investment, our LightReach PPA program offers immediate savings on electricity costs while contributing to a cleaner environment. This option is particularly valuable in New Hampshire, where high electricity rates make solar an attractive alternative.
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 financial sense in Nashua due to New Hampshire’s high electricity rates (41% above national average) and available incentives including the 30% federal tax credit.
Despite New England winters, Nashua receives adequate sunlight for effective solar production. With average payback periods of 8.7 years and potential 25-year savings of $66,000+, solar is a worthwhile investment for most Nashua homeowners.
Yes, Nashua residents have access to net metering through Eversource Energy. Each month, excess solar production is credited at nearly 1:1 with consumption, minus about 1.5 cents per kWh for non-bypassable charges.
If you generate more electricity than you use in a month, you’ll receive monetary credits worth approximately 21 cents per kWh in 2023. Credits roll over year-to-year, with cash payment available after March billing if your balance exceeds $100.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home values in Nashua. According to Zillow research, homes with solar systems sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For Nashua’s median home value, this translates to roughly $15,000-$20,000 in added value. The property tax exemption in New Hampshire further enhances this benefit by preventing your property taxes from increasing due to your solar installation.
In Nashua, the average cost for solar installation ranges from $14,226 for small homes to $21,929 for large homes after applying the 30% federal tax credit. A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) requires an 8.18 kW system costing around $18,065.
Factors affecting cost include system size, equipment quality, roof complexity, and installation company. Most Nashua homeowners see payback periods around 8.7 years with significant long-term savings due to New Hampshire’s high electricity rates.
Solar is financially worth it in Nashua due to New Hampshire’s electricity rates being 41% above the national average. With federal tax credits reducing installation costs by 30%, most homeowners see a payback period of 8.7 years.
The average Nashua homeowner saves approximately $66,441 over 25 years. Property tax exemptions and net metering further enhance these savings, making solar a sound long-term investment despite New England winters.
As a national company with a strong local presence in Nashua, Palmetto Solar offers residents comprehensive solar solutions with some of the best financing options in the industry.
Our extensive installation network ensures quality service, while our commitment to customer education and support has earned us high satisfaction ratings. We provide transparent pricing, professional installations, and ongoing system monitoring to maximize your solar investment.