New Hampshire Solar Incentives, Tax Credits and Rebates

Are there any residential solar incentives in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has fewer residential solar incentives than it did in previous years. You may still qualify for an Eversource home battery incentive, local property tax exemptions and net metering.

Solar storage battery incentive

Eversource offers an upfront incentive to eligible New Hampshire customers who install a qualifying home battery system. The incentive is worth $230 per eligible kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity, up to $3,000. Funding is limited.

Batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000.

To qualify, customers must install an eligible battery and enroll it in Eversource’s demand response program. Qualifying batteries must have been purchased after Oct. 1, 2022, and participants are required to take part in demand response events for at least three years.

During demand response events, Eversource can use some of the energy stored in participating batteries to help reduce strain on the electric grid. That means some of your stored energy may not be available for backup power during an event.

Eversource states that there are no annual performance payments associated with this upfront incentive program.

Local property tax exemption

New Hampshire allows cities and towns to adopt a property tax exemption for solar energy systems. Depending on the municipality’s rules, the exemption can reduce or eliminate the increase in assessed property value associated with installing solar equipment.

Not all New Hampshire municipalities offer this exemption.

Without an exemption, adding a solar energy system could increase your home’s assessed value and potentially raise your property taxes. The exemption doesn’t reduce the upfront cost of installing solar, but it can help limit the system’s impact on your future property tax bills.

For municipalities that adopted or readopted the exemption on or after Jan. 1, 2020, state law defines qualifying solar energy systems to include photovoltaic equipment, inverters and energy storage.

Pro tip

Solar incentives and eligibility requirements can change, and some programs have limited funding. Check current terms with your utility, municipality and installer before signing a contract.

» LEARN: How is solar energy stored?

Net metering in New Hampshire

Customers of Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and Unitil may qualify for net metering. Net metering gives you credit for extra solar electricity you send to the grid, which can help lower your electric bill.

How net metering works

• Your utility tracks how much electricity you use from the grid and how much excess solar power you send back.
• When your panels produce more electricity than your home needs, you can earn bill credits.
• Those credits can help offset electricity you use later, such as at night or during cloudy weather.
• You may still have some utility charges even if your solar credits cover most of your electricity use.

How net metering rules vary by utility

For Eversource, Liberty and Unitil customers, New Hampshire's current net metering tariff is known as NEM 2.0. Customers who enroll while NEM 2.0 remains available can stay on its terms through Dec. 31, 2040. State regulators are reviewing the program, so the rules available to future customers could change.

New Hampshire Electric Cooperative also offers net metering, but it has its own rates and program rules.

“We’ve had two months now with a power bill where Eversource owe us money,” Ray in Hooksett told us. “We’re selling lots of electricity back to the grid.”

Did you know?

On average, New Hampshire homeowners with solar panels avoid an estimated $35,806 in utility costs over 25 years.

Solar panel costs in New Hampshire

Average solar panel costs in New Hampshire generally range from $14,400 to $28,800.

System size is a major cost factor when going solar. A typical New Hampshire household needs a 12.83 kW solar system, which costs $36,950 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.

Your total price also depends on whether you add battery storage to your system. Solar batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000, which can nearly double the total system price.

Average solar panel costs by system size in New Hampshire

How can I pay for solar panels?

Going solar is a major purchase. You could pay cash, but a lot of people finance or lease with minimal upfront costs.

• Solar loans work like any other home improvement loan. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.
• Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without high upfront costs. A solar company installs and maintains the panels on your property. You pay a monthly fee to use them.

Federal mortgage options for solar panels

Some federal mortgage programs let eligible borrowers include solar panels or other energy upgrades in a home purchase or refinance loan. Rules vary by lender.

• FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage: Finance cost-effective energy upgrades through an FHA-insured mortgage. A home energy assessment is required, and expected savings must cover the upgrade cost. Separate FHA rules apply to solar and wind systems.
• VA Energy Efficient Mortgage: Eligible VA borrowers can add up to $6,000 for approved energy upgrades. For costs over $3,000, projected monthly savings must exceed the added mortgage payment.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Compare solar companies in New Hampshire

Working with a local solar company in New Hampshire makes it easier to understand local incentives.

FAQ