Is solar worth it in New Hampshire?
For a typical New Hampshire home in 2026, solar is worth it: about a 10-year payback and $43,204 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 10 yrs6.6 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 26.7¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,273kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- ~85%Reduced export credit
The numbers for a typical New Hampshire home
| Electricity use | 640 kWh a month (New Hampshire average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 6.6 kW, producing 8,405 kWh a year (109% of use) |
| Price | $21,980 at about $3.30/W |
| First-year savings | $2,180 |
| Payback | 10.0 years |
| 25-year net | $43,204 (9.7% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.9% a year, from New Hampshire's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is expensive: 26.7¢ per kWh over the last 12 months, 48% above the U.S. average (18.0¢).
- Exported solar is typically credited at about 85% of retail, so systems pay best when sized for what you use yourself.
- A typical system here produces about 1,273 kWh per kW per year (ranked #46 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in New Hampshire
Reduced export credit. Under New Hampshire's 'net metering 2.0' (since 2017), exported power is credited at the full supply and transmission rate but only 25% of the distribution charge - roughly 80-90% of retail. Systems in place are guaranteed these terms until 2040/2041.
Monthly net exports credited at 100% energy supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution; not credited against non-bypassable charges.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: Credits carry forward; customers may elect annual payout of accumulated credits (small systems) - verify utility.
- System size limit: 1000 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard customer charges (~$13-14/month Eversource).
- Last major change: PUC Order 27,074 (Nov 18, 2024, Docket DE 22-060) kept NEM 2.0 compensation and the Dec 31, 2040 legacy end date for newly installed systems, allowed interconnection application fees, and opened a further process on tariff changes.
- Pending: Follow-on PUC process from Order 27,074 on future tariff changes; HB 1718 (2026) on battery export crediting passed legislature (signature not confirmed).
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eversource (PSNH) | ~85% of retail | NEM 2.0 formula. |
| Unitil Energy Systems | ~85% of retail | NEM 2.0 formula. |
| Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric) | ~85% of retail | NEM 2.0 formula. |
| NH Electric Cooperative | Varies by utility | Own net metering tariff. |
Solar incentives in New Hampshire
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local property tax exemption | property tax exemption | Optional municipal exemption for solar (RSA 72:62); adopted by many towns. Eligibility: Depends on town | active |
| Eversource battery rebate / demand response | battery incentive | Reported battery incentive (~$230/kWh up to $3,000) and ConnectedSolutions-style program - verify. Eligibility: Eversource NH customers | unknown |
| No state income or sales tax | other | New Hampshire has no sales tax and no broad income tax. Eligibility: All | active |
Ended programs: NH residential solar rebate.
What solar costs in New Hampshire
A fair cash price is around $3.30 per watt before incentives. For the 6.6 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $18,500 to $26,100; smaller systems cost more per watt.
Public installation records (LBNL Tracking the Sun and state data, 55 owned systems since 2024) show a median of $3.90/W, with the middle half between $3.35 and $4.69. These prices include loan dealer fees, which is why cash quotes are often lower.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 25,210
- Share of homes
- 3.8%
- Residential solar capacity
- 221 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +12.0%
- New systems with a battery
- 0%
- New systems leased or PPA
- 0%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in New Hampshire
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource New Hampshire | 464,024 | 27.2¢ | 634 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| New Hampshire Electric Cooperative | 74,619 | 27.0¢ | 614 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Unitil Energy Systems | 69,081 | 24.8¢ | 625 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electri | 39,815 | 25.8¢ | 675 kWh/mo | Worth it |
Solar by city in New Hampshire
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. No state general contractor license; electrical work requires NH electrician license (Electricians' Board, OPLC). Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Limited: solar easements allowed (RSA 477:49); 2019? law restricting HOA bans not confirmed - verify.
- Community solar. Yes - group net metering (including low-moderate income community solar).
Installers active in New Hampshire
Ranked by installations in public records, not by payment. Volume isn't quality: always check licenses and reviews.
- Revision Energy 2,300 installs
- Granite State Solar 1,363 installs
- Solaflect Energy 200 installs
- Go Solar Go 200 installs
- Harmony Energy Works 195 installs
- Sundial Solar Nj 181 installs
- Tesla Energy 169 installs
- Solar Dave 131 installs
- All Energy Solar 115 installs
- Vh Energy 110 installs
- Summit Energy Group 82 installs
- Nuwatt Energy 77 installs
- Plymouth Solar Energy 60 installs
- Venture Home Solar 58 installs
- Empower Energy Solutions 58 installs
Questions about solar in New Hampshire
Is solar worth it in New Hampshire in 2026?
For a typical New Hampshire home, solar is worth it. A 6.6 kW system costing about $21,980 after state incentives saves about $2,180 in the first year and pays back in about 10 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in New Hampshire?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.30 per watt before incentives, or roughly $18,500 to $26,100 for a 6.6 kW system. Public installation records for New Hampshire show a recent median of $3.90/W, which often includes loan dealer fees.
Does New Hampshire have net metering?
Under New Hampshire's 'net metering 2.0' (since 2017), exported power is credited at the full supply and transmission rate but only 25% of the distribution charge - roughly 80-90% of retail. Systems in place are guaranteed these terms until 2040/2041.
Is there a solar tax credit in New Hampshire?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. New Hampshire does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.
How do I check a solar installer's license in New Hampshire?
No state general contractor license; electrical work requires NH electrician license (Electricians' Board, OPLC).. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://forms.nh.gov/licenseverification/.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include puc.nh.gov, solarreviews.com, pv-magazine-usa.com. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.