New Hampshire Solar Guide 2026
Everything New Hampshire homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Quick answer
New Hampshire solar economics depend mainly on 4 average peak sun hours, an estimated $3.15/W installed cost, 24.0¢/kWh electricity, and the state's current net-metering rules.
Reviewed 2026-07-26
- Best for
- New Hampshire homeowners comparing solar costs, incentives, and payback assumptions.
- Inputs needed
- annual kWh usage, utility rate, installed $/W, net-metering policy
- Formula used
- Typical production = system kW × peak sun hours × 365.
- Source checked
- state incentive data, utility tariff checks, Wattcrunch price benchmarks
Key fact about New Hampshire solar
New Hampshire's high electricity rates (~$0.24/kWh) and full retail net metering make the math work despite limited sun. NH has among the fastest-growing solar markets in New England on a per-capita basis.
Peak sun hours
4
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
24.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$3.15/W
before incentives
Typical payback
9 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in New Hampshire
Annual production
11,680 kWh
Year-1 savings
$2,803
System cost (est.)
$25,200
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
New Hampshire Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering
New Hampshire requires full retail net metering under RSA 362-A:9. Eversource NH and Unitil must credit excess at retail. Unused monthly credits roll for 12 months before annual settlement at avoided cost.
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓NH Electric Co-op rebate programs
- ✓Property tax exemption
- ✓Clean Energy Fund low-interest loans
Top Utilities in New Hampshire
Interconnection timeline: 5–10 weeks
State-specific decision guide
What to verify before signing a New Hampshire solar quote
In New Hampshire, the financial result depends on more than sunshine or the headline installation price. Confirm the export rule, program eligibility date, and interconnection timeline for your exact utility before treating a payback estimate as a promise.
Export value
This page models full retail net metering. Ask which tariff and export credit apply to your account, not only which program name appears in the proposal.
Incentive eligibility
Check equipment, income, installer, application, and placed-in-service rules before subtracting an incentive from the quote. Programs can close or change terms.
Interconnection
Budget for the published 5–10 weeks and confirm who pays for a required meter, service upgrade, or engineering review.
Source trail: production assumptions use NREL PVWatts; incentive discovery should be checked against DSIRE; electricity-market context is available from the EIA. Confirm final tax treatment with the IRS and your utility.
Calculate your New Hampshire solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with New Hampshire data. Run any tool below.