Home Solar in New Hampshire: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar in New Hampshire
New Hampshire homeowners pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — 23.33 cents per kWh, up 23% since 2020. Solar installation is one of the most practical ways to take control of your energy costs.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to move forward, this guide walks you through how home solar panels work in New Hampshire — from the installation process to what it costs.
NEW HAMPSHIRE by the Numbers
- 26th Most residential solar in the United States
- 19k Households have installed solar panels
- 4.5 Average daily peak sun hours
- ~$75k New Hampshire average savings over 25 years
New Hampshire Solar Panel Cost
Wondering what solar actually costs in New Hampshire? This calculator uses real installation data from Palmetto customers across the state — from Manchester to Nashua to Portsmouth — to show you estimated costs. We display both a monthly lease payment through our LightReach program (no upfront cost required) and a cash purchase option, so you can compare what works best for your home.
Lease
Cash Purchase
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home in New Hampshire.
Recommended System: 9.24 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach: $138/mo
As low as: $138/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
System Cost: $28,839
Cost Per Watt: $3.12/W
Final Cost: $28,839
Savings
Monthly Savings: Average utility bill reduction: $170
Payback Period: Break-even point: 11.9 years
25-Year Savings: $74,732
Get Your Personalized Quote
Palmetto Reviews
"The process from beginning to the end of having our system installed was nothing but great! They answered all questions and were willing to update on everything that was going on during the process. It’s been a couple of months now since we’ve had the system installed and can tell a huge difference in our energy bill already."
Zachery Umphrey, Lillington, North Carolina"I got my solar system a few months ago and have already seen a huge reduction in my power bill. Palmetto did a great job on my install and have been good to work with. I am looking forward to having no light bill at all one day as I reduce my carbon footprint. Solar is the new power source of the future and Palmetto Solar is the place to buy it."
Van Guines, Richmond, Virginia"Right from the time we had our solar installed to downloading the Palmetto Solar app, Palmetto has been an excellent company upfront with their billing and everything is clearly understandable on the app. Would recommend them to anyone that wants to listen."
Craig Hanson, Naugatuck, Connecticut
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire has some of the highest electricity rates in the country — making solar one of the most practical ways to take control of your energy costs.
- Palmetto’s LightReach lease lets you go solar with no upfront cost — Palmetto owns, maintains, and guarantees your system’s production.
- New Hampshire offers strong solar incentives, including net metering credits, a property tax exemption, and no state sales tax on solar equipment.
New Hampshire Electricity Prices
New Hampshire homeowners pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — and they’ve been climbing for years.
At 23.3 cents per kWh, New Hampshire’s electricity rates are nearly 41% above the national average of 16.5 cents. In 2023, rates peaked at 28.2 cents — almost double what most Americans pay.
Solar panels let homeowners generate their own electricity and reduce dependence on the grid. The more you produce at home, the less you buy from your utility — at whatever rate they happen to charge.
Palmetto’s LightReach program lets homeowners go solar with no upfront cost. You pay a low, fixed monthly rate instead of an unpredictable utility bill — and Palmetto owns, monitors, and maintains the system for you.
Price of Energy: New Hampshire vs National Average
| Year | New Hampshire | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23.3¢ | 16.5¢ |
| 2022 | 28.2¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2023 | 23.3¢ | 16.5¢ |
New Hampshire Solar Incentives
New Hampshire homeowners have access to several solar incentives in New Hampshire — at the state, municipal, and utility level — that can meaningfully reduce the cost of going solar.
These include net metering credits that pay you for excess energy, a property tax exemption on your solar equipment, and no state sales tax on hardware or installation.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Metering 2.0 (NEM 2.0) | Net Metering | New Hampshire’s Net Metering 2.0 allows solar owners to earn bill credits for surplus energy exported to the grid at approximately 85% of the retail rate, locked through 2041. | Learn More |
| Solar Property Tax Exemption (RSA 72:62) | Property Tax Exemption | New Hampshire’s RSA 72:62 allows municipalities to exempt 100% of the assessed value of solar (and battery storage) equipment from property taxes, saving the average homeowner approximately $584 per year. | Learn More |
| New Hampshire No State Sales Tax on Solar | Sales Tax Exemption | New Hampshire has no state sales tax, meaning all solar panels, inverters, battery storage systems, and installation labor are automatically purchased tax-free — saving homeowners an estimated $1,500–$2,000 on a typical installation. | Learn More |
| Eversource ConnectedSolutions Battery Storage Rebate (NHCEF) | Rebate | Eversource NH customers can receive an upfront rebate of $230 per kWh of enrolled battery capacity (up to $3,000 for residential accounts) through the New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund ConnectedSolutions program. | Learn More |
| New Hampshire Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) | SREC | New Hampshire’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) includes a Class II solar carve-out that allows grid-connected residential solar systems to generate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which can potentially be sold to utilities needing them for compliance. | Learn More |
New Hampshire Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. New Hampshire’s long winters and snowy skies may seem like solar obstacles, but don’t be fooled — the Granite State actually gets enough sunshine year-round to make solar a smart, worthwhile investment.
Key Facts:
- Values shown are daily averages
- Based on 18 years of satellite data
What Can the Average New Hampshire Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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
Solar Installations in New Hampshire
We’ve mapped thousands of real solar installations across New Hampshire so you can see just how many of your neighbors have already made the switch.
Go Solar with LightReach — No Upfront Cost
If you’d rather go solar without a large upfront purchase, Palmetto’s LightReach program offers a straightforward alternative. With a PPA, you pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the electricity your system produces — rather than a fixed monthly amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire have net metering?
Yes, New Hampshire has net metering — specifically Net Metering 2.0 (NEM 2.0). Solar owners earn bill credits for excess electricity sent to the grid at roughly 85% of the retail rate.
Do solar panels increase your home value in New Hampshire?
Yes — but only if you own your solar system outright. Research from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them.
How much does it cost to go solar in New Hampshire?
For New Hampshire homeowners, the most accessible way to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with a fixed monthly payment starting as low as $138/month and no upfront cost.