New HampshireSolar Incentives 2026: Tax Credits, Rebates & Net Metering
New Hampshire homeowners can reduce solar installation costs by up to 30% through state and federal incentives. With average monthly bills of $170 and 4.3 peak sun hours per day, the average NH homeowner saves $42,300 over 25 years.
State Solar Tax Credit
New Hampshire does not offer a state income tax credit specifically for residential solar. Most homeowners rely on the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit as the primary up-front incentive.
Even without a state income credit, New Hampshire's property tax exemption on solar equipment significantly reduce effective lifetime cost.
Net Metering in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering on residential solar systems. The credit rate is a modified rate (typically retail rate minus a small grid utilization fee).
In practice, this means a properly sized New Hampshire system can drive net annual electricity costs to within tens of dollars of zero. Top utilities operating under NH net metering rules include Eversource NH, Unitil, Liberty.
New Hampshire credits exported solar at roughly ~70–90% of retail of the retail rate. See full New Hampshirenet metering rates & rollover rules →
Cost of Solar Panels in New Hampshire (2026)
Solar installs in New Hampshire average $3.05 per watt in 2026. A typical 8 kW system runs about $24,400 before incentives. After the 30% federal credit, the net cost drops to roughly $17,080 — the real number most NH homeowners pay.
Your price moves with system size, roof complexity, and equipment tier. Run the New Hampshire savings calculator for a number matched to your actual electricity bill.
Are Free Solar Panels Real in New Hampshire?
No — there is no government program handing out free solar in New Hampshire. “Free solar” and “no-cost solar program” ads are leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs): a company owns the panels, claims the 30% federal credit for itself, and bills you for the power.
Buying your system — with the incentives in your name — almost always wins on lifetime savings. Read the full breakdown of “free solar” offers →
Utility Rebate Programs
3 major utilities operate in New Hampshire: Eversource NH, Unitil, Liberty. Specific rebate availability varies year to year and is typically distributed first-come, first-served until annual budget caps are reached.
Before scheduling any installation, verify current rebate status directly with your utility — programs open and close throughout the year. Most New Hampshire installers will pull up-to-date rebate data during a site assessment.
Property & Sales Tax Exemptions
New Hampshire excludes the added value of a residential solar system from property tax assessments. A homeowner whose property gains $15,000 in assessed value from a solar install pays no additional property tax on that increase, saving roughly $250 to $400 annually depending on local mill rates.
New Hampshire does not exempt solar equipment from sales tax, so installation invoices include standard sales tax on hardware components.
How New Hampshire Compares to Neighboring States
Compare New Hampshire's solar incentive package side-by-side with adjacent states to see whether you live in a relatively high- or low-incentive market.
How NH Incentives Work in Detail
Frequently Asked Questions
See your exact New Hampshire solar savings
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