New Hampshire goes solar with SunPower®
Go solar and get the best clean energy in the Granite State
The state of solar in New Hampshire
If you live in New Hampshire and are considering going solar to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint, you are on the right track. The White Mountain State experiences 198 sunny days each year and has several laws that incentivize switching to solar energy.*BestPlaces: Climate in New Hampshire: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/state/new_hampshire (July 2021)
According to Google’s Project Sunroof, if 72% of the buildings in New Hampshire installed solar panels, the state could generate up to 2.6 million MWh AC each year.*Google Project Sunroof data explorer: https://sunroof.withgoogle.com/data-explorer/place/ChIJ66bAnUtEs0wR64CmJa8CyNc/ (November 2018)
How much solar energy does New Hampshire produce?
In the first quarter of 2021, New Hampshire had 9,966 solar installations that could generate 140.5 MW of electricity – enough power for over 20,000 homes. One of the largest solar installations in the state is the Peterborough Solar Array, a photovoltaic solar system that produces 1 MW of electricity.*SEIA: New Hampshire Solar: New Hampshire Electricity Rates & Consumption: https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/new-hampshire-solar (July 2021)
What are the advantages of going solar in New Hampshire?
The average residential electricity rate in New Hampshire is 35% higher than the national average.*Electricity Local: https://www.electricitylocal.com/states/new-hampshire/ (July 2021)
Switching to solar energy today could save you $28,527 to $38,596 over the next 20 years. Even though installing a solar system is pricey, the money you save by installing a system today would cover the cost of your investment within seven to ten years.*EnergySage: New Hampshire solar panels: local pricing and data: https://www.energysage.com/solar-panels/nh/ (July 2021)
Also, installing home solar panels today would future-proof your property as the world continues to gravitate towards clean energy. Even better, installing solar panels on your home can increase its market value by tens of thousands of dollars. The considerable return on investment makes solar installation one of the most valuable home renovations you can perform.
How much does solar cost in New Hampshire?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Quality of the solar panels
Permit costs
Installer rates
Roof age, angle, and size
Weather
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. In New Hampshire, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $14,800 to $15,850, or in other words, from $2.96 to $3.17 per watt—and that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
You will be able to reduce the cost of switching to solar power by taking advantage of these incentives and rebates:
The federal solar tax credit: Homeowners who purchase their system as opposed to leasing it, can get a tax credit of up to 26% of the total cost of the solar installation.*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.
Renewable Energy Generation Incentive Program: If you install a solar system with a 10 kW capacity or less, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has a rebate program for residential electric generating systems. You can apply through the PUC Sustainable Energy Division. This state program entitles you to $0.20 per watt that your system generates. You can collect up to $1,000 or half of the cost of installing your system.
New Hampshire Electric Cooperative: Co-op members also receive renewable energy rebate programs offered that you may use in combination with the PUC rebates.
Local property tax exemption: Installing a solar system increases your property’s value. Thanks to New Hampshire’s tax exemption laws, you may not have to pay taxes on the added property value from a solar panel installation. Since not all counties administer this uniformly, please check to determine your county or municipality’s status regarding the tax exemption.
Net metering: If you have a 1 MW or smaller solar system, net metering from the NH Public Utilities Commission ensures that you will get paid for excess electricity generated by your system that goes to the grid. Eversource has one of the best net metering policies in New Hampshire.*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.
What’s the best way to go solar in New Hampshire?
If you live in New Hampshire and want to go solar, contact a reputable, licensed solar installer for an initial consultation. The right solar installation company can assess your property and recommend the best system for your electricity needs.
The contractor should be able to provide you with solar system design options that fit your budget and help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce installation costs. Don’t forget that the best solar system for your home or business isn’t just one that provides maximum power but also one that’s durable and matches your building’s aesthetic style.
If you’re ready to get started, we’re happy to help. Simply request a free consultation with SunPower below and we'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.
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