Find out if solar panels are right for your home in New Hampshire.
The Granite State is increasingly harnessing the power of the sun. Notable solar projects and a growing embrace of solar power among communities and homeowners highlight this transition.
Merrimack Solar Farm in Merrimack and Filtrine Manufacturing's project in Keene are just a few examples of the large-scale solar initiatives. These projects, along with the efforts of over 85 solar companies in the state have installed enough solar capacity to power 37,598 homes. The current solar capacity along with solar investment of over $604 million are a testament to New Hampshire’s potential in renewable energy.
With solar panel costs decreasing by 43% over the last decade and a projected growth of 477 MW over the next five years, solar energy is becoming an increasingly attractive option for homeowners. Despite being in New England, New Hampshire's climate offers a surprisingly conducive environment for solar energy.
The average price for a home solar panel system in New Hampshire is $21,660 for a 6kW system or about $3.61 per watt. Systems will vary depending on the solar installation company the types of solar panels you choose and the size of your system. When shopping for solar panels you should consider getting multiple quotes from various installers.
| Average Cost 6 kW System | Average Cost 10 kW System | Estimated Tax Credit (10 kW System) | Average Cost/Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| New Hampshire | $18,840 | $31,400 | $9,420 | $3.14 |
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Most Costly State(Michigan) | $22,680 | $37,800 | $11,340 | $3.78 |
| Least Costly State(Arizona) | $14,640 | $24,400 | $7,320 | $2.44 |
For most, the ideal solar system size is the sweet spot between price and capacity. The goal is to generate enough electricity to cover your home's demand while keeping overall costs low as possible.
I.E. Get the best bang for your buck.
| System Size | System Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $15,700 | $8,785 |
| 6 kW | $18,840 | $10,542 |
| 7 kW | $21,980 | $12,299 |
| 8 kW | $25,120 | $14,056 |
| 10 kW | $31,400 | $17,570 |
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect - including solar. To avoid buyer's remorse, you should think about all the pros and cons associated with installing solar equipment on your home. Then weigh them against each other to decide if it makes sense for you.
Everyone has their own opinion on how to interpret and weigh the pros and cons against each other. Our goal is to present the most common pros and cons and let you make your own choice.
In New Hampshire, solar power is becoming a popular choice. If you're a homeowner thinking about solar, it's not just about helping the environment, you also need to think about money.
The allure of solar is undeniable with its promises of reduced utility bills and potential tax incentives. Yet, this shouldn't brush away the need for a thorough financial review. Solar is a viable option in New Hampshire in general, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.
Every home in New Hampshire is different and that matters a lot for solar power. You should look at your house carefully before deciding. Think about where your roof faces, if there are trees shading it, and how the weather is where you live.
New Hampshire has lots of snow and different amounts of sun during the year. This can change how well solar panels work. You should talk to solar experts. They can tell you how much power you might get from solar panels on your house.
It's important to be excited about helping the environment. But, you also need to be smart about how solar fits with your house and your money.
If you are on the fence you can use this tool to get an accurate cost breakdown for your home based on your historical energy usage.
There are several ways you can purchase and/or finance your solar panel installation in New Hampshire. Your goals and financial situation will dictate which option is best for you.
The most straightforward option. You pay upfront for the entire cost of the rooftop solar system. No interest, and fewer headaches, but many people are hesitant about spending several tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The most common method for buying solar systems. Like many other types of large purchases, you can finance your solar system through a bank or solar loan provider.
This sounds great, and many other solar loan salespeople will leverage the low payment to justify the costs. You will likely hear something like "You pay $250 a month on your electric bill, with a solar loan you will pay $200 and have free electricity."
Do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. There are many horror stories of variable loan terms, ballooning interest rates, and harsh missed payment penalties.
Leasing solar panels generally involves less money out of pocket upfront. But, it's important to note - you do not own your solar energy system. You essentially renting the solar system. A solar provider will install the equipment and charge you a fixed monthly fee.
Most solar lease contracts last for a couple of decades, during which time the provider will keep an eye on the system's hardware and performance. At the end of your lease, you can choose to:
Solar leases can be complicated. Not all are bad, but in many cases the lease terms in not in favor of the buyer. Before you decide on a solar lease make sure to read your contract thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask an expert.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a solar company will design and install a solar system on your home or business with little or no cost upfront. Instead of paying a monthly fee like a lease, the agreement includes a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated.
For example, you agree to pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity generated for the next 20 years. The solar company will install and maintain your system and sell the power back to you that you use. They may also collect payment for any additional energy they put back into the grid.
Just like a lease, you do not own the panels. When the contract is up, they will either be removed or your contract may have other terms for you to buy or renew your power purchase agreement.
Power purchase agreements can be complicated. Before you sign make sure you review the contract and if possible have an expert in power purchase agreements review the details.
Each state is different when it comes to incentives, besides the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit. Some are available throughout the state, while others are specific to certain areas. Your local city, utility company, or other organizations in New Hampshire could offer additional incentives, potentially saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when you install a solar system.
This table shows the available incentives in New Hampshire. But, just because you don't see it here doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Check with your local utility for other potential incentives.
| Name | State | Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Solar Easements (Duplicate entry) | NH | Regulatory Policy | Solar/Wind Access Policy |
| Net Metering | NH | Regulatory Policy | Net Metering |
| Interconnection Standards | NH | Regulatory Policy | Interconnection |
| Building Energy Conservation Initiative | NH | Financial Incentive | Loan Program |
| National Grid (Gas) - Solar Thermal Rebate Program | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Northern Utilities - Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Unitil (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Unitil (Electric) - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Liberty Utilities (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Liberty Utilities (Electric) - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs | NH | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
There are hundreds of solar companies in New Hampshire. From solar installers to solar loan providers, and manufacturers. Each is a piece of the puzzle to help you get outfitted with solar panels.
To make things simple, EnergyBot works directly with 3 of the largest solar companies to give you a comprehensive view of the market.
The solar companies we partner with:
We believe comparing these three names in the solar industry will give you the info you need to decide if solar panels are right for you.
Just because solar is a popular discussion right now, doesn’t mean it makes sense for everyone. It is still a large and expensive decision. Installing solar has great financial and environmental benefits but it won’t feel beneficial if you run into issues. Along with studying a 20-year cost comparison for your home, read some more tips to keep in mind when mulling over your decision on your installer, system design, and financial plan.
In New Hampshire, a significant shift has occurred in the solar energy sector, particularly regarding net metering. Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities, the state's major electric utilities, have surprisingly endorsed the continuation of the existing net-metering system. This program allows customers to receive about 75% of the standard electricity rate for their extra solar power returned to the grid. This utility support marks a notable change from their previous calls for lower net-metering rates.
The current net-metering rules were established in 2016 and replaced an older system that credited solar customers at full retail electricity prices. These rules are now under review, with debates ongoing about their impact and fairness, especially concerning cost-shifting to non-solar customers.
The debate around net metering in New Hampshire reflects a broader national discussion on the role of solar energy and its integration into the grid. Critics argue that net metering shifts costs to consumers without solar panels, as utilities must cover more than just the energy cost in their retail pricing. However, proponents of net metering highlight its benefits, such as reducing capacity payments for utilities, compliance costs with renewable standards, and transmission losses.
The recent joint testimony by New Hampshire utilities, praising the economics of the current net-metering system, marks a significant shift in their stance. They argue that the current system has effectively spurred solar growth without causing unjust cost shifts.
The future of net metering in New Hampshire remains in debate. Its impact on both the solar industry and non-solar consumers being a central point of contention.
We have helped thousands of customers find electricity plans for their home or business. And we are pretty darn good at it, with over 1,000 5-Star reviews we know how to help you stay powered up.
Now using the same one-of-kind technology and platform we are helping consumers in New Hampshire decide if solar is right for them. You will notice that sometimes our numbers make solar look less attractive. That's not by accident. We believe you should have full transparency during the solar purchasing process.
We aren't here to sell you something. We are here to help you make the best energy decision for your home or business.
The cost of solar panel installation in New Hampshire can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the size and type of the system, the complexity of the installation, your solar installer, and the specific location. However, the average cost of solar panels in the U.S. was about $3.13 per watt, before any incentives or tax credits.
A typical residential solar system is usually around 8 kilowatts (8,000 watts), but varies based on energy use and the size of the house. The US average cost for a 6 kW system is $18,771 and the US average cost for a 10 kW system is $31,285, before incentives. The average price for a home solar panel system in New Hampshire is $21,660 for a 6kW system or about or about $3.61 per watt.
The number of solar panels you would need depends on a variety of factors such as:
To give you a rough estimate, let's say you live in a location that receives about 5 hours of peak sunlight per day, your solar panels have an efficiency of 20%, and each panel has a power rating of 300 watts. If your home uses about 10,400 kWh per year, you would divide this by 365 to get your daily energy use (about 28.5 kWh). You would then divide this by the hours of peak sunlight (5 hours), to get your required power output per hour (about 5.7 kW). If each solar panel produces 300 watts (or 0.3 kW), you would divide 5.7 kW by 0.3 to get the number of solar panels you need, which would be about 19 panels.
The installation process for solar panels can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation.
Your installer should be able to give you an estimated timeline based on your specific project.
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. However, it's a good idea to have them inspected every few years to ensure they are working properly and to clean off any debris or dirt that may have accumulated on the panels. Most solar panel installers offer maintenance services for an additional fee.
At the end of their lifespan, solar panels can be recycled. Many components of the panels, such as glass and metal, can be reclaimed and reused. Some companies specialize in solar panel recycling.
There are two main types of solar panels: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. There are pros and cons to both. Either type can produce enough solar power for your home. We recommend getting a recommendation from a solar installer for your home. Depending on your budget, location, and other factors they can recommend the most efficient solar panels for your home.
The average lifespan of a solar panel system is about 25-30 years. However, many systems continue to operate efficiently beyond this period, albeit at a slightly reduced capacity.
