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Get a Free QuoteThe complete side-by-side comparison: electric rates, RRES program, net metering credits, ESS battery incentives, TOU rates, and territory-specific economics. Which CT utility is better for solar?
Connecticut’s solar incentive structure is state-regulated by PURA, not utility-specific. Both Eversource and United Illuminating participate in the same RRES program, same ESS battery incentives, the same ESS Active Dispatch demand response, and the same Solar Energy Adjustment. The only material difference is the electric rate: Eversource at $0.29/kWh vs UI at $0.28/kWh — a difference of about $15-$20/year on a typical system. Your solar decision should be based on your roof, usage, and financing — not your utility.
| Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Residential Rate | $0.29/kWh | $0.28/kWh | Eversource slightly higher |
| Supply Rate (Jan-Jun 2026) | $0.1264/kWh | $0.13695/kWh | Eversource lower supply |
| Distribution Rate | ~$0.10/kWh | ~$0.09/kWh | UI slightly lower |
| Minimum Monthly Charge | $7.00 | $7.00 | Same |
| Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRES Administration | Yes (PURA-regulated) | Yes (PURA-regulated) | Same program |
| Solar Energy Adjustment (2026) | $0.0402/kWh | $0.0402/kWh | Same |
| Netting Tariff (Option A) | Retail rate credits | Retail rate credits | Same mechanism |
| Buy-All Tariff (Option B) | $0.3289/kWh (20-yr lock) | $0.3289/kWh (20-yr lock) | Same rate |
| Max System Size | 25 kW | 25 kW | Same |
| Grandfathering Date | Dec 31, 2039 | Dec 31, 2039 | Same |
| Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interconnection Timeline | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks | Same |
| Application Process | Online portal | Online portal | Same |
| Net Meter Installed By | Eversource crew | UI crew | Similar timeline |
Both utilities participate in the same state-administered programs. Battery incentives are identical regardless of utility territory.
| Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESS Enrollment Incentive (non-Grid-Edge) | $30/kWh (max $16K) | $30/kWh (max $16K) | Same |
| ESS Enrollment Incentive (Grid Edge circuit) | $130/kWh (max $16K) | $130/kWh (max $16K) | Same |
| ESS Performance Rate (Standard) | $300/kW-yr, 10 yrs | $300/kW-yr, 10 yrs | Same |
| ESS Performance Rate (Underserved) | $450/kW-yr, 10 yrs | $450/kW-yr, 10 yrs | Same |
| ESS Performance Rate (Low-Income) | $550/kW-yr, 10 yrs | $550/kW-yr, 10 yrs | Same |
| Grid Edge Determination | Circuit-level map, not town-level | Circuit-level map, not town-level | Same eligibility |
| Qualifying Batteries | Tesla PW3, Enphase, SolarEdge, etc. | Tesla PW3, Enphase, SolarEdge, etc. | Same list |
A typical 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 ($12,000-$14,000 installed) qualifies for a $405 ESS enrollment incentive ($30/kWh), or $1,755 if the home sits on a Grid Edge circuit ($130/kWh). On top of that, the ESS performance incentive pays $300 per kW-yr standard, $450 in DECD distressed municipalities, or $550 for income-qualified households — annually for ten years, on measured average kW-AC contribution during Active Dispatch events rather than nameplate capacity. All of these rates are identical in Eversource and UI territory; the program is administered statewide.
Source: CT Energy Storage Solutions Program Manual (revised Feb 11, 2026), Tables 9 and 16; PURA Docket 25-08-05 final decision Dec 17, 2025, effective April 1, 2026.
Both utilities offer voluntary TOU rates that can boost solar + battery savings.
| Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOU Rate Available | Voluntary residential TOU | Voluntary residential TOU | Both offer TOU |
| Peak Hours | 12-8 PM weekdays | 12-8 PM weekdays | Same window |
| Peak Rate Premium | ~$0.05-$0.08/kWh above standard | ~$0.05-$0.08/kWh above standard | Similar |
| Off-Peak Savings | ~$0.03-$0.05/kWh below standard | ~$0.03-$0.05/kWh below standard | Similar |
| Best Strategy with Solar + Battery | Export during peak, charge off-peak | Export during peak, charge off-peak | Same strategy |
Hartford, central CT, eastern CT, most of Fairfield County
Hartford, West Hartford, Manchester, Glastonbury, Simsbury, Danbury, Greenwich, Westport
Greater New Haven and Bridgeport metro areas
New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Hamden, Guilford
At $0.29/kWh vs $0.28/kWh, Eversource customers save ~$15-$20 more per year on a typical 11 kW system. Modest advantage.
Same PURA-regulated program, same rates, same Solar Energy Adjustment. No difference.
Same ESS program, same enrollment and performance rates, same circuit-level Grid Edge determination. No difference.
Both utilities average 4-8 weeks. Neither is consistently faster.
Both offer voluntary TOU with similar peak/off-peak spreads.
Eversource territory has slightly lower average installation costs ($2.75-$3.10/W) vs UI territory ($2.80-$3.15/W) due to competition and lower permitting costs in suburban areas.
More DECD distressed municipalities (Bridgeport, New Haven) sit in UI territory, so more homes there take the ESS underserved performance rate ($450/kW-yr vs the $300/kW-yr standard rate) alongside RRES income-qualified adders. The $550/kW-yr low-income rate is a separate household income test available in any CT town.
If your utility is Norwich Public Utilities, Wallingford Electric Division, South Norwalk Electric & Water, Bozrah Light & Power, or another municipal utility, you do NOT participate in the RRES program, ESS battery incentives, or ConnectedSolutions. Solar is still possible but incentive structures vary by municipality. Contact your municipal utility directly.
Estimate your solar savings based on your utility, system size, and financing.
Estimate your solar return on investment with RRES income, CT tax exemptions, and ESS battery incentives.
Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit (Section 25D) Expired
Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Hartford, most of CT (north, east, central)
New 2026 enrollees pay $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment on all production
Electric Rate
$0.29/kWh
RRES Program
Netting Tariff
Solar Energy Adj.
$0.0402/kWh
Interconnection
4-8 weeks
Permanent exemption — solar adds $0 to your property tax bill
Payback
7.6
years
25-Year Savings
$133,649
total
Monthly
$323
per month
Estimates based on average 2026 CT solar pricing, RRES netting tariff at retail rate, $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment, 6.35% sales tax exemption, permanent property tax exemption (~2.04% effective rate), and ESS incentive at $250/kWh standard tier. Section 25D residential ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — $0 federal tax credit for cash/loan purchases. CT has no state income tax credit for solar.
Neither utility has a significant advantage for solar in 2026. Both participate in the same RRES program, same ESS battery incentives, same ConnectedSolutions demand response, and same Solar Energy Adjustment ($0.0402/kWh). Eversource has a slightly higher rate ($0.29 vs $0.28/kWh) which means marginally more savings. The difference on a typical 11 kW system is about $15-$20/year — negligible compared to total savings of $1,800-$2,400/year.
The Solar Energy Adjustment is a per-kWh charge applied to ALL solar production for new 2026 RRES enrollees — not just exports. Both Eversource and United Illuminating apply the same $0.0402/kWh rate. For a typical 11 kW system producing 12,925 kWh/year, this costs approximately $520/year. This is an 8x increase from the prior $0.005/kWh rate and reduces net savings by about 10-15% compared to legacy customers grandfathered at the old rate.
Yes. The ESS (Energy Storage Solutions) program is administered statewide through EnergizeCT, so Eversource and United Illuminating customers see identical rates. Effective April 1, 2026 that means a one-time enrollment incentive of $30/kWh at commissioning ($130/kWh on a Grid Edge circuit, max $16,000), plus a performance incentive paid annually for ten years: $300 per kW-year standard, $450 in DECD distressed municipalities, $550 for income-qualified households. Performance is measured as average kW-AC contribution during Active Dispatch events, not nameplate capacity. Grid Edge is a circuit-level designation, never a town-level one. Source: ESS Program Manual revised Feb 11, 2026, Tables 9 and 16; PURA Docket 25-08-05.
ConnectedSolutions closed to new Connecticut enrollments on December 1, 2023; Energy Storage Solutions replaced it, and Active Dispatch is the piece that pays for battery dispatch today. Active Dispatch is the part of Energy Storage Solutions where your battery discharges to the grid during peak demand events. Under the structure effective April 1, 2026 both Eversource and UI pay one residential rate across all ten years: $300 per kW-year standard, $450 for DECD distressed municipalities, $550 for income-qualified households. Payment follows your measured average kW-AC contribution during events as recorded by inverter data, not your battery nameplate, so the annual amount depends on actual performance. The summer season runs June 1 to September 30 with 30-60 events; winter runs November 1 to March 31 with 1-10 events. Your battery recharges from solar the next day.
Eversource territory has a slight cost advantage at $2.75-$3.10/W vs $2.80-$3.15/W in UI territory. This is primarily because Eversource covers more suburban and rural areas with lower labor costs and less complex permitting. Fairfield County (split between both utilities) has the highest costs due to premium labor markets and larger homes. The difference is typically $200-$500 on an 11 kW system.
Yes. The RRES (Residential Renewable Energy Solutions) program is regulated by CT PURA and works identically for both Eversource and United Illuminating. Both offer the same Netting Tariff (Option A — retail rate credits) and Buy-All Tariff (Option B — $0.3289/kWh locked for 20 years). The same income-qualified adders, same max system size (25 kW), and same grandfathering through December 31, 2039 apply.
No. Your utility is determined by your property location, not personal choice. Connecticut is divided into geographic service territories regulated by PURA. You cannot switch between Eversource and United Illuminating. However, you CAN choose a competitive electricity supplier for the supply portion of your bill — though this does not affect how solar, RRES, or battery programs work.
No. Connecticut has several municipal utilities (Norwich Public Utilities, Wallingford Electric, etc.) that do NOT participate in the RRES program, ESS battery incentives, or ConnectedSolutions. Municipal utility customers have limited or no solar incentive programs. If you are in a municipal utility territory, contact your utility directly to ask about solar interconnection policies.