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Get a Free QuoteNew Hampshire has 4 utilities plus Community Power affecting your solar economics. Unitil customers pay the most per kWh and see the fastest solar payback. Here is how all options compare — including CPCNH and battery backup for rural NH.
Eversource
$0.23/kWh
~50% of customers
Liberty
$0.20/kWh
~30% of customers
Unitil
$0.24/kWh
~10% of customers
NHEC
$0.21/kWh
~10% of customers
CPCNH is not a utility — it is a municipal aggregation program where towns collectively purchase electricity supply. Understanding how it interacts with your utility and solar net metering is critical.
Bottom line: CPCNH is a good program that saves most ratepayers money. For solar owners, the slight reduction in NEM credits is typically offset by lower base rates. Whether you are in a CPCNH town or not, solar remains a strong investment in New Hampshire.
Your utility is determined by your address — you cannot switch. Each utility has different retail rates, which directly impact your solar savings and payback timeline.
~50% of NH customers (~520,000)
Southern NH, Seacoast, parts of central NH
Retail Rate
$0.20-$0.25
/kWh
NEM Credit
~85% of retail
of retail
Largest NH utility. Most installer experience. Online interconnection portal.
~30% of NH customers (~330,000)
Lakes Region, central NH, parts of southern NH
Retail Rate
$0.18-$0.22
/kWh
NEM Credit
~85% of retail
of retail
Serves Lakes Region and central NH. Slightly lower rates than Eversource. Algonquin Power subsidiary.
~10% of NH customers (~78,000)
Concord, Hampton, Seacoast area (limited territory)
Retail Rate
$0.22-$0.26
/kWh
NEM Credit
~85% of retail
of retail
Smallest investor-owned utility. Highest rates = fastest solar payback. Concentrated territory.
~10% of NH customers (~85,000)
Rural NH — White Mountains, Lakes Region edges, North Country
Retail Rate
$0.19-$0.23
/kWh
NEM Credit
~85% of retail
of retail
Member-owned co-op. Serves the most rural areas. Can be fastest for straightforward installs.
New Hampshire net metering is not 1:1 retail rate. Understanding the actual credit formula is essential for accurate solar economics.
100%
Supply charges
100%
Transmission charges
25%
Distribution charges
| Utility | Retail Rate | Est. NEM Credit | Credit as % of Retail | 8kW Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitil | $0.22-0.26/kWh | ~$0.20-0.22/kWh | ~85% | 7-9 years |
| Eversource | $0.20-0.25/kWh | ~$0.17-0.21/kWh | ~85% | 8-10 years |
| NHEC | $0.19-0.23/kWh | ~$0.16-0.20/kWh | ~85% | 9-11 years |
| Liberty | $0.18-0.22/kWh | ~$0.15-0.19/kWh | ~85% | 9-11 years |
Payback estimates assume 8 kW system, $3.20/W installed cost, no federal tax credit, property tax exemption adopted. Actual payback varies with roof orientation, shading, and consumption patterns.
Higher utility rates mean bigger savings from each solar kWh. Here is what a typical 8 kW residential solar installation looks like in each utility territory.
Important: No Federal Residential Tax Credit
Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. All payback calculations above reflect $0 federal tax credit. Solar leases/PPAs may still benefit from the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%) through July 4, 2026 — but that credit goes to the leasing company, not the homeowner.
Rural NH homes face unique risks during power outages. Battery backup is not just a convenience — for many households it is a necessity.
No electricity = no water. Rural NH homes on well water lose water pressure immediately during outages. A battery keeps the well pump running.
NH winters can reach -20F. Extended outages risk frozen pipes, which can cost $10,000+ in damage. Battery backup keeps heat pumps or electric heat running.
NHEC and Liberty territory customers in rural areas can experience outages lasting 3-7 days during major ice storms. Solar + battery provides independence.
| Battery | Capacity | Installed Cost | Well Pump Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | $12,000-$14,000 | 8-12 hours |
| Enphase IQ 5P (x3) | 15.0 kWh | $14,000-$17,000 | 10-14 hours |
| Franklin WH aPower2 | 13.6 kWh | $11,000-$13,000 | 8-12 hours |
| SolarEdge Home Battery | 9.7 kWh | $9,000-$11,000 | 6-8 hours |
No NH state battery rebate exists as of 2026. Prices are installed, after any applicable Propel financing. Well pump runtime assumes 1/2 HP pump with periodic cycling.
New Hampshire allows towns to exempt solar energy systems from property tax assessments. This is a local option — each town must vote to adopt it.
Interconnection is the process of connecting your solar system to the grid and activating net metering. Each utility handles it differently.
| Utility | Timeline | Max Size | Application | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource | 2-4 weeks | 1 MW | Online portal | $0 residential |
| Liberty | 2-3 weeks | 1 MW | Email/portal | $0 residential |
| Unitil | 2-3 weeks | 1 MW | Email/portal | $0 residential |
| NHEC | 1-3 weeks | 1 MW | Email/phone | $0 residential |
Highest rates ($0.22-0.26/kWh) mean the most savings per solar kWh produced. Concord and Hampton customers see 7-9 year payback periods. Small territory means quick interconnection.
Largest utility with the most installer competition, which can drive down installation costs. Rates of $0.20-0.25/kWh provide strong savings. 8-10 year payback. Many CPCNH-participating towns are in Eversource territory.
Co-op model serving rural NH. Lower rates ($0.19-0.23/kWh) mean slightly longer payback (9-11 years), but outage-prone rural locations make battery backup especially valuable. Member-owned governance means responsive service.
Serves Lakes Region and central NH. Rates of $0.18-0.22/kWh with 9-11 year payback. Many vacation homes in Liberty territory benefit from solar + battery for year-round reliability.
All NH Utilities Support Solar
Regardless of your utility, solar is a strong investment in NH. Net metering is locked through 2041, property tax exemptions are available in most towns, and NH electricity rates continue to trend upward. The question is not whether solar makes sense — it is whether you should add battery backup based on your location and outage risk.
While there is no state solar rebate, NHSaves offers rebates for heat pumps, insulation, and energy efficiency improvements that pair well with solar.
NHSaves offers $1,000-$2,000 per heat pump for qualifying cold-climate models. Reduce your heating costs alongside solar.
Up to 75% of insulation costs covered through NHSaves. Better insulation means lower heating loads and smaller solar system needed.
Free or low-cost home energy assessment through NHSaves. Identifies air leaks, insulation gaps, and efficiency opportunities.
NHSaves rebates of $600-$800 for qualifying heat pump water heaters. Cuts water heating costs by 50-65%.
Air sealing, duct sealing, and window improvements. Income-eligible customers may qualify for 100% covered costs.
Section 30C EV charger credit still active through June 2026. Add a Level 2 charger powered by your solar panels.
We know every NH utility's rates, net metering rules, and interconnection process. Get a custom quote that accounts for your specific utility territory and usage.
Complete guide to NH NEM 2.0 credit rates, annual true-up, and system size limits.
Read moreBattery sizing, backup priorities, and cost analysis for NH homeowners.
Read moreHow CPCNH works with solar net metering in participating towns.
Read moreAll available rebates for heat pumps, insulation, and efficiency upgrades.
Read moreCash, loan, lease, and PPA options after the federal tax credit expiration.
Read moreDetailed rate comparison with NEM credit calculations by utility.
Read moreNH PUC tariff schedules: Eversource NH, Liberty Utilities, Unitil, NHEC — effective January 2026.
NEM 2.0: NH PUC Docket DE 16-576. Credit formula: 100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution.
Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH): cpcnh.org, March 2026.
Property tax exemption: RSA 72:62, NH Department of Revenue Administration.
SB 303 (state rebate repeal): signed 2024, NH General Court.
Section 25D residential solar tax credit: expired December 31, 2025.
Section 48/48E commercial ITC: active through July 4, 2026 (construction start deadline).