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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteMost NH solar quotes contain at least one error that inflates your savings. The top issues: using 1:1 net metering instead of NEM 2.0 (85%), listing a state rebate that was repealed by SB 303, assuming property tax exemption without verifying your town, missing contractor license verification, and inflated production estimates.
The single biggest mistake in NH solar quotes
Many solar companies (especially out-of-state ones) model your savings assuming 1:1 net metering — meaning every kWh you export is credited at the full retail rate. This is wrong in New Hampshire. NH NEM 2.0 credits are calculated as 100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution, which works out to approximately 85% of your retail rate. On an 8 kW system producing 9,400 kWh/year, using 1:1 instead of 85% overstates your annual savings by $400-500 and makes the payback look 2-3 years shorter than reality.
If the quote shows 1:1 net metering or does not specify the credit rate, the savings projection is inflated.
The quote explicitly states "NEM 2.0 credit rate" with a value approximately 85% of your retail rate.
NEM 2.0 is locked through January 1, 2041 by Docket DE 16-576. The 85% rate will not change for 15+ years — this is good news for long-term modeling, as long as the quote uses the correct rate.
Watch for phantom incentives that don't exist
New Hampshire Senate Bill 303 (signed 2024) permanently repealed the state solar rebate program. Some solar quotes — particularly from national companies using templated proposals — still list a "state rebate" or "state incentive" line item. This inflates the apparent savings and reduces the quoted price artificially. The federal 25D residential ITC is also $0 as of January 1, 2026.
Any quote showing a state rebate, state tax credit, or "NH solar incentive" reducing your price is lying.
The quote shows $0 for state incentives and $0 for federal 25D ITC. It may correctly show property tax exemption as a benefit (not a cost reduction).
SB 303 was specifically designed to end the rebate program permanently. The NH General Court is not expected to revisit this. Any installer claiming "the rebate might come back" is speculating.
This varies town-by-town in NH
Under RSA 72:62, New Hampshire towns can vote to exempt solar installations from property tax assessments. About 66% of NH towns have adopted this exemption. But the remaining 34% have not — meaning your solar panels could increase your assessed property value and your annual property tax. Some quotes assume the exemption applies when it does not, or they ignore it entirely.
Quote assumes property tax exemption without confirming your specific town has adopted RSA 72:62.
Quote states your town's exemption status and includes the tax impact (positive or negative) in the financial model.
RSA 72:62 is a LOCAL option — the state allows it but each town must vote to adopt it. Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth, and most larger towns have adopted it. Some smaller rural towns have not.
NH requires specific licensing for solar installers
In New Hampshire, solar installations require a licensed electrician (Master or Journeyman) for the electrical work and a general contractor license for the structural work. Some companies subcontract the installation to unlicensed crews, which can void your equipment warranty, create code violations, and leave you liable if something goes wrong. NH does not have a separate "solar installer" license — it falls under electrical contracting.
Contractor cannot provide a valid NH electrical license number or current COI when asked.
Contractor immediately provides license number, COI, and explains who will perform the installation.
NH requires electrical permits from the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Your town's building inspector must approve the installation. Some towns (like Portsmouth) have additional historic district requirements. Ask your installer if they've pulled permits in your town before.
The math must add up using NH-specific data
A solar quote should show estimated annual production (in kWh) matched against your actual annual electricity consumption. NH averages about 4.0-4.3 peak sun hours per day, which translates to roughly 1,150-1,250 kWh per kW installed per year. If the quote shows significantly more than this, the production estimate may be inflated. If the quote doesn't match production to your actual bills, the savings projection is meaningless.
Production estimate exceeds 1,300 kWh per kW installed, or the quote does not reference your actual utility bills.
Production estimate is 1,150-1,250 kWh/kW, matches your roof's actual conditions, and uses your utility's NEM 2.0 credit rate.
NH latitude (~43°N) means significant production variation between summer and winter. A good quote should show monthly production breakdown, not just annual. Expect 60-70% of production in April-September and 30-40% in October-March.
Here is what the same solar installation looks like in an honest quote versus one that overstates savings.
| Line Item | Honest Quote | Inflated Quote | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| System size (kW) | 8.4 kW | 10 kW | Oversizing costs more without proportional benefit |
| Panel brand/model | Silfab SIL-440 BK (specific) | "Tier 1 panel" (vague) | You need the exact model to verify warranty and specs |
| Inverter brand/model | Enphase IQ8+ microinverters | "String inverter" (no brand) | Inverter type affects performance and warranty |
| Net metering rate | $0.21/kWh (85% of retail) | $0.25/kWh (1:1) | NH NEM 2.0 is NOT 1:1 |
| State rebate | $0 (SB 303 repealed) | $1,500 state rebate | No state rebate exists in NH |
| Federal 25D ITC | $0 (expired Dec 2025) | 30% ($7,500) | 25D is dead for homeowners |
| Property tax note | RSA 72:62 adopted in your town | Not mentioned | Must verify with town |
| Production estimate | 9,400 kWh/yr (1,119 kWh/kW) | 13,000 kWh/yr (1,300 kWh/kW) | NH max is ~1,250 kWh/kW |
| Annual savings | $1,974 (uses NEM 2.0 rate) | $3,250 (uses 1:1 rate) | Difference of $1,276/year |
| Payback period | 12.5 years (realistic) | 7 years (fantasy) | No ITC + no state rebate = longer payback |
The inflated quote shows a payback of 7 years and savings of $3,250/year. The honest quote shows a payback of 12.5 years and savings of $1,974/year. That is a $1,276/year gap in expected savings. Over 25 years, the inflated quote overstates your total benefit by $31,900. This is not a minor rounding difference — it is a fundamentally different financial decision.
Clip this and bring it to your solar consultation.
Get at least 3 quotes from different companies. Include at least one local NH company and one larger regional/national installer. Comparing quotes side-by-side using the same criteria (NEM 2.0 credit rate, no phantom incentives, actual production estimates) reveals which companies are honest about your savings.
No. NH NEM 2.0 credits are calculated as 100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution, resulting in credits worth approximately 85% of your retail rate. Any solar quote that assumes 1:1 net metering in NH is overstating your savings. This rate structure is locked through January 1, 2041.
No. New Hampshire Senate Bill 303 (2024) permanently repealed the state solar rebate program. The Renewable Energy Fund rebate no longer exists. Any solar quote that includes a state rebate is incorrect.
It depends on your town. Under RSA 72:62, NH towns can vote to exempt solar installations from property tax. About 66% of towns have adopted this. You must verify with your town clerk or assessor whether your specific town has adopted the exemption.
NH solar installers need a Master or Journeyman Electrician license for the electrical work. Verify the license at oplc.nh.gov (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification). Also request a Certificate of Insurance showing general liability and workers compensation coverage.
Residential solar in NH costs $2.85-$3.25 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 8 kW system costs $22,800-$26,000. There is no federal ITC for homeowners (25D expired) and no state rebate (SB 303). NH has no sales tax, which is a slight advantage over neighboring states.
Without federal or state incentives, the realistic payback for residential solar in NH is 10-14 years, depending on your utility rate, system size, and roof conditions. Any quote showing payback under 8 years should be scrutinized for inflated production estimates or phantom incentives.
With a lease or PPA, a third-party company owns the system and can claim the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (up to 30%). They pass some of that savings to you as a lower rate. This can make sense in NH since homeowners cannot claim any federal credit. However, you do not own the system and savings are lower over 25 years compared to a cash purchase. Compare the lease/PPA rate to your current utility rate carefully.
We use NEM 2.0 rates, no phantom incentives, and real production data. Compare quotes from vetted NH installers.