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10 scams targeting NH homeowners. The biggest: companies still advertising the 30% federal tax credit that expired in 2025 and a state rebate that SB 303 repealed in 2024. Know what to look for before you sign anything.
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Federal ITC (Expired)
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State Rebate (SB 303)
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Red Flags to Watch
NH is the only New England state where BOTH the federal residential ITC ($0 since Jan 1, 2026) AND the state solar rebate ($0 since SB 303 in 2024) are gone. This means scam companies inflating savings by referencing either of these nonexistent incentives can overstate your actual savings by 30-40%. Combined with NEM 2.0 being misrepresented as 1:1, the fraud potential is enormous.
From fake tax credits to hidden fees, here are the scams you need to watch for in New Hampshire in 2026.
The Section 25D residential solar ITC expired December 31, 2025. It is $0 for homeowners in 2026. Any company advertising a 30% credit is either uninformed or lying.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, eliminated the residential solar ITC. Section 25D of the Internal Revenue Code is dead. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan get $0 in federal tax credits.
NH is a prime target for this scam because there is ALSO no state rebate (SB 303 repealed it). A company inflating savings by 30% with a nonexistent credit is painting a completely false picture of the economics.
The exception: Section 48/48E is still active for commercial and third-party owners (lease/PPA companies). But the homeowner does NOT claim this credit. If a company tells you that YOU get 30% off YOUR taxes, that is fraud.
What to Ask
Under what IRC section does the residential solar tax credit exist in 2026?
Correct Answer
It does not. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. If they cannot answer this, leave immediately.
SB 303, signed in 2024, permanently repealed the NH state solar rebate. There is no state rebate, incentive check, or direct cash incentive for residential solar in NH.
The NH Renewable Energy Fund previously offered a small rebate ($0.20/W, capped at $1,000). SB 303 killed it permanently. There is no replacement program and no plans for one.
Some companies still have old marketing materials referencing this rebate. Others deliberately reference it to make their quotes look cheaper. Either way, it is wrong and potentially illegal under NH RSA 358-A (Consumer Protection Act).
Do NOT confuse NHSaves utility programs (heat pumps, insulation, weatherization) with solar incentives. NHSaves does NOT provide solar panel rebates.
What to Ask
What is the current NH state solar rebate amount, and where do I apply?
Correct Answer
There is no NH state solar rebate. SB 303 repealed it in 2024. If they cite one, walk away.
NH NEM 2.0 is NOT 1:1 retail. Credits are 100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution = approximately 85% of retail. Overstating this inflates your savings by ~15%.
The NH PUC established NEM 2.0 after Docket DE 16-576. For an Eversource customer paying $0.25/kWh, the NEM credit is approximately $0.21/kWh, not $0.25.
Over a 25-year system life, the difference between 85% and 100% credits on an 8 kW system amounts to $4,000-$6,000 in overstated savings.
The good news: NEM 2.0 rates are locked through January 1, 2041. But they must be represented accurately.
What to Ask
What NEM rate are you using in my savings model -- full retail or NEM 2.0?
Correct Answer
NEM 2.0 at approximately 85% of retail (100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution).
Solar is never free. $0-down solar loans, leases, and PPAs all have costs. With no federal ITC for homeowners and no state rebate, the math makes "free" even more impossible.
A $0-down solar loan still costs $34,000-$42,000 over 15-20 years at 6-8% APR. A lease or PPA means a monthly payment for 20-25 years to a company that owns the system on your roof.
Companies using "free solar" language are exploiting confusion about the expired ITC. Previously, the 30% credit made the upfront cost feel much lower. Now it does not exist.
Ask for the total cost of ownership over 25 years, including all interest, fees, and escalators. Compare that to doing nothing.
What to Ask
What is the total amount I will pay over 25 years, including all interest and fees?
Correct Answer
They should give you a clear total. For an 8 kW system: $24,000 cash, $34,000-42,000 with a loan, $36,000-54,000 for a lease/PPA.
Aggressive door-to-door salespeople have increased in NHs Lakes Region, Seacoast, and southern border towns. High-pressure tactics combined with false ITC and rebate claims.
Reports to the NH AG Consumer Protection Bureau have increased in Laconia, Wolfeboro, Meredith, and other Lakes Region towns where seasonal homeowners are targeted.
Common tactics: "This offer is only available today," "We have a limited number of installations in your area," "Sign now to lock in the tax credit before it disappears" (it already disappeared).
NH does not require door-to-door solar sales permits at the state level, but some towns have local solicitation ordinances. You ALWAYS have a 3-day right to cancel any contract signed at your home under FTC rules.
What to Ask
Can I have 48 hours to review this with my own research before signing?
Correct Answer
Any legitimate company will say yes. If they pressure you to sign immediately, that is your answer.
Some solar companies charge 20-30% dealer fees built into the loan principal. On a $24,000 system, that could add $5,000-$7,200 you never see itemized.
Dealer fees are commissions paid by the solar company to the lender, then baked into your loan balance. A $24,000 system with a 25% dealer fee means you actually borrow $30,000.
Without the ITC to offset costs, these hidden fees are even more damaging. You are already paying full price -- adding $5,000+ in hidden fees makes the payback period years longer.
Always ask for the total cash price AND the total financed amount. If the financed amount is significantly higher than the cash price (beyond normal interest), there are hidden dealer fees.
What to Ask
What is the cash price of my system, and what is the total loan amount? Is there a dealer fee?
Correct Answer
The financed amount should be close to the cash price. If it is 20-30% higher, there is a dealer fee.
NH law requires electricians to hold a valid license from the NH Electricians Board. Any company installing solar must have licensed electricians on staff.
Verify licenses through the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) at oplc.nh.gov. All electrical work in NH requires proper licensing.
Out-of-state companies sometimes enter NH without proper credentials, especially national chains that subcontract to the lowest bidder. Ask for the specific license number of the electrician who will perform your installation.
Red flag: companies that say "our subcontractor handles the electrical" without providing the subcontractors NH license information.
What to Ask
What is the NH electrician license number for the person who will wire my system?
Correct Answer
They should provide a specific license number you can verify at oplc.nh.gov.
NH gets approximately 1,175 peak sun hours per year. Realistic production is 1,100-1,300 kWh per installed kW. Companies claiming 1,400+ are overstating production.
A legitimate 8 kW system in NH produces 9,000-10,400 kWh/year depending on roof orientation, tilt, and shading. Claims above 11,000 kWh for an 8 kW system are unrealistic.
Overestimating production inflates the savings projection, making the payback look shorter. Combined with fake ITC and rebate claims, this creates a triple deception.
Ask for the production estimate per kW. Anything above 1,300 kWh/kW in NH requires justification (perfect south-facing roof at optimal tilt with zero shading).
What to Ask
What is your projected production per installed kW, and what software did you use to model it?
Correct Answer
1,100-1,300 kWh/kW is realistic for NH. They should be using Aurora, PVWatts, or Helioscope.
NHSaves provides rebates for heat pumps, insulation, and weatherization -- NOT for solar panels. Any company claiming NHSaves solar rebates is wrong.
NHSaves is funded by all four NH electric utilities (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, NHEC) and provides rebates for energy efficiency improvements like heat pumps ($250-$1,250/ton), insulation, and home energy audits.
NHSaves has NEVER provided solar panel rebates. The state solar rebate that was repealed by SB 303 came from the NH Renewable Energy Fund, which is a completely separate program.
If a company says "you qualify for NHSaves solar incentives," they either do not understand NH programs or are deliberately misleading you.
What to Ask
Can you show me the NHSaves webpage that lists solar panel rebates?
Correct Answer
They cannot, because NHSaves does not offer solar rebates. Only heat pump and efficiency rebates.
NH law and FTC rules require a written contract before any work starts. The contract must include the total price, system specifications, timeline, warranty terms, and cancellation rights.
Your contract should clearly state: cash price with no ITC or rebate deductions, system size (kW), panel brand/model, inverter type, production estimate, warranty duration, and cancellation rights.
For contracts signed at your home (door-to-door sales), you have a federal 3-day right to cancel under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule. The contract must include a cancellation form.
Never pay more than 10-15% as a deposit before materials are delivered. Never pay in full before the system is installed and passes inspection.
What to Ask
Can I see the complete contract including cancellation rights before I sign anything?
Correct Answer
Yes. Any refusal to provide a written contract is an immediate deal-breaker.
NHs Lakes Region (Laconia, Wolfeboro, Meredith, Gilford) and Seacoast (Portsmouth, Hampton, Exeter) are prime targets for door-to-door solar scams due to higher property values and seasonal homeowner populations.
Seasonal pressure: Companies target homeowners in summer when they are present, using urgency tactics like "prices go up in fall."
Out-of-state companies: National firms flood NH border towns and tourist areas with unlicensed sales teams from MA and ME.
Higher home values = bigger systems = bigger fraud: Lakes Region homes often need 10-12 kW systems. A 30% fake ITC on a $36,000 system is $10,800 of phantom savings.
Ask for a written quote -- never sign at the door
Verify the salesperson has NH-specific product knowledge
Confirm they know NEM 2.0 is ~85% (not 1:1)
Check if they know SB 303 repealed the state rebate
Verify their NHEC or Eversource interconnection experience
Ask for references specifically in your town
Confirm 3-day cancellation rights in writing
Before signing any solar contract in New Hampshire, complete every step on this list.
Verify NH electrician license at oplc.nh.gov
Check BBB rating and complaint history
Search NH AG Consumer Protection complaints
Confirm $0 federal ITC on the quote
Confirm $0 state rebate on the quote
Verify NEM 2.0 (~85%) in savings model
Get the total cash price before financing
Ask for 5 local NH references
Read the full contract before signing
Confirm 3-day cancellation rights
Consumer Protection Bureau
1-888-468-4454
doj.nh.gov/consumer
For fraud, misrepresentation, deceptive practices under RSA 358-A
Interconnection & utility issues
603-271-2431
puc.nh.gov
For NEM disputes, utility interconnection delays, rate billing issues
Licensing verification & complaints
oplc.nh.gov
Through OPLC portal
For unlicensed electrical work, code violations, safety issues
Shows "Federal Solar Tax Credit: -$7,272 (30%)" — THIS DOES NOT EXIST
Shows "NH State Rebate: -$1,000" — THIS WAS REPEALED IN 2024
Uses full retail rate for NEM instead of NEM 2.0 (~85%)
Claims 12,000+ kWh annual production for 8 kW (impossible in NH)
Shows payback under 7 years (unrealistic without incentives)
The biggest scam is companies advertising the 30% federal solar tax credit, which expired on December 31, 2025. The Section 25D residential ITC is $0 in 2026. Combined with the repealed NH state rebate (SB 303, 2024), any company claiming you will receive 30%+ in credits or rebates is committing fraud. New Hampshire is uniquely vulnerable because BOTH federal and state incentives are gone.
Verify through the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) at oplc.nh.gov. All electricians performing solar installations must hold a valid NH electrician license. Also check the Better Business Bureau, and search for complaints with the NH Attorney General Consumer Protection Bureau at doj.nh.gov/consumer or 1-888-468-4454.
Yes. File a complaint with the NH Attorney General Consumer Protection Bureau at 1-888-468-4454 or online at doj.nh.gov/consumer. For interconnection issues, contact the NH Public Utilities Commission at 603-271-2431. For licensing violations, contact the NH Electricians Board through OPLC. Misrepresenting the federal tax credit or a nonexistent state rebate may constitute fraud under NH RSA 358-A.
Correct. SB 303 was signed in 2024 and permanently repealed the NH state solar rebate program. There is no state rebate, incentive check, or direct cash incentive for residential solar in NH. The only remaining NH solar benefits are NEM 2.0 net metering credits (~85% of retail, locked through 2041), RSA 72:62 local property tax exemptions (~66% of towns), and no state sales tax.
Yes, solar leases and PPAs are legitimate. The third-party system owner can claim the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%) on projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. They pass some savings to you through a below-retail electricity rate. The key: YOU do not claim any tax credit. YOU do not own the system. Legitimate companies explain this clearly. Scam companies tell you that YOU get the 30% credit.
A legitimate 2026 NH solar quote should show: (1) Cash price with $0 federal ITC and $0 state rebate. (2) System size in kW and realistic production (1,100-1,300 kWh/kW). (3) NEM 2.0 savings at ~85% of retail, NOT 1:1. (4) RSA 72:62 property tax status for your town. (5) Total payback of 9-11 years. (6) NH electrician license number. Any quote showing a 30% federal credit or state rebate line item is fraudulent.
Yes. Under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule, you have 3 business days to cancel any contract signed at your home or any location that is not the sellers permanent place of business. The company must provide you with a cancellation form at the time of signing. If they did not, the cancellation period may be extended. NH RSA 361-B also provides consumer protections for home solicitation sales.
Look for three red flags in savings projections: (1) A 30% federal tax credit line item (expired). (2) A state rebate line item (repealed by SB 303). (3) Net metering at 1:1 retail rate (NH NEM 2.0 is ~85%). A legitimate projection for an 8 kW system in NH should show a gross cost of $24,000-$25,000, year-one savings of $2,200-$2,800, and payback of 9-11 years.
We show the real numbers: $0 federal ITC, $0 state rebate, NEM 2.0 at ~85%. No tricks, no hidden fees, no fake incentives. Just honest solar economics for New Hampshire.