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Renter, condo owner, or dealing with a shaded roof? New Hampshire community solar lets you subscribe to a share of a local solar farm and receive net metering credits on your utility bill. No panels on your property. No upfront cost. Save 5-15% on your electric bill.
5-15%
Typical Savings
off electric bill
$0
Upfront Cost
no installation
~85%
NEM Credit
of retail rate
40%+
CPCNH Coverage
of NH customers
Federal 25D ITC Expired
The residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Community solar subscribers were never eligible for 25D. NH has no state solar rebate (SB 303 repealed it). Community solar savings come entirely from discounted bill credits.
New Hampshire community solar operates under RSA 362-A:9, the group net metering statute. A developer builds a solar farm, and multiple subscribers share the output. Your portion of the electricity production generates NEM 2.0 credits on your utility bill.
Unlike rooftop solar, there is nothing to install at your home. The solar farm connects to the grid, and your utility (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, or NHEC) tracks your share and applies credits to your monthly bill.
Choose a community solar project operating under RSA 362-A:9 group net metering. No upfront cost in most programs, no installation at your home.
The off-site solar farm produces clean energy. Your proportional share of production is tracked by your utility (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, or NHEC).
Group net metering credits appear on your monthly electric bill. NEM 2.0 credits are approximately 85% of retail rate, not full 1:1.
You pay a subscription rate lower than the credit value, guaranteeing you save 5-15% on electricity. Some programs offer fixed monthly discounts.
NEM 2.0 Is Not 1:1 Retail
NH net metering credits are approximately 85% of retail rate (100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution). Community solar credits follow the same NEM 2.0 formula. This means you receive less than the full retail rate for each kWh your share of the farm produces.
Community solar is designed for anyone who cannot or does not want to install rooftop panels. You need an active electric account with an NH utility to participate.
No landlord permission needed. No roof modifications. Subscribe and save on your electric bill regardless of where you live.
Shared roofs and HOA restrictions are not a barrier. Community solar requires zero installation at your unit.
Trees, orientation, or small roof area making rooftop solar impossible? The community solar farm is professionally sited for maximum output.
New Hampshire has many historic homes where roof modifications are restricted or prohibited. Community solar avoids this entirely.
Commercial tenants, office renters, and small businesses with leased space can reduce electricity costs through group net metering subscriptions.
No upfront cost, no equipment to maintain, guaranteed net savings on every bill. Lower risk and lower commitment than rooftop solar.
The Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH) is a game-changer for energy in the state. Over 50 municipalities have joined, covering more than 40% of NH electricity customers. CPCNH aggregates electricity purchasing, typically offering supply rates 5-15% below utility defaults.
If you live in a CPCNH town, community solar still works. Your utility handles the delivery and net metering credits while CPCNH handles the supply portion of your bill. The interaction is important to understand: CPCNH may slightly reduce your NEM credit value (since the supply component could be lower), but your overall electricity cost is also lower, meaning the net savings from community solar remain competitive.
40%+
Customer Coverage
of NH electricity customers are served by CPCNH member towns
50+
Communities Enrolled
municipalities have joined the Community Power Coalition
5-15%
Typical Rate Savings
below utility default supply rates through aggregated purchasing
100%
Local Energy Focus
of CPCNH procurement prioritizes NH and NE clean energy sources
Community solar savings in NH are real but more modest than rooftop solar. The trade-off: zero upfront cost, zero risk, and zero maintenance for a smaller percentage of savings.
Your Monthly Electric Bill
$175
Group NEM Credit (your share)
-$40
Community Solar Subscription Fee
+$34
Your Net Monthly Savings
$6/mo
= $72/year, or roughly 3.4% off this example bill
Example is illustrative. Actual savings of 5-15% depend on your bill size, subscription share, and provider terms. Higher electric bills see proportionally more dollar savings.
| Feature | Community Solar | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $22,000-$26,000 (NH avg) |
| Installation on your roof | No | Yes (panels + inverter) |
| Roof ownership needed | No | Yes |
| Available to renters | Yes | No |
| Typical bill savings | 5-15% | 50-80% |
| Equipment maintenance | None (provider manages) | Homeowner responsibility |
| Contract length | 12-24 months typical | 25+ years (ownership) |
| Federal tax credit (25D) | N/A (expired) | N/A (expired Dec 2025) |
| Home value increase | No | Yes (~4% avg) |
| NEM credit type | Group/Virtual NEM | Direct NEM 2.0 (~85%) |
| Moving flexibility | Transfer or cancel | Stays with house |
| Property tax exempt (RSA 72:62) | No (not your asset) | Yes (~66% of towns) |
Community solar saves less than rooftop solar (5-15% vs 50-80%). But it requires zero upfront investment, zero maintenance, and works for anyone with an NH electric account. If you can install rooftop panels and have a suitable roof, rooftop solar will deliver far more savings over 25 years. Community solar is the right choice when rooftop is not feasible.
The NH community solar market is smaller than Massachusetts or New Jersey, but growing. Here are the best ways to find projects accepting subscribers.
National marketplace that lists NH community solar projects. Compare subscription rates and terms across providers.
Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, and NHEC may list approved group net metering projects or participating providers in their service territory.
If your town is part of the Community Power Coalition, check with your community power administrator. CPCNH increasingly facilitates community solar access for member towns.
The state energy office maintains information about renewable energy programs including community-scale solar development.
Expect Waitlists
NH community solar capacity is limited compared to larger state programs. Popular projects may have waitlists. Sign up early and consider joining multiple waitlists to improve your chances of getting a spot.
Community solar in New Hampshire allows you to subscribe to a share of an off-site solar farm and receive group net metering credits on your electricity bill under RSA 362-A:9. You do not need to install panels on your property. Credits at approximately 85% of retail rate (NEM 2.0) appear directly on your utility bill from Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, or NHEC.
Most NH community solar subscribers save between 5% and 15% on their electricity bill. Exact savings depend on the subscription rate, your utility rate, and production from the solar farm. Higher electric bills typically see proportionally more dollar savings. There is usually no upfront cost to subscribe.
No. Community solar is available to renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and homeowners. You just need an active electric account with one of the four NH utilities (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, or NHEC). This is one of the main advantages over rooftop solar.
The Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH) serves 40% or more of NH electricity customers across 50+ towns. CPCNH aggregates electricity purchasing, often at lower supply rates. If you are in a CPCNH town, community solar credits still work through your utility, but CPCNH may slightly reduce the credit value since the supply component can be lower. However, your overall electricity costs are also lower with CPCNH.
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Even when it was active, it did not apply to community solar subscriptions for residential customers. Community solar savings come from bill credits at a discounted subscription rate, not tax deductions.
If you move within the same utility territory, many providers allow you to transfer your subscription. If you move out of the service area, most contracts allow cancellation. Check your subscription agreement for specific portability and early termination terms before signing.
Whether community solar through group net metering or a rooftop system with NEM 2.0 credits, New Hampshire has viable paths to solar savings in 2026. NuWatt Energy can help you evaluate the best option for your situation.