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Average price of $2.80-$3.30/W for residential systems. No federal tax credit. No state rebate. NEM 2.0 credits locked through 2041 make it work.
Cost/Watt
$3.03
NH avg
8 kW System
$24,240
avg installed
Payback
9.5 yrs
cash purchase
25-Year Savings
$93K+
net after cost
Pricing for all 8 major NH markets. Costs vary by installer availability, utility territory, and local permitting.
| City | $/W Range | 8 kW Cost | Utility | Rate | NEM Credit | Prop. Tax Exempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManchesterLARGEST | $2.85-$3.20 | $24,200 | Eversource | $0.25/kWh | $0.21/kWh | Yes |
| Nashua | $2.90-$3.25 | $24,600 | Eversource | $0.25/kWh | $0.21/kWh | Yes |
| Concord | $2.85-$3.15 | $24,000 | Unitil | $0.26/kWh | $0.22/kWh | Yes |
| Dover | $2.80-$3.15 | $23,800 | Eversource | $0.25/kWh | $0.21/kWh | No |
| Rochester | $2.80-$3.10 | $23,600 | Eversource | $0.25/kWh | $0.21/kWh | No |
| Keene | $2.80-$3.15 | $23,800 | Liberty | $0.24/kWh | $0.20/kWh | Yes |
| Portsmouth | $2.95-$3.30 | $25,000 | Eversource | $0.25/kWh | $0.21/kWh | Yes |
| Laconia | $2.80-$3.10 | $23,600 | NHEC | $0.22/kWh | $0.19/kWh | No |
All prices are total installed costs (no incentive deductions). NEM credit rates are approximate and reflect ~85% of retail (100% supply + 100% transmission + 25% distribution). Property tax exemption requires town adoption of RSA 72:62.
The federal tax credit and state rebate are both gone. Here is an honest look at what remains.
Expired December 31, 2025. $0 for homeowner cash/loan solar purchases. An 8 kW system would have saved ~$7,272 at 30%. Now $0.
SB 303 (signed 2024) permanently repealed the $0.20/W state solar rebate. There is no state solar rebate in New Hampshire. Previously $0.20/W (max $1,000).
NH has no state sales tax on any purchase, including solar equipment and installation. In MA, this would save ~6.25% — NH buyers pay nothing extra.
Still available for third-party owned systems (TPO/PPA/lease) beginning construction before July 4, 2026. The financing company claims the 30% ITC, not the homeowner.
NH net metering is the single most important factor in your solar ROI. Understanding exactly how credits are calculated is critical.
Supply
100%
of supply charge
Transmission
100%
of transmission charge
Distribution
25%
of distribution charge
Effective Credit Rate
~85% of retail
NOT 1:1 retail rate. NEM 2.0 credits are approximately 75-95% of retail depending on utility and rate structure.
Rate Lock Through 2041
Docket DE 16-576 locks NEM 2.0 rates through January 1, 2041. This gives solar customers 15+ years of predictable returns.
System Cap: 1 MW
Residential systems up to 1 MW qualify for NEM 2.0. Most homes install 6-12 kW, well within the cap.
Credits Roll Over
Credits roll over indefinitely. Cash out at $100 threshold.
NOT 1:1 Retail
Unlike MA, NH does not offer full retail net metering. Plan for ~85% of retail rate when modeling savings. Some utilities may be slightly higher or lower.
Eversource
$0.21
/kWh NEM credit
Retail: $0.25/kWh
Liberty
$0.20
/kWh NEM credit
Retail: $0.24/kWh
Unitil
$0.22
/kWh NEM credit
Retail: $0.26/kWh
NHEC
$0.19
/kWh NEM credit
Retail: $0.22/kWh
Select your city, system size, and property tax status to see real costs and savings. No state rebate, no federal ITC — just honest numbers based on NEM 2.0 and NH electric rates.
Estimate your solar costs and savings. No state rebate (repealed 2024), no federal ITC (expired 2025). Savings come from NEM 2.0 credits and high electric rates.
Total Cost
$24,200
$3.03/W × 8 kW
Year 1 Savings
$2,244
Eversource @ $0.25/kWh
Payback Period
8.6 years
Incl. property tax savings
25-Year Net Savings
$72,407
After system cost, with 2.5% annual escalation
Important Notes
Savings model: 70% self-consumed at retail rate, 30% exported at NEM credit rate (~85% of retail). 2.5% annual rate escalation. Panel degradation of 0.4%/year. 25-year panel warranty standard.
New Hampshire has 4 utilities. Your utility determines your electric rate, NEM credit value, and interconnection timeline.
Retail Rate
$0.25
/kWh
NEM Credit
$0.21
/kWh
Service area: Southern and central NH (largest territory)
Community Power (CPCNH) available in some towns
Retail Rate
$0.24
/kWh
NEM Credit
$0.20
/kWh
Service area: Central and western NH (Salem, Keene, Littleton)
Community Power (CPCNH) available in some towns
Retail Rate
$0.26
/kWh
NEM Credit
$0.22
/kWh
Service area: Capital region (Concord, Hampton, Exeter)
Community Power (CPCNH) available in some towns
Retail Rate
$0.22
/kWh
NEM Credit
$0.19
/kWh
Service area: Northern NH and rural areas (118 towns)
Three ways to go solar in NH. Cash delivers the fastest payback. TPO/PPA is the only way to access any federal tax credit in 2026.
Pay upfront, own the system outright. All savings and NEM credits go to you.
Monthly Payment
$0 (paid upfront)
25-Year Total Cost
~$24,200
Pros
Cons
Finance through a bank or solar lender. You own the system and keep NEM credits.
Monthly Payment
$190-270/mo (15-20 year terms)
25-Year Total Cost
~$34,000-42,000 with interest
Pros
Cons
A financing company owns the system on your roof. They claim the 48/48E ITC (30%), you get reduced electricity rates.
Monthly Payment
$120-180/mo (fixed PPA rate)
25-Year Total Cost
~$36,000-54,000
Pros
Cons
What you will pay based on system size. All prices are before any savings (no federal tax credit, no state rebate).
| System Size | Panels | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | 12-15 | $14,150 - $16,250 | Small home, low usage |
| 6 kW | 15-18 | $16,800 - $19,500 | Condo or small ranch |
| 8 kWPOPULAR | 20-24 | $22,400 - $26,400 | Average NH home |
| 10 kW | 25-30 | $28,000 - $33,000 | Larger home or EV charging |
| 12 kW | 30-36 | $33,600 - $39,600 | High usage household |
Prices reflect NH average installed costs ($2.80-$3.30/W). No federal tax credit or state rebate is applied. Actual system size depends on your electricity consumption, roof orientation, shading, and snow load requirements.
Short answer: yes. Here is why New Hampshire solar still pencils out even with no tax credit and no state rebate.
NH averages $0.27/kWh — 48% above the national average. Every kWh your panels produce saves you more than it would in most US states. Even at ~85% NEM credit rates, exported power earns $0.19-$0.22/kWh — higher than full retail in many states.
This is NH's strongest solar advantage. Your NEM credit rate is locked for 15+ years under Docket DE 16-576. Many states are actively cutting net metering — NH has locked in favorable rates far into the future. Installers recommend acting now to guarantee these rates.
NH has no sales tax at all. In Massachusetts, you would pay 6.25% on a $24,240 system ($1,515). In NH, that is $0. Combine with the property tax exemption (RSA 72:62 in ~66% of towns), and your effective annual cost of ownership drops by ~$584/year.
States like TX and FL have lower electric rates ($0.12-0.16/kWh) and weaker net metering. Despite having the ITC previously, their payback periods were often 10-14 years. NH at 9.5 years (no incentives) outperforms many "incentive-rich" states because high rates and locked NEM do the heavy lifting.
NH electric rates have risen 3-5% annually over the past decade. With rate escalation, your year-10 savings are significantly higher than year-1. The 25-year net savings for a typical 8 kW system exceed $93K after system cost — a return of 382% on your investment.
Why NH solar prices range from $2.80 to $3.30/W depending on location, roof, and equipment.
Asphalt shingle roofs are cheapest. Metal roofs are common in NH and require specialized clamps. All racking must handle NH snow loads (50-70 lbs/sq ft in northern NH). Steeper pitches shed snow faster but cost more to install.
NH is at 42.7-45.3N latitude. South-facing at 35-40 degrees is ideal. East/west roofs produce 10-15% less. Northern NH has slightly lower annual production but longer summer days partially compensate.
NH is 84% forested, the second-most in the US. Tree removal or trimming is often needed. Microinverters handle partial shade better than string inverters but add $0.15-0.25/W. A shade analysis is critical before installation.
NH has fewer solar installers than MA or CT, which can limit pricing competition. Southern NH benefits from Boston-area installers crossing the border. Northern NH has fewer options and slightly higher costs.
NH has no statewide streamlined solar permitting. Timelines vary by town (2-4 weeks typical). Utility interconnection through Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, or NHEC adds 2-4 weeks. Total timeline: 6-12 weeks from contract to activation.
Premium panels (REC Alpha, SunPower Maxeon) cost $0.30-0.50/W more than standard Tier 1 (Qcells, Canadian Solar). Enphase microinverters add $0.15-0.25/W over string inverters. All carry 25-year warranties.
Answers to the most common questions about solar panel costs in New Hampshire in 2026.
Solar panels in NH cost $2.80-$3.30 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 8 kW system costs $22,400-$26,400, with the statewide average at $3.03/W or $24,240 for 8 kW. Costs are lower in Rochester and Laconia ($2.80-$3.10/W) and higher in Portsmouth ($2.95-$3.30/W). There is no federal tax credit (25D expired Dec 31, 2025) and no state rebate (SB 303 repealed it in 2024).
Yes, solar is still worth it in NH. Electric rates average $0.27/kWh (48% above the national average), and NEM 2.0 credits are locked through January 1, 2041. The payback period is approximately 9.5 years for cash purchases. After payback, you get 15+ years of nearly free electricity. The 25-year net savings exceed $90,000 for a typical 8 kW system. NH also has no sales tax and a property tax exemption in ~66% of towns.
NEM 2.0 (Net Energy Metering) credits excess solar production sent to the grid. NH credits are calculated as 100% of supply charges + 100% of transmission charges + 25% of distribution charges, which works out to approximately 85% of your full retail rate. Credits are NOT 1:1 at full retail. Credits roll over indefinitely and can be cashed out at a $100 threshold. NEM 2.0 rates are locked through January 1, 2041 under Docket DE 16-576.
For a cash purchase, solar pays for itself in approximately 9.5 years in NH. This factors in NEM 2.0 credits (~85% of retail), the property tax exemption (RSA 72:62, ~$584/year savings in adopting towns), and no sales tax. With a solar loan at 6-8% APR, payback extends to 12-15 years. After payback, you enjoy free electricity for 15+ additional years of the panel warranty.
Yes, under RSA 72:62, New Hampshire towns can vote to exempt solar energy systems from property tax assessment. Approximately 66% of NH municipalities (roughly 200 of 300+ towns) have adopted this exemption. You must check with your town assessor — it is not automatic statewide. In towns that have adopted it, this saves approximately $584/year based on a typical 8 kW system.
You personally cannot claim any federal tax credit. However, if you choose a third-party owned system (TPO/PPA/lease), the financing company can claim the Section 48/48E ITC at 30% for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. The ITC savings are passed through to you as a below-retail electricity rate. The system OWNER claims the ITC, not the homeowner. After July 4, 2026, this option disappears.
Unitil territory (Concord, Hampton, Exeter) offers the best combination: $0.26/kWh retail rate and $0.22/kWh NEM credit rate. Eversource has the largest territory (~71%) with $0.25/kWh and $0.21/kWh NEM credits. NHEC (northern NH) has the lowest rates at $0.22/kWh with $0.19/kWh NEM credits. Higher retail rates mean faster payback since you save more per kWh produced.
The NH state solar rebate ($0.20/W, max $1,000) was permanently repealed by SB 303, signed in 2024. There is no state solar rebate in New Hampshire. The only remaining state-level benefits are the property tax exemption (RSA 72:62, adopted town by town) and the absence of sales tax (NH has no sales tax on any purchase).
Explore more New Hampshire solar resources to make the best decision.
Complete guide to going solar in New Hampshire
Read moreHow NH solar works with no federal ITC
Read moreEverything about NH net metering and credits
Read moreProperty tax exemption and no sales tax
Read moreWhich financing option is best for NH?
Read moreAll New Hampshire energy guides in one place
Read moreSee exact pricing for your roof, your utility, and your town. Includes NEM 2.0 credit projections, property tax exemption status, and financing comparison. No obligation, no pressure.
No federal tax credit. No state rebate. Just honest numbers on what NH solar actually costs and saves in 2026.