Is there a limit to the amount of solar panels a house can have in New Hampshire?

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.

How much to install solar panels in New Hampshire?

Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $4.22 in New Hampshire. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $42,230 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.

How much do solar panels add to house value in New Hampshire?

Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.

What direction should solar panels face in New Hampshire?

To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.

How many solar panel installers in New Hampshire?

Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 16 verified solar install companies in New Hampshire

Solar Energy in New Hampshire

Solar Rates, Incentives, Plans & Statistics

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Going solar in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, an average home needs a 6kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $4.22 in New Hampshire, a 6kW system can cost around $25,338 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Select your county by clicking on the map and see the potential generated solar power and panel pricing. See how it compares with the US state average.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.

New Hampshire: $21,115US Average: $18,170

Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.

New Hampshire: 11 yearsUS Average: 11 years

Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.

New Hampshire: $18,539US Average: $14,954

Solar Potential in New Hampshire

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
New Hampshire.

Roof size 536sq. ft.

Capacity 7.5kW DC

Electricity 8.3kkWh AC per yr.

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Compare solar panels by system size in New Hampshire

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 2kW

Roof Size Min. space required

143 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $735 a year

Est. Price

$8,446

Savings from a 2kWthis system

Est. yearly production 2,656 kWh
Est. monthly savings $61
Full payback in 11 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.5 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 23 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 1,248 mi less a year

System Size 3kW

Roof Size Min. space required

215 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,102 a year

Est. Price

$12,669

Savings from a 3kWthis system

Est. yearly production 3,984 kWh
Est. monthly savings $92
Full payback in 11 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.76 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 35 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 1,873 mi less a year

System Size 4kW

Roof Size Min. space required

286 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,469 a year

Est. Price

$16,892

Savings from a 4kWthis system

Est. yearly production 5,312 kWh
Est. monthly savings $122
Full payback in 11 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.01 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 46 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,497 mi less a year

System Size 5kW

Roof Size Min. space required

358 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,837 a year

Est. Price

$21,115

Savings from a 5kWthis system

Est. yearly production 6,640 kWh
Est. monthly savings $153
Full payback in 11 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.26 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 58 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,121 mi less a year

System Size 6kW

Roof Size Min. space required

429 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $2,204 a year

Est. Price

$25,338

Savings from a 6kWthis system

Est. yearly production 7,967 kWh
Est. monthly savings $165
Full payback in 13 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.36 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 62 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,365 mi less a year

Current utility bill:

New Hampshire solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

New Hampshire has 9 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

Residential Small Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Value:Up to $1

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission manages a centralized incentive program for homeowners installing new renewable energy systems. Rebates are funded through penalty fees paid by utilities as part of the state's renewable portfolio standard law. Qualifying projects include solar PV and wind microturbines. Solar systems should be UL certified, while wind systems are subject to minimum speed, setback, and height requirements. The total rebate amount will vary depending on a system's capacity. Currently, the incentive rate is 20 cents per watt up to a maximum of $1,000 or 30% of the original purchase price. Additional information is available from the PUC website.

Commercial & Industrial Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $10,000

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission manages a centralized incentive program for homeowners installing new solar water heaters and HVAC systems. Rebates are funded through penalty fees paid by utilities as part of renewable portfolio standard laws. Qualifying projects should meet all applicable local, state, and federal standards, with the project owner requesting funding and obtaining an energy efficiency audit prior to installation. Homeowners served by a local public utility do not qualify as they are not subject to the renewable portfolio standard. Additional information is available through the PUC website.

Residential Solar Water Heating Rebates

Value:Up to $1,900

Any New Hampshire homeowner may qualify for a rebate on new solar water heaters regardless of which utility they use. Incentives are offered through the state Public Utilities Commission and are funded through penalty fees assessed to utilities as part of the state's renewable portfolio standard. Rebate amounts are fixed and depend on the BTU capacity of the heater, ranging from $1,500 to $1,900. Homeowners must apply and earn preapproval before purchasing and installing their system through a participating contractor. Additional information is available through the PUC website.

Residential Solar Water Heating Rebates

Value:Up to $1,500

Local Option - Energy Efficiency & Clean Energy Districts

Value:Varies

Local and county governments in New Hampshire may create property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs to support property owners making renewable energy investments or energy efficiency improvements. Effectively, PACE funding comes from the government, with applications and screening handled through a private lender. Repayment will take the form of a property tax lien senior to mortgages. Should the owner sell or transfer their property, the new owner will be responsible for the loan. Any commercial, industrial, or large multi-family residential property may qualify for PACE loans. Single-family homes or multi-family properties below 5 units do not qualify due to regulatory concerns from the FHFA. Potential applicants should check with their local government to determine financing options and requirements for participation.

Renewable Portfolio Standard

Value:Varies

In New Hampshire, all private utilities and electrical cooperatives are required to comply with a renewable portfolio standard dictating the state's investment in clean energy. Current objectives require at least 25.2% of retail electricity in the state to be sourced renewably by 2025. Eligible technologies include solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, and some landfill gas systems. Compliance with the standard is measured using a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) system pegging a fixed amount of electricity to a variable dollar value. Each renewable energy device generates RECs, though utilities are expected to purchase much of their share of RECs from private customers. Should a utility fail to meet its quota of RECs, it will be assessed a penalty charge for each kilowatt it is deficient. Additional information is available from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission website.

Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy and Electrical Energy Storage

Value:Varies

In New Hampshire, local governments may elect to create property tax exemptions on solar/wind energy systems, electrical storage devices, and wood-burning thermal systems (not fireplaces). Exemptions for each system should be enacted separately rather than all together. Currently, 135 localities have these exemptions within their tax codes. Interested property owners should consult with their local assessor for additional information on the specific statutes that may apply to them.

Enterprise Energy Fund Loans

Value:Varies

The Enterprise Energy Fund is a revolving loan program sponsored by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) and Community Loan Fund (CLF). Commercial property owners can borrow EEF loans to make a variety of energy efficiency upgrades or install new renewable energy systems. Repaid funds immediately "revolve" to another borrower, allowing for perpetual state investment and continued support through interest. Loans from $50,000 to $500,000 may be repaid over 10 years, with variable interest depending on the length of the repayment period and the tax status of the borrower. Nonprofit agencies may receive lower interest rates and more tailored repayment plans. Additional information is available from the CDFA website.

Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Grants

Value:Varies

In New Hampshire, large commercial, industrial, nonprofit, or public-sector properties may be eligible for renewable energy grants through the state's Public Utilities Commission. Grants range from $150,000 to $1 million in size and can support new solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, or geothermal generation and thermal systems. Finished installations should be interconnected to the electrical grid under a net metering agreement. Additional information is available from the PUC website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $4.22 in New Hampshire. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $42,230 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 16 verified solar install companies in New Hampshire