Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in New Hampshire – CNET

New Hampshire residents face some of the highest electricity bills in the US. The Granite State saw the highest year-over-year increase in electricity rates in June 2023, jumping by more than 30%. To recoup some of those increasing costs, it’s worth exploring whether installing solar panels is the right course of action for you.

New Hampshire residents have access to incentives at the state and federal level that make going solar more attractive. The state’s net metering program allows residents to send excess solar energy to the grid and earn credits that they can use to pull energy from the grid outside of peak sunlight hours. A municipality-based property tax exemption also tamps down prices by wiping out taxes on the value the solar panels add to your home. 

The federal Inflation Reduction Act bolsters key federal tax credits and rebates that lower the upfront cost of solar installation as well. However, your potential savings are going to vary depending on several factors — including your location, the size of your solar system and the pitch of your roof.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect if you’re looking to install solar panels in New Hampshire, starting with the best solar installation companies operating within the state.

Best national solar panel companies in New Hampshire

Local solar panel companies in New Hampshire

How to determine which solar company in New Hampshire is best for me

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are 65 solar companies operating in New Hampshire, including 24 installers. With so many options, it’s important you take the time to choose the right solar panel company for your home. There are several variables you should consider before locking in a contract with a solar installer.

First, look into the company’s installation process. Many solar companies use in-house employees to perform installations, but some others hire out subcontractors to do the work on your home. Look into your chosen company’s installation process and what it could mean for you.

More importantly, make sure the solar company has the proper product you want (solar panels, solar batteries, etc.), offers long and fair warranties and has good customer service ratings.

Before choosing a solar panel installer, make sure to consult with and get bids from at least four to five companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal you possibly can.

Cost of solar panels in New Hampshire

Here’s a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com.

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","Typical system size (kW)","Price per watt","Total installed cost","Cost after 30% federal tax credit"],["New Hampshire","6","$4.22","$25,320","$17,724"],["National average","8.6","$3.67","$31,558","$22,091"]],"chartName":"Average cost of solar panels in New Hampshire","headingRows":""}” edition=”us” class=”c-shortcodeChart”>

Average cost of solar panels in New Hampshire

Typical system size (kW) Price per watt Total installed cost Cost after 30% federal tax credit New Hampshire 6 $4.22 $25,320 $17,724 National average 8.6 $3.67 $31,558 $22,091

The following infographic map displays the average total cash price, cost per watt and system size for a solar panel system in your state, according to data from FindEnergy.com. These prices don’t represent rebates from tax credits or state incentives. Certain states don’t have any FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.

New Hampshire solar panel incentives or rebates

The cost of solar panels has decreased significantly over the past decade, but they can still run tens of thousands of dollars. With the help of federal tax credits and New Hampshire solar incentives and rebates, though, you can lessen the financial burden of going solar. 

The Inflation Reduction Act extended the federal residential clean energy credit (formerly known as the solar investment tax credit) until 2034. This credit allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system from your federal tax.

Installing solar power will increase the value of your home and thus your property taxes. In certain parts of New Hampshire, you may be eligible for a property tax exemption when you install solar panels. New Hampshire doesn’t have any sales tax either. 

If you own solar panels, you can also take advantage of net metering with your utility company. By selling excess energy produced by your solar panels back to the grid, you’ll receive credits that can be applied to future electric bills. 

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New Hampshire solar incentives

Program Description Local property tax exemption Your home’s value will increase when you add solar panels to it. Depending on your town or city in New Hampshire, though, you won’t see increases to your property taxes from your solar panels. This can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your solar system’s lifespan. Net metering New Hampshire net metering law states that if your utility is Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative or Unitil, you can sell your excess solar energy back to the power company in exchange for credits. Those credits can be applied to offset the cost of future electricity bills. Residential clean energy credit The residential clean energy credit, previously known as a solar investment tax credit (ITC), offers up to 30% in tax credits to consumers who purchase solar panels — no matter how you finance them.

How to pay for solar panels in New Hampshire

Going solar is a costly investment, even though solar panel systems eventually pay for themselves. It takes quite a bit of time to see that return on your investment.

“In New Hampshire, the payback period is about seven years for a solar array,” Sam Evans-Brown said in a phone call. Evans-Brown is the executive director at Clean Energy New Hampshire, a renewable energy advocacy group. “That’s not short, but these are investments that pay for themselves in time.”  

Even with the help of incentives and rebates, it might not be feasible to pay upfront for a purchase that’ll run you tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you choose to shell out cash, take out a loan or tap into your home’s equity, it’s worth researching your options.  

Cash: If it fits your budget, you can pay cash upfront to cover the cost of your solar panels and installation. If you aren’t ready to buy just yet, you can take advantage of rising interest rates by saving for your future solar system in a high-yield savings account. 

Solar loan: Solar loans are available from a variety of sources. Some solar providers partner with a credit union to offer them. While these loans are easy to apply for, they may have higher rates or fees than options from a bank or credit union.

Home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC): Another option is to tap into your home’s existing equity with a home equity loan or HELOC. Often used for home improvements, home equity loans and HELOCs allow you to finance such improvements without disturbing the rate on your primary mortgage. However, defaulting on a home equity loan or HELOC could lead to losing your house.

Lease or power purchase agreement: You can enter into a lease or power purchase agreement with a solar provider. In these cases, the solar provider owns the panels and you pay for the equipment (via lease) or the power your system generates (via PPA).

Installation factors to consider

Solar panels have many benefits. However, they might not be the best fit for your home. Here’s what to consider.

Your roof’s condition and pitch: Before installing solar panels on your roof, make sure it’s in good condition. A reputable company will inspect your roof’s condition and pitch prior to installation. Keep in mind, the pitch of your roof will impact the productivity of your solar panels as well as the cost of installation. The steeper your roof, the more likely you’ll see some upcharges. According to the Department of Energy, your solar array will work most efficiently at an angle of 15 and 40 degrees.

Homeowners Associations (HOA) and neighborhood rules: If you live in a community with a homeowner’s association, it’s always a good idea to check for any rules or covenants regarding solar panels, as some HOAs require prior permission to installation. Solar access laws in New Hampshire allow neighbors to negotiate solar easements in order to receive optimal sun exposure for their arrays. New Hampshire HOAs are allowed to bar or restrict solar panel installations.

Insurance coverage: It’s a good idea to include your solar panels in your homeowner’s insurance policy. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover rooftop solar panels.

Geographic location: While New Hampshire is known for its snowy winters, solar panels can be even more effective in cold temperatures. Your solar panels will convert sunlight photons into electricity as long as sunlight reaches the surface of the panels. New Hampshire averages 198 days of sun per year — slightly below the national average of 205 days of sun per year.

Cost: Choosing to go solar is a big financial decision. Consider how long you plan to live in your house before committing to a solar loan, lease or power purchase agreement. Consider financing options to ensure you’re making the financial move that fits your budget and priorities.

Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out portable solar panels and solar generators.  

How we found the best solar companies