New Hampshire State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

New Hampshire State Picture

Solar Legislator Score: New Hampshire State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives New Hampshire State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

Not bad, but there has been little legislative effort promoting residential solar power.

The State of New Hampshire appears to have a fairly aggressive program aimed at promoting energy efficiency, in both residential and business applications. However, the only recent solar initiative has been to mandate higher use of renewable energy sources by the state’s electric utility providers. Incentives for residential users have been very limited.

State Legislation

The most significant solar power legislation, House Bill 0873, was signed into law on May 11th, 2007 by New Hampshire Governor John Lynch. The “Electric Renewable Portfolio Standard” will require electric utilities to utilize solar power for 0.3% of their electrical power generation by the year 2014. The law also requires that by 2025, 16% of the state’s electricity needs must be supplied by other renewable energy sources. The full text of the bill can be found at:
HB0873.

Another state initiative, the “New Hampshire Solar on Schools Program” deserves honorable mention. Under grants administered by a joint partnership of the Governor’s Office of Energy and Community Service (ECS), Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), and Solar Works, Inc., of Wilton, NH, selected high schools are being equipped with a roof-mounted 1-kilowatt photovoltaic cell solar system. The program was started in 1998.

Utility Rebates, Utility Loans and Utility Programs

New Hampshire has a population of about 1.3 million people and an area of roughly 9,000 square miles that ranks it 40-something in size in the nation. In 2006, it was among the top 15 states participating in the EPA/DOE joint “Energy Star” program, in which 17% of the new homes being built in New Hampshire are typically 20% – 30% more energy efficient than conventional housing.

Although the state offers a number of incentive programs to businesses and homeowners for energy efficiency, few incentives are provided to promote alternative energy sources. “The State of New Hampshire does not offer grants, loans or rebates for the purchase or installation of renewable energy systems”, reports the state’s Office of Energy and Planning.

State law allows municipalities to offer renewable incentives in the form of property tax exemptions; 62 cities and towns (a little more than one-third of New Hampshire’s municipalities) offer these incentives. Solar technologies included under NH RSAs 72:61-72 are photovoltaics, solar space heating, solar water heating, and passive solar. Further information is available at: nh.gov

Example: 645 kWh/Month System – Home Installation Cost

Manchester, in the county of Hillsboro, is New Hampshire’s largest city with over 125,000 business establishments, approximately 110,000 people, and more than 583,000 housing units. The average residential electric utility bill in Hillsboro County is $87/month, just slightly under the national average. The area is rated “Good” for relative suitability of solar power.

Alas, only about one-third of New Hampshire’s municipalities offer property tax incentives for home-owners who install solar power or other renewable energy sources, and the city of Manchester is not one of them. Other state or municipal solar power incentives are equally lacking, leaving only federal tax credits as incentives to home-owners. Installation costs vary, but a mid-range system cost of $31,500 (net $29,500 after applying a $2,000 federal tax credit) was assumed in this example to achieve a 50% reliance on solar power. It should be noted that a roof area of 300 square feet is required.

  • Estimated monthly system cost of $29,500 amortized at 6.5% over 30 years: $186/month
  • Average utility savings: $61/month*
  • 25-year utility savings: $18,169*
  • Increase in property value: $8,660

*Utility savings assume a 3.78% annual utility inflation rate.

Consensus

To an observer, New Hampshire appears to be fairly progressive in its approach to reducing energy consumption, but is doing little to encourage the residential use of renewable energy sources. Is the state missing an important opportunity here?

Click here to have multiple solar installers bid to upgrade your New Hampshire home or business.

No comments yet, be the first!

Dave Identicon Icon Dave
Comment on January 8th, 2008.

Hello. We have a one year old house that has radiant heat, and we use propane for heating, hot water, cooking, etc. (everything except for our electric dryer). Our electric bill is around $120/month, and we use about 1000-1100 gallons of propane a year.

First of all, even though we have radiant heat, and we use propane to heat the hot water, is there any sort of a solar setup that could help us reduce the amount of propane that we use? Is there a separate heating unit that could work in conjunction with our radiant heating system to help us cut back on propane use? Is our electric bill expensive enough where the savings with solar power would be justified in a reasonable amount of time? Could solar power help us cut back on electric and propane costs?

Thank you very much in advance for any information you can provide.

Amy Identicon Icon Amy
Comment on June 4th, 2008.

Hi
I live in a small town in NH and since we do not have a state wide policy on renewable energy I am trying to have the town adopt one. I have writen up a petition and have received the required amount of signatures for the statutes to be placed on the agenda for the next town meeting. Where do I go from here? Is there a protocol to follow when adopting these statutes? Any information would be tremendously helpful.
Thank you.

BEL Identicon Icon BEL
Comment on June 23rd, 2008.

I am in the processs of building a home in New Hampshire and I was wondering about solar to help in the heating. We are putting in radiant heating along with forced hot water.
Any advise?

Comment on July 15th, 2008.

Hello
I own a campground in New Hampshire and I’m looking for info to have solar installed on the campers roof tops.Do you know where I can get the product ?

Dan Identicon Icon Dan
Comment on July 29th, 2008.

Check out GEpower.com they have some great systems.

Christine Identicon Icon Christine
Comment on August 29th, 2008.

Adding an addition to my home: “Happy-sunny Room” with solar on top for heat ? and hot water. Please contact with me information!

Dave Identicon Icon Dave
Comment on September 8th, 2008.

I live in a medium sized house and pay $200/mo for electric. Where can I get the $87/mo price above?

Comment on September 14th, 2008.

GREAT NEWS! NH Has passed a $6,000.00 Rebate for Solar Energy good till 2011. Please go to http://www.photovoltus.com SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLERS, SALES AND TECHS FOR All of New England to learn more on how to get solar energy for your business or home TODAY!

Comment on September 29th, 2008.

I have done a lot of study on solar. Solar hot air and hot water are your quickest return for your investment. I would be happy to talk to anyone who is interested.

Thanks,
Carl
SkyConnect Solar

NH and Maine

Scsolar.biz

Bob Perry Identicon Icon Bob Perry
Comment on April 30th, 2009.

I’m interested in receiving information about becoming involved in the solar industry. I think solar energy under rated, but will soon take off like the PC, internet and cell phones.

Tom Identicon Icon Tom
Comment on June 3rd, 2009.

I am looking for a career change and believe that solar power is definitely the future. What is my best course of action at this point. I have two college degrees and am very “good with my hands”. I built a structurally insulated panel home and heat with pellets. I want to be part of the revelution.

Roland Identicon Icon Roland
Comment on June 24th, 2009.

Northern New Hampshire may not be the best place to install solar collecting panels, however, has the technology improves I believe solar panels in conjunction with wind power will become a via able alternative.

Comment on July 16th, 2009.

It is about time we begin to realize the environmental and economical benefits of alternative energy. Even just as important is increased energy efficiency. If you are considering a Solar Power, Solar Thermal(water heating for various uses), Wind Power, Geothermal etc… one should request an energy audit from their local utility. They will recommend low cost excellent conservation and energy efficiency improvements for your structure. Once you have had an energy audit and understand your consumption contact SunWindLLc.com for a site evaluation and proposal for an alternative energy system. The current administration has increased tax credits and combined with state and utility incentives there is no better time to hop on board the green train!!!

ute Identicon Icon ute
Comment on July 22nd, 2009.

i would like more information about solar energy for our home,right now we heat with natural gas and elctric,

Comment on July 26th, 2009.

Ute contact our office in Grantham at 603-863-1974 and they can go over the benefits of a Solar system. Ask for Andy

Bill Identicon Icon Bill
Comment on July 29th, 2009.

It just seems that we have come so far in our fight to conserve energy but systems are still really expensive and there is really no DIY alternatives.

Comment on August 17th, 2009.

Bill they are not that expensive any more, prices have dropped alot in the last year. Plus with some of the options out there any more you can even get a solar system on your roof without any investment while saving upto 20% a month.

Comment on October 28th, 2009.

While cost is certaily not the only reason to go solar, end costs have plummeted within the last year due to falling module prices and state and federal rebates. For small 2KW – 2.5KW systems that means only about $2/W ($4000-$5000 total installed net cost). There are also 2 state non-profit groups SEAREI and PAREI that do community barn-raiser style “Energy Raisers” for both PV and solar hot water which reduces the labor component by allowing you to “pay it forward”. So, cost is really no longer a valid argument. When you also include the increased value to your house (a minimum of $15,000 for every $1,000 you reduce your annual energy costs) plus 25+ years of energy production, your real return is almost 4 times what you paid for the system. Unthink Solar.

John McCracken Identicon Icon John McCracken
Comment on November 16th, 2009.

I have recently completed a course in Photo-Voltaic installation and am trying to break into the field. I would like to learn more from “on the job” experience. The more we can promote renewable energy the more systems we can get up and running.

Comment on November 20th, 2009.

If you want experience, you really should consider joining SEAREI (see SEAREI.org or check the Facebook group) SEAREI is a non-profit that does “Energy Raisers”, like an old fashioned “barn raiser” for both Solar Hot Water and PV. We have one of each going in before the end of the year. People get together and are part of teams working under the direction of local tradesmen (like Glover Plumbing Miner Electric, Harmony Energy Works). It is a great time, a good thing, and you get lots of hand-on – and meet great people. We will also be holding training classes this winter, if you want to up your training.

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