Solar in New Hampshire: is it worth it in 2026?
New Hampshire is a good state for solar: most homes that buy a system get their money back in about a decade. Three things decide that: electricity here is among the most expensive in the country (9th of 51), it gets less sun than most states (46th of 51), and exported power earns much less than the retail rate. Of the 51 states and DC, New Hampshire has the 10th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $157 a month for 640 kWh. A 5.5 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,544 off the first year's bills, 82% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in New Hampshire
- Size the system to what you use during the day, not to your whole year: extra power sent to the grid earns about 85% of the retail rate. A battery, or running the dishwasher, laundry and EV charging while the sun is up, raises the value of every panel.
- High electricity prices do the heavy lifting. At 24.5¢ per kWh, even a modest system saves real money, but the price still matters. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 11 years.
Payback by system size
An average New Hampshire home uses about 7,680 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49% | 3 kW | $7,710 | 3,774 kWh | 9 years | $16,607 |
| 74% | 4.5 kW | $11,565 | 5,661 kWh | 9 years | $26,222 |
| 98% | 6 kW | $15,420 | 7,548 kWh | 9 years | $35,837 |
| 123% | 7.5 kW | $19,275 | 9,435 kWh | 10 years | $39,075 |
The 3 kW system pays back fastest, but the 7.5 kW system saves the most over 25 years, though only if the extra power is used at home. Assumes exported power earns about 85% of the retail rate, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How New Hampshire credits power you send to the grid
Reduced credit (net billing)
Net metering "2.0": exported power earns most, but not all, of the retail rate, depending on your utility.
We haven't found a single published export rate for New Hampshire, so the calculators assume about 85% of the retail rate. Ask your utility for its rate and enter it.
Before you sign in New Hampshire
Check the license. Look the company up with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
New Hampshire has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
New Hampshire compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 24.5¢ | 1,258 | 9 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
| Vermont | 22.8¢ | 1,222 | 10 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Maine | 27.7¢ | 1,319 | 7 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Massachusetts | 30.4¢ | 1,302 | 7 years | Full credit (net metering) |
Questions about solar in New Hampshire
How long does solar take to pay for itself in New Hampshire?
About 9 years for a typical 5.5 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does New Hampshire have net metering?
Not full net metering. Net metering "2.0": exported power earns most, but not all, of the retail rate, depending on your utility.
Is there a solar tax credit in New Hampshire in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 5.5 kW system in New Hampshire, that credit was worth about $4,241 and brought payback down to 7 years, instead of 9 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in New Hampshire?
On bill savings alone, not quite: a 13.5 kWh battery at about $15,650 would move about 3,548 kWh of solar power a year from the grid to your evenings in a typical New Hampshire home, adding about $749 of savings over 15 years. That doesn't cover its price, so the system's payback goes from 9 years to 18 years; the rest is paying for backup during outages. Time-of-use rates, battery rebates and utility payments for sharing your battery can tip it; try your numbers in the payback calculator.
Is plug-in solar legal in New Hampshire?
Yes, starting January 1, 2027, under SB 540, up to 1,200 watts. The utility may ask for notice.
How do I check a solar company's license in New Hampshire?
Look the company up with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (oplc.nh.gov) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; Solar.com: Plug-in solar, the 2026 guide; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.