New Hampshire solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Solar laws in New Hampshire allow customers of investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives to join Net Metering programs. This gives solar owners an opportunity to put excess electricity into the utility grid instead of storing it in batteries. When you sell your solar power to the grid, you receive credits that can be used to offset your next bills.

There are several utilities providing Net Metering in New Hampshire – Eversource, NHEC, and Unitil. They all let you carry your earned credits over if below 600 kWh, but the credit value differs. Also, there are various interconnection fees depending on the size of your solar system. With Eversource, connection to the grid will be free, if your system is under 80 kW and will cost $500 if more. 

Any homeowner in New Hampshire whose solar system is 10 kW or less can apply for the Residential Renewable Electrical Generation Rebate Program. The program pays $0.20 per Watt of the nominal system’s capacity up to $1,000 or 30% of total facility cost, whichever is less. In order to apply for the program, you have to fill two applications: Step 1 and Step 2. Before submitting the second application it is recommended to register as a vendor of New Hampshire.

The Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption program in New Hampshire allows its residents who have invested in a solar energy system to avoid paying additional property taxes on the added value they bring to their homes. Any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report. Property owners must fill out the DRA Form PA-29 in order to claim the exemption. However, the program is not administered across the state so make sure to check here if you qualify.

A solar easement contract is a written agreement between you and another party, for example, your neighbor. This type of contract helps to ensure that your PV system will always have adequate sun exposure, protecting you from potential obstacles. It is voluntary, but cannot be canceled unless a specific clause is included in the document. Any such agreement must be created in written form and must meet the general requirements for legal contracts.

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in New Hampshire. However, there is no statewide legislation that makes it unlawful to restrict the installation of solar PV systems, so it’s best to contact your homeowner’s association (HOAs). HOAs in New Hampshire define a neighborhood’s aesthetic rules. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house. The board may ask you to hide the system from view, reduce the number of panels or just reject your proposal.

Storm activity is typical from June 1st through November 30th. Located right on the east coast, New Hampshire residents should always be prepared for a hurricane. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left approximately 200,000 customers without power across New Hampshire. Solar panels are manufactured to withstand most hurricanes, and in any power outage, solar panels will help you survive a blackout.