Home solar in New Hampshire: prices, net metering, what is left in 2026
What New Hampshire homeowners pay for solar in 2026, how the state's export rules work, and which incentives survived - verified against state sources, town by town.
Installed home solar in New Hampshire compares against the U.S. marketplace average of about $2.58 a watt - roughly $30,960 for 12 kW.
The 30% federal solar credit ended December 31, 2025 - New Hampshire installations completed in 2026 get $0 from it.
A home battery in New Hampshire runs about $12,000-$16,000 installed, before any state storage incentive.
Whether solar still pays in New Hampshire after the federal credit's end comes down to arithmetic, not ideology: installed cost (about $2.58 a watt at the marketplace average), what your utility pays for exports, and how much of your generation you use yourself. High self-consumption - daytime usage, EV charging, batteries - is now the biggest lever.
New Hampshire rules that decide your payback
| Rule | New Hampshire status |
|---|---|
| Export compensation (net metering) | Residential systems of 100 kW or less net meter under the 'alternative' NEM 2.0 tariff in effect since September 1, 2017, which credits exported generation at the full default-service (energy) rate and the full transmission rate but only 25% of the distribution rate, gives no credit at all for system benefits, stranded cost or storm recovery charges, and converts leftover net kWh into a monetary bill credit carried forward. |
| State incentive | No state-level incentive; utility rebates may apply |
| Sales tax on the system | Exempt |
| Property tax on added home value | No exclusion on record |
New Hampshire's Residential Renewable Electrical Generation Rebate Program is permanently closed - RSA 362-F:10 V-VII and IX were repealed by SB 303 (2024), and HB 2 (2025) closed all remaining Renewable Energy Fund rebate programs to new projects - so there is no state cash incentive for a 2026 homeowner install, and net metering is additionally rationed by a 100 MW statewide capacity cap allocated among utility territories.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
What installed solar costs in 2026
| System size | Installed price (marketplace avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,480 | Small roof / low usage |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | Typical starter system |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | Family home with AC |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | Large home / EV charging |
| Home battery (optional) | $12,000-$16,000 | Backup power + self-consumption |
Compare solar quotes for New Hampshire
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The 30% federal tax credit is gone for 2026 installations
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) was repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025. Per the IRS, the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025 - and the IRS counts the installation completion date, not the contract date.
Common questions
What happens if my installer goes out of business?
Panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturers and survive, but the workmanship warranty usually dies with the company. That is a real risk in the post-credit shakeout - prefer installers with years of local history, and get manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage where offered.
How much does home solar cost in 2026?
The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed - roughly $15,500 for a 6 kW system and $31,000 for 12 kW, before any state incentives. Quotes meaningfully above that level deserve a written explanation of what justifies the premium.
Do I need a battery with my solar?
Not necessarily. Under full retail net metering, the grid effectively stores your surplus for free. Batteries earn their $12,000-16,000 price where export rates are low, outages are common, or time-of-use rates make evening self-consumption valuable.
Should I lease, get a PPA, or buy?
Buying keeps all savings and any incentives with you. Leases and PPAs put a company's equipment on your roof for 20-25 years, complicate a home sale, and in 2026 any tax benefits they advertise belong to the company under commercial rules - not to you. Read escalator clauses carefully.
What is net metering and why does it decide everything?
It is the rule for how your utility credits electricity you export. Full retail net metering credits exports at the same rate you pay - the grid works like a free battery. Net billing or avoided-cost rules pay far less per exported kWh, which lengthens payback and strengthens the case for a home battery.
How do I check if a solar quote is fair?
Divide the total price by the system's wattage. The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed; $2.30-3.00 covers most fair quotes depending on roof complexity. Above that, ask exactly what you are paying extra for - in writing.
Compare solar quotes for New Hampshire
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
Prices by city
Berlin · Claremont · Concord · Dover · Franklin · Keene · Laconia · Lebanon · Manchester · Nashua · Portsmouth · Rochester · Somersworth