Do I pay property tax on my solar panels in New Hampshire?

Often not — many towns have adopted a solar property-tax exemption (RSA 72:61–72). Check whether yours has, and file form PA-29 with your assessor if so.

Solar Panels in New Hampshire (2026 Guide)

Q: Does New Hampshire have a solar rebate or tax credit?

No. The state rebate was permanently closed in 2024 (SB 303), and New Hampshire has no income tax, so no state tax credit. The federal credit also expired December 31, 2025. But there is no sales tax, and many towns exempt solar from property tax.

Q: Does New Hampshire have net metering?

Yes — Net Metering 2.0, with exports credited at roughly 80 to 85% of retail, locked in for systems through 2041.

Q: Why is solar still worth it in New Hampshire?

High electricity rates (about 26 cents per kWh), no sales tax, long-term net metering, and optional property-tax exemptions keep payback reasonable even without the credits.

New Hampshire has expensive electricity, no sales tax, and net metering locked in for years — all good for solar. But two things changed: the federal credit expired, and the state's solar rebate was permanently closed in 2024. Here's the honest picture of what's left in 2026 and how the payback really looks.

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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire installs run around $3.00 per watt before incentives (roughly a $2.75–$3.50 range across installers). For a typical home system:

5 kW system: ~$15,000 (range ~$13,750–$17,500)
10 kW system: ~$30,000 (range ~$27,500–$35,000)

Your real number depends on your roof, equipment, and installer. See our 2026 solar cost breakdown.

New Hampshire Solar Incentives in 2026

No federal tax credit in 2026

The 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not available in 2026. See our 2026 tax credit guide.

The state solar rebate is closed

New Hampshire's residential solar rebate (the Renewable Energy Fund rebate) was permanently closed in 2024 under Senate Bill 303. Only applications filed before it closed are still being processed. For 2026, there is no state rebate for new residential solar — we mention it because many older guides still list it.

No sales tax

New Hampshire has no state sales tax, so there's no tax on your solar equipment — a quiet but real advantage versus most states.

Optional municipal property-tax exemption

Many New Hampshire towns (around 150) have voted to exempt solar from property-tax assessment under state law (RSA 72:61–72). It's not automatic statewide — your town has to have adopted it, and amounts vary. If your town offers it, you file a short form (PA-29) with your local assessor, usually by April 15.

Low-income / community programs

New Hampshire has federally funded low-income solar efforts and an LMI grant program, but these are aimed mostly at community-scale and manufactured-home projects, not individual rooftop rebates — and their 2026 enrollment status isn't confirmed. If you may qualify, check directly with the NH Community Loan Fund or NH Housing before counting on it.

Net Metering in New Hampshire

New Hampshire uses Net Metering 2.0, and the credit for exported power is not quite full retail. Exports are credited at the full energy and transmission charges but only 25% of the distribution charge — which works out to roughly 80–85% of the retail rate in practice. The good news: this structure is locked in for systems through 2041, so you know what you're getting for the long haul. As always, power you use on-site offsets the full retail rate, so sizing the system to your usage maximizes value.

Major New Hampshire Utilities

Most of the state is served by Eversource, with Unitil, the New Hampshire Electric Co-op (NHEC), and Liberty Utilities covering the rest. New Hampshire's residential rates run around 26¢ per kWh — roughly 29% above the national average. Those high rates are the main engine of solar savings here.

Is Solar Worth It in New Hampshire in 2026?

Solar can still pay off in New Hampshire, but we'll be straight: with both the federal credit and the state rebate now gone, payback periods are longer than they were a year or two ago. What still supports the case: high electricity rates (~26¢), no sales tax, net metering guaranteed through 2041, and an optional property-tax exemption in many towns. It works best for higher-usage homes in expensive Eversource or Unitil territory, for buyers who can pay cash or get low-rate financing, and when the system is sized for self-consumption. A custom quote for your utility and roof shows your real payback.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do solar panels cost in New Hampshire in 2026?
Around $3.00 per watt before incentives — roughly $15,000 for 5 kW and $30,000 for 10 kW, depending on installer.

Does New Hampshire have a solar rebate or tax credit?
No. The rebate was permanently closed in 2024 (SB 303), and there's no income tax. The federal credit also expired December 31, 2025. But there's no sales tax, and many towns exempt solar from property tax.

Does New Hampshire have net metering?
Yes — Net Metering 2.0, with exports at roughly 80–85% of retail, locked in for systems through 2041.

Why is solar still worth it in New Hampshire?
High rates (~26¢/kWh), no sales tax, long-term net metering, and optional property-tax exemptions keep payback reasonable.

Do I pay property tax on my solar panels?
Often not — many towns adopted a solar exemption (RSA 72:61–72). Check yours and file form PA-29 with your assessor.

Sources

Rebate closure (SB 303): NH Department of Energy. Property-tax exemption: NH RSA 72:62. Net metering: EnergySage. Costs & rates: SolarReviews, ElectricChoice. Federal credit expiration: IRS OBBB guidance.