State solar profile · #15 of 51
Solar in New Hampshire: cost, payback & incentives
What a typical home should expect from solar in New Hampshire - sunshine, electricity rates, modeled payback, and the 2 incentive programs that change the math, built from NREL, EIA, and DSIRE data.
- 4.2
- kWh/m²/day irradiance
- 25.5¢
- avg electricity rate
- 9.8 yr
- payback (#7)
- 2
- incentive programs
The verdict
New Hampshire scores 34/100 for solar - #15 of 51 - with a modeled 9.8-year payback and roughly $28,600 net over 25 years on a typical 6 kW system before any incentives.
- 34/100
- solar score (#15)
- 9.8 yr
- modeled payback (#7)
- $1,876
- modeled annual savings
- full
- net-metering policy
All figures are modeled from public NREL/EIA/DSIRE data for a typical 6 kW system; your result depends on roof, shading, utility tariff, and installer pricing.
New Hampshire at a glance
4.2
irradiance (kWh/m²/day)
25.5¢
electricity rate (per kWh)
$18,300
6 kW system cost
9.8 yr
est. payback (#7)
7,358
kWh/year (6 kW)
$1,876
annual savings
25-year ROI for a 6 kW system
$18,300
system cost
$1,876/yr
modeled savings
9.8 yr
break-even
+$28,600
25-year net
Estimates from state averages; actual results vary by system size, roof orientation, shading, utility rate, and installer pricing. Run a personalized estimate →
Where New Hampshire sits nationally
Every state by sunshine (left-to-right) and payback speed (faster toward the bottom). New Hampshire is highlighted, its position shows whether sun or electricity rates drive its return.
New Hampshire (highlighted): 4.2 kWh/m²/day, 9.8-yr modeled payback - faster than the national average.
What the data says about solar in New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks #15 of 51 with a composite solar score of 34/100 (Limited). The score blends inputs from NREL and EIA: average irradiance of 4.2 kWh/m²/day, residential electricity at 25.5¢/kWh, a turnkey 6 kW installed cost of $18,300 ($3.05/W), and 2 tracked state and utility incentive programs.
On those inputs, a 6 kW array here is modeled to generate roughly 7,358 kWh/year and offset about $1,876 in annual utility spending at the state's average rate, an estimated 9.8-year simple payback (#7 of 51 for speed to break-even) and a projected +$28,600 net position over a 25-year horizon before utility-rate escalation.
Policy matters as much as physics. New Hampshire's net-metering framework is classified as full, which governs how exported generation is credited, and its renewable portfolio standard is: Mandatory (25.2% by 2025). The 2 active programs tracked in DSIRE include net metering and rebate types, each can stack to compress payback. Notable programs include NH RGGI Solar Incentive. Note that the 30% federal residential solar tax credit (§25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so state and utility incentives now carry more of the economics, confirm current federal rules with the IRS and your tax advisor.
Solar & grid details
- Net-metering policy
- full
- Renewable portfolio standard
- Mandatory (25.2% by 2025)
- Installed cost / watt
- $3.05/W
- Annual production (6 kW)
- 7,358 kWh
- Installed capacity (EIA 2024)
- 2 MW
- Notable programs
- NH RGGI Solar Incentive
Top incentive programs
2 programs available for New Hampshire residents
All New Hampshire solar incentives (2)
Your next step
How to act on New Hampshire's numbers.
- Run the savings calculator with your real electricity bill, the figures above use state averages, not your usage. Calculate for New Hampshire
- Check net-metering and SREC value before signing, in a "full" state, export compensation often decides the return. Net-metering guide
- Stack New Hampshire's 2 incentive programs, each lowers net cost or raises annual return. See all programs
Modeled estimates from public data, not financial advice; a binding figure requires a site-specific assessment from a licensed installer.
Solar resource from NREL; electricity rates and installed capacity from the U.S. EIA; incentive programs from DSIRE. See our methodology.