Solar power in New Hampshire provides a small percentage of the state's electricity. State renewable requirements and declining prices have led to some installations.Photovoltaics on rooftops can provide 53.4% of all electricity used inNew Hampshire, from 5,300 MW of solar panels, and 72% of the electricity used in Concord, New Hampshire.[2] A 2016 estimate suggests that a typical 5 kW system costing $25,000 before credits and utility savings will pay for itself in 9 years, and generate a profit of $34,196 over the rest of its 25-year life. A loan or lease provides a net savings each year, including the first year.[3] New Hampshire has a rebate program which pays $0.75/W for residential systems up to 5 kW, for up to 50% of the system cost, up to $3,750.[4] However, New Hampshire's solar installation lagged behind nearby states such asVermont andNew York, which in 2013 had 10 times and 25 times more solar, respectively.
Net metering is available for up to 1 MW generation, but is capped at 50 MW. Excess generation is perpetually rolled over each month, and customers can elect to be paid at avoided cost once a year.[5] The organization Freeing the Grid gave the state a B for net metering and a D for interconnection.[6] The staterenewable portfolio standard calls for 25% of electricity fromrenewable energy in 2025, including 0.3% from solar.[7] Noncompliance fees are used to fund renewable energy, and resulted in payments of $1.3 million in 2009[8] and $2.6 million in 2010.[9] A 2014 review by the state found the "business-as-usual" model predicted that the state's 2025 goals would not be met.[10]
In 2005, New Hampshire's largest solar array was the 50 kW installation on the roof of theStonyfield Farm yogurt factory.[11] It remained the largest in the state untilPSNH installed a 51 kW array on their roof in 2009.[12] In 2012, New Hampshire's largest solar array was the 525 kW facility on the top level of theManchester Airport parking garage.[13] It was removed because of glare, and reinstalled with the panels facing East instead of South. Additional panels were installed to maintain the same output.[14]In 2022, Manchester became home to the state's largest municipal solar array, which will generate 3.8 million kilowatt-hours. The facility is located on top of a land-fill[15]
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29,325 | 36,690 | 55,281 | 68,395 | 71,776 | 86,272 | 83,328 | 74,757 | 505,824 | ||||
| Total | 505,824 | ||||||||||||
In 2015, the largest solar farm in the state was at thePeterboroughwastewater treatment plant, a 942 kW installation with 3,100 solar panels on 5 acres (2.0 ha).[17][18]
In a pilot program, a solar panel was installed on a few utility poles, four inNashua and four inBerlin.[19]
New Hampshire's average electricity price of 18.98¢/kWh is the fifth highest in the country.[20]
|
| Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Capacity | Installed | % Change |
| 2007 | 0.1 | ||
| 2008 | 0.1 | ||
| 2009 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 600% |
| 2010 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 186% |
| 2011 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 55% |
| 2012 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 74% |
| 2013 | 9.6 | 4.1 | 75% |
| 2014 | 7 | 3 | 75% |
| 2015 | 22 | 15 | 214% |
| 2016 | 54 | 32 | 145% |
| 2017 | 76 | 22 | 41% |
| 2018 | 90 | 14 | 18% |
| 2019 | 113 | 23 | 25% |
| 2020 | 132.9 | 19.9 | 17% |
| 2021 | 164.8 | 31.9 | % |
| 2022 | 201 | 36.2 | % |
