2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Auburn, NH - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Auburn.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Auburn solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Auburn?

Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy and Electrical Energy Storage

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies (local option)

Residential Small Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
$0.20/watt

Eversource - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Lighting: Online discounts & coupons at participating retailers
LED Light Fixture: $5
Heating/Cooling Equipment: Up to $400
Heat Pump Water Heaters: Up to $600
Clothes Dryers: up to $200
Clothes Washer: Up to $50
Dehumidifier: $25
ENERGY STAR Homes: $4,000
Natural Gas Heating Equipment: Up to $1,500
Natural Gas thermostats: Up to $100
Pool Pumps: Up to $500
Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $30
Refrigerators: Up to $75
Room Air Conditioner: $20
Room Air Purifiers: $40

Residential Solar Water Heating Rebates

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
$1,500, $1,700 or $1,900, depending on annual estimated system output

Residential Bulk-Fed Wood-Pellet Central Boilers and Furnace Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are designed to mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. These financial incentives are intended to encourage more Americans to switch to renewable energy. Various kinds of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the New Hampshire government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your Auburn utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which would allow you to exclude the value of your solar system when paying taxes on your house. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates may be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you purchase solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.

Federal Solar Incentives

When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own and that is located in the United States. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.

Your local Auburn solar panel installer can give you more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032. At this point, the percentage will decrease slightly each year until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems under this new program.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Auburn solar panel company can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. Solar incentives may be given by your county or municipality, or by the New Hampshire government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Auburn

There are many types of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the New Hampshire government and those given by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. Talking to your local Auburn solar panel installation expert is an excellent first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Auburn, NH Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

Broadly, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar panel system
  2. installed on a property that you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. within the date range specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those given out by the New Hampshire government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Auburn solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project will qualify for.

My home already has solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any incentives?

If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Talking to the company that installed your solar system, or any local Auburn solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Auburn home?

Once you add solar panels to your Auburn home, you can anticipate savings of about $1,112.19 per year, or about $21,131.66 over 20 years.

Who installs solar panel systems near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to the top solar companies in Auburn.

I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can get?

The new Inflation Reduction Act introduces multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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