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

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

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 Hopkinton solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 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 Hopkinton?

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 help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. These financial incentives are designed to encourage more homeowners to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. You may qualify for different kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the New Hampshire government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Net Metering: Make sure you talk with your Hopkinton utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to get a credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
  • Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. The value of a rebate will usually come off your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
  • 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 are likely the first thing that comes to mind. You might have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.

The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, accessories and labor — although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Contacting your local Hopkinton solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC could apply to you.

In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, talk to your local Hopkinton solar installation company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Like with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. They may be given by the New Hampshire government, or by your county or municipality.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hopkinton

The large number of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from the New Hampshire government, the federal government or your local utility company. Call your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Hopkinton home.

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 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

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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

EcoWatch's Hopkinton, NH Solar Incentives FAQs

If I installed solar panels on my house a few years ago, can I still claim incentives?

Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your solar system — or reach out to a local Hopkinton solar installer — to better understand which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Hopkinton home?

On average, homeowners in Hopkinton who install solar panels save about $952.53 per year, or about $18,098.07 over 20 years after they make the switch.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly called the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

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

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

Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order your incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.

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.

Follow us