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

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

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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?

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/


The phrase "solar incentives" refers to a range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You may be eligible for different kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of New Hampshire and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels might qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are typically applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Solar rebates might be given by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
  • Net Metering: Don't forget to speak to your Portsmouth utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to receive credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.

The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, labor and equipment. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

Your local Portsmouth solar panel installation expert can offer more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. At this point, the percentage will decrease slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To better understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, get in touch with your local Portsmouth solar installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. These local incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the New Hampshire government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Portsmouth

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. The use of solar energy has grown enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. Reaching out to your local Portsmouth solar panel installation expert is the best first step towards getting the most money possible 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 Portsmouth, NH Solar Incentives FAQs

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

Typically, solar incentives apply to:

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

Specific incentives, including those run by the New Hampshire government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Portsmouth solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.

If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?

You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar panels — or get in touch with a local Portsmouth solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Portsmouth annually?

Generally, homeowners in Portsmouth who install solar panels save approximately $1,037.51 per year, or approximately $19,712.76 over 20 years after they make the switch.

What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?

You can lower your carbon footprint by 200 pounds of CO2 annually when you install solar panels. This adds up to roughly 4,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.

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

The order in which incentives are applied might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but in most cases yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to make sure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for 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.

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