The average solar panel installation cost in New Hampshire is about $2.90 per watt, according to EnergySage, a solar marketplace that tracks real installer quotes. For a 10-kilowatt (kW) system, that’s roughly $29,000. A kW is 1,000 watts.
That number matters more now because the electricity it replaces keeps getting more expensive. Eversource’s residential supply rate rose from about 11 cents to about 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) on August 1, 2026, an increase of nearly 25% in a single rate change. A kWh is the energy it takes to run 1,000 watts for 1 hour.
This post covers:
- What solar panels cost in New Hampshire by system size
- What’s included in the price
- What raises or lowers your cost
- Which incentives still exist in 2026
- How the cost compares to what you already pay for electricity
What Solar Panels Cost in New Hampshire
Here’s the average solar panel system cost in New Hampshire by size, based on recent installer quotes:
| System Size | Average Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 6 kW | About $17,300 |
| 8 kW | About $23,100 |
| 10 kW | About $28,800 |
| About 13 kW (New Hampshire average) | About $37,000 |
For an average-sized system, prices range from about $31,400 to $42,500, or roughly $2.45 to $3.30 per watt. These figures are installed costs before any financing costs. Our solar financing options page explains how loans change the monthly picture.
These averages come from homeowners shopping for solar, who tend to use more electricity than the typical New Hampshire household. That’s one reason the average system size is larger than many homes need.
Your system size depends on how much electricity you use and how much usable roof or ground space you have. We size every system from your last 12 months of electric bills.
What’s Included in the Cost to Install Solar
A solar quote covers more than the solar panels themselves. Knowing the parts helps you check what each quote includes:
- Solar panels and microinverters (which convert each panel’s power into the type your home uses)
- Racking and mounting hardware
- Installation labor
- System design and engineering
- Town permitting
- The utility interconnection application
- Monitoring setup and commissioning
Labor and installation materials, more than the solar panels themselves, are typically where quotes differ the most. If a quote doesn’t list these items, ask what’s included before comparing it to others. Permitting and interconnection fees in particular are sometimes listed separately from the main price.
What Raises or Lowers Your Solar Panel Price
Roof Type and Pitch
Asphalt shingles are the most common roof type we work on. Standing seam metal roofs can be simpler to mount on because clamps attach to the seams without drilling through the roof. Steep roofs can add labor time.
Roof Age
Solar panels typically stay on a roof for 25 years or longer. If your roof has fewer than 10 years left, we generally recommend replacing it first, since removing and reinstalling solar panels later adds labor cost.
Shading
Trees are common around New Hampshire homes. Shade reduces how much electricity your solar panels produce, which can change the system size or placement we recommend.
Ground Mount or Roof Mount
Ground-mounted systems typically cost more per watt than rooftop systems because they need trenching, foundations, and their own racking. They can still be the better choice when your roof is heavily shaded or faces the wrong direction, since a ground mount can be placed and angled for full sun.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
Some older homes need an electrical panel upgrade first. This adds to the project cost. We check your panel’s capacity during the site visit, which is one step in our solar installation process, so any upgrade requirements appear in your quote from the start.
Battery Storage
A home battery storage system adds to the total cost, and we price it as a separate line in your quote. A battery isn’t required for a solar system. Without one, a solar system shuts off during a grid outage to protect utility line workers. A battery is what keeps your home running when the power goes out.
System Size
Price per watt typically drops as system size grows, because some costs, like permitting and design, stay similar regardless of size.
Solar Incentives in New Hampshire in 2026
No Sales Tax
New Hampshire has no general sales tax, so that you won’t pay state sales tax on solar equipment.
Property Tax Exemption
New Hampshire towns can choose to exempt the added value of a solar system from property taxes. To claim it, file Form PA-29 with your town by April 15. Adoption varies by town, so check with your local assessor.
Net Metering
When your solar panels produce more than your home uses, your utility credits you for the extra power sent to the grid, but not at full price. This means solar power your home uses directly is worth more than power you send to the grid. Under current rules, systems that enroll now keep this credit structure for the long term.
Solar Panel System Costs Compared to Your Electric Bill
To see how solar compares to what you already spend, we’ll add up your last 12 months of electric bills. That yearly total is what a solar system works to reduce, and with supply rates rising, it will likely keep growing.
The average solar payback period in New Hampshire is about 11 years, and the average homeowner saves roughly $70,000 over 25 years after accounting for the system’s cost. Those figures exclude the expired federal credit.
If you see a New Hampshire payback figure under 10 years for a 2026 cash or loan purchase, check whether it still includes the 30% federal credit.
When you’re comparing quotes from different installers, our guide on how to read a solar quote walks through what to check.
Get a Solar Panel Installation Quote for Your Home
Granite State Solar has installed solar across New Hampshire since 2008, and our in-house crews handle every installation. Every project starts with a free, no-pressure site visit, where a team member looks at your roof, shading, and electrical service in person.
We’ll review your last 12 months of electric bills and give you a written quote with the system size, price per watt, production estimate, and every assumption shown. You can also read reviews from New Hampshire homeowners we’ve installed solar for.
Sources
- EnergySage. “The Cost of Solar Panels in New Hampshire (2026).” Updated September 18, 2026. https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/nh/
- Eversource. “New Hampshire Electric Supply Rates.” Accessed September 2026. https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/manage-bill/about-your-bill/rates-tariffs/electric-supply-rates/nh
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Form PA-29, application for property tax exemptions. https://www.revenue.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt736/files/documents/pa-29-2025_pro.pdf
