NEW HAMPSHIRE SOLAR INCENTIVES

Solar Incentives in the Granite State

Commercial Solar in the Granite State, a perfect match. New Hampshire offers some of the best solar incentives in the country. The state has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires utilities to source 25.4% of their power from renewable sources by 2025, and a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) that provides additional financial incentives for solar development. As a result, New Hampshire is an attractive market for commercial solar development.

In addition, New Hampshire offers a net metering program that allows businesses to receive full credit for the electricity they generate from their solar panels. With these programs in place, New Hampshire is poised to become a leader in solar energy development.

If you’re in New Hampshire and are considering solar, you’ve got a lot working in your favor!

 

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

New Hampshire has a renewable portfolio standard that requires utilities to derive 19.7% of their energy from renewable sources, and 0.60% of that must come from solar energy systems.

In order to meet these goals, utilities must obtain SRECs, which represent the environmental benefits of producing 1 megawatt-hour of electricity from solar. Because of the solar energy target, New Hampshire has created a market for SRECs, in which one SREC can be sold for a maximum price of $57.15.

Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Grants

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) offers grant funding for renewable energy projects installed at commercial, industrial, public, non-profit, municipal or school facilities, or multi-family residences with at least three units. The minimum award is $150,000, and the maximum award is $1 million.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

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

New Hampshire allows cities and towns to offer an exemption from local property taxes for the assessed value of a solar energy system.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Commercial & Industrial Solar Rebate Program

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission initiated a new solar rebate program for non-residential applicants in November 2010. Funded by alternative compliance payments under the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), this program supports solar photovoltaic (PV). Applicants must complete a “Level II” energy audit. Only qualifying systems installed on or after November 1, 2010, are eligible. New PV systems less than or equal to 500 kW AC: $0.20/W.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Enterprise Energy Fund Loans

The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) offer the Enterprise Energy Fund. The purpose of the fund is to help business owners and non-profit organizations in the state make energy improvements for their buildings. Loan amounts range from $50,000 to $500,000. Loan terms vary by type of entity. Interest rates for non-profits range from 2% to 2.5%, and loans are provided to these entities in customized 3, 5, 7, and 10-year financing packages. Terms for for-profit businesses are as follows:

3 years – 2.75%

5 years – 3.25%

7 years – 3.50%

10 years – 4.00%

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Local Option – Energy Efficiency & Clean Energy Districts

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing typically allows property owners to borrow money from a local government to pay for energy improvements. The amount borrowed is typically repaid via a special assessment on the property over a period of years. Owners of private property (zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, or “other” uses, excluding residential property containing less than five units) may opt in to an energy financing district after such a district has been created and may obtain funding for a broad array of energy efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy investments that are permanently affixed on or off the property.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA) is a global energy solutions company. We supply customers in the US and Europe with electricity, including electricity generated from renewable resources and with natural gas. Through Genie Solar Energy and Prism Solar, we design, construct and install commercial solar energy solutions. We provide commercial and industrial clients with energy brokerage and consultative services through our Diversegy brand.

Case Studies

  • Commercial Solar Case Study Property Management Company
    Wiley Property Management Case Study

    The installation of the solar array on the roof of storage facility is leveraging a limited regulation called “Group Hosting”. Group hosting is a method where a group of businesses or individuals share the installation and use of a larger solar array on a single property.

  • Bake Crafters Commercial Solar Case Study
    Bake Crafters Food Company

    Bake Crafters’ commercial solar array is a remarkable example of sustainability in action. With an output capacity of 800 kW and predictions of offsetting 770 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

  • Integra Commercial Solar Case Study
    Integra Biosciences

    Integra Biosciences’ Commercial Solar project achieves 22% IRR and aligns with the company’s global sustainability goals and commitments. The two installations total 572-kW and generate enough power to offset 844,000 kWh.

  • Commercial Solar Case Study - Kraft Power
    Commercial Solar Case Study – Kraft Power Power

    Kraft Power utilized American made solar panels to install a 57.5 kW system on their roof. The new rooftop solar system, will help Kraft Power offset 100% of the electricity usage every year.

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Testimonials

Convinced to go solar by the New Jersey incentives, PCS Wireless looked at several solar companies to provide the best overall value. Genie Solar was able to design a unique system to offset the largest portion of their electricity usage. Additionally, we combine it with an exclusive financial product which minimized the cash out of pocket and maximized the return on investment. The 494 kW system was constructed in minimal time, with no impact on the businesses operations.
PCS Wireless
A provider of engine-generator systems, Kraft Power was a pioneer of “Total Energy” (Combined Heat and Power). After seeing the financial and green benefits of solar at their headquarters in Massachusetts, Kraft wanted to capitalize on the lucrative state incentives in New Jersey at a distribution center. By installing a 57.5 kW system on the roof they were able to offset 100% of their electricity usage, take advantage of the Investment Tax Credit, accelerated depreciation, and collect revenue from the New Jersey SREC program. Genie Solar made it a smooth process and limited the need for internal resources to manage the project.
Kraft Power
A premier provider of water treatment in the New York and New Jersey area, Tower wanted to go solar to save money and generate clean energy. Upon reviewing the financial benefits available in New Jersey with the SREC program and the federal Investment Tax Credit, they wanted to safe harbor the project in 2019 and construct in 2020. Buying American Made panels was an important component of the project, and by utilizing their white roof, Genie Solar was able to leverage Prism Solar’s bifacial panels to minimize the square footage needed and maximize the electricity generated. Genie Solar helped them achieve all of their goals in an efficient manner with a 44.6 kW system.
Tower Water
Cardoza had both a showroom and a distribution center with exorbitant electricity costs in New Hampshire. As a legacy business, it was important to reduce costs and protect the business from increasing expenses prior to passing it on to the owner’s children. The show room’s roof and location made it a less than ideal location for solar; but the vast roof and direct sunlight on the distribution center could generate enough solar to power both facilities, plus the owner’s house. Leveraging New Hampshire’s group host program, Genie Solar built one 99.7 kW solar array to power all three locations. The owner is now considering converting more equipment to solar and building a second array.
Cardoza Flooring
A destination nursery in rural New Hampshire, HBTSR was a long standing customer of Genie Solar’s sister company, Diversegy. After helping the business reduce electricity expenses for the past number of years, HBTSR turned to Genie Solar to reduce their rising electricity expenses over the long run. “Between the federal and NH state incentives, I was paid $8,000 to install my solar array. On top of getting money back, I am going to realize over $300,000 in savings during the 25 year warranty period of the solar array.”
House By The Side of the Road