Key numbers for a Liberty Utilities NH solar customer
- New Hampshire residential electricity averages 26.92 cents per kWh, as of March 2026 (EIA); Liberty’s all-in rate runs among the higher NH utility rates.
- A 6 kW system in Salem (03079) produces about 7,687 kWh per year, or roughly 1,281 kWh per kW installed, as of 2026 (NREL PVWatts).
- New Hampshire credits exported solar at 100% of energy plus 25% of distribution, roughly 75% to 85% of retail, as of July 2026 (DSIRE New Hampshire).
- A system interconnected under NEM 2.0 keeps that net-metering design through December 31, 2040 (NH PUC Docket DE 16-576).
- The New Hampshire state solar rebate was repealed by Senate Bill 303 (2024), effective June 2024, so it is not available for new projects (NH Department of Energy).
Liberty Utilities is the smallest of New Hampshire’s three investor-owned electric utilities, and the one that trips people up, because it does not serve one solid region. This page covers who Liberty serves, exactly how New Hampshire net metering credits the power your roof sends back on a Liberty account, what a system is worth at Liberty’s rates, and the New Hampshire incentives that still exist in 2026 versus the ones that have closed. Then you can check your own address in about a minute.
Who Liberty Utilities serves in New Hampshire
Liberty Utilities, the former Granite State Electric, serves scattered pockets of New Hampshire rather than one connected territory. Its electric customers are concentrated in two very different parts of the state: the southern border area around Salem, where Liberty runs its New Hampshire operations out of 9 Lowell Road in Salem, and a group of towns around Keene and the Connecticut River valley to the west (Liberty Utilities New Hampshire, as of July 2026). If you are unsure whether your address is Liberty, Eversource, Unitil, or the New Hampshire Electric Co-op, the name on your electric bill is the fastest way to tell, since New Hampshire assigns each utility an exclusive service area with no overlap.
Why your specific utility matters for solar is the rate and the paperwork, not the rules. All three New Hampshire investor-owned utilities run the same statewide net-metering tariff, so the credit formula on a Liberty account is the same one Eversource and Unitil customers get. What changes with the utility is the electricity rate your credits are measured against and the interconnection process you file through. New Hampshire residential electricity averages 26.92 cents per kWh (EIA, as of March 2026), well above the national average, and Liberty’s all-in residential rate sits among the higher ones in the state, which is exactly what makes each kilowatt-hour your roof offsets worth more. For the statewide rules behind all of this, see our New Hampshire solar guide.
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How does Liberty Utilities net metering work in New Hampshire?
On a Liberty account, the power you export is credited in kilowatt-hours, not at full retail dollars. When your panels make more than your home is using in a billing period, Liberty measures the surplus and your account earns a credit for the power exported, measured in kWh, that carries forward to offset later months (Liberty Utilities New Hampshire net metering, as of July 2026). New Hampshire caps eligible residential systems at 100 kW, far above what any home needs, so sizing to your own usage is never a problem under the rules (RSA 362-A:9).
The catch every Liberty customer should understand is that the credit is not one-to-one. New Hampshire’s net-metering 2.0 tariff, which Liberty follows along with the state’s other utilities, credits your monthly excess at 100% of the energy charge plus 25% of the distribution charge, which works out to roughly 75% to 85% of the all-in retail rate rather than the full amount (DSIRE New Hampshire, as of July 2026; set by NH PUC Order No. 26,029, Docket DE 16-576). The power you use in your home the moment your panels make it avoids the full retail rate, so it is worth the most; the surplus you push to the grid is worth a bit less. We keep the full breakdown of that formula on our New Hampshire net-metering explainer, which shows the exact math step by step.
Note for Liberty customers specifically: only Liberty default-service customers can receive the annual payment for any leftover surplus kWh at the end of the year. If you buy your electric supply from a competitive third-party supplier rather than Liberty’s default service, you can still net meter, but you are not eligible for that annual surplus payment (Liberty Utilities New Hampshire net metering, as of July 2026). It is worth checking which supply you are on before you size a system.
| What happens to your solar power on a Liberty account | How it is valued |
|---|---|
| Power you use in your home as it is produced | Avoids the full retail rate, the most valuable kWh |
| Monthly surplus exported to the grid | Credited at 100% of energy plus 25% of distribution, about 75% to 85% of retail, rolled forward in kWh |
| Year-end leftover surplus | Annual payment, Liberty default-service customers only |
| A system connected in 2026 | Keeps this net-metering design through December 31, 2040 |
What is a Liberty Utilities solar system actually worth?
Here is the part no generic page will compute for you: the annual value of a system at Liberty’s New Hampshire rates. We start from a real PVWatts run for Salem, New Hampshire (ZIP 03079), which shows a 6 kW system producing about 7,687 kWh a year, or roughly 1,281 kWh for every kW installed (NREL PVWatts, as of 2026). We value that production at New Hampshire’s residential rate of 26.92 cents per kWh (EIA, as of March 2026), then apply New Hampshire’s net-metering haircut to the share you export. Because the power you use on-site is worth full retail and the surplus is worth about 85% of it, a realistic blended value lands near 24.4 cents per kWh. The table below is our own estimate, so treat it as a planning figure and confirm your own numbers at your address.
| System size | Estimated annual production | Value at full retail (26.92 cents/kWh) | Estimated net-metering value (blended ~24.4 cents/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | ~7,687 kWh | ~$2,070 | ~$1,880 |
| 8 kW | ~10,250 kWh | ~$2,760 | ~$2,500 |
| 10 kW | ~12,810 kWh | ~$3,450 | ~$3,130 |
Estimate by MySolarFY (July 2026). Inputs: PVWatts production for Salem NH scaled linearly by system size; EIA New Hampshire residential rate of 26.92 cents/kWh; a blended value that treats on-site use at full retail and exports at about 85% of retail, per New Hampshire’s NEM 2.0 formula. Your real result depends on your roof, shading, and how much you use during daylight. Not a guarantee.
A quick word on payback and cost. At a typical New Hampshire installed price and the annual values above, an owned system in Liberty territory usually pays for itself over roughly the second half of a 25-year-plus panel warranty, and the net-metering design being locked through 2040 gives that math a long, stable runway. Because installed prices vary by installer and roof, run your own numbers before you commit; how MySolarFY works and the CTA above are the fastest ways to get real quotes.
What incentives does New Hampshire still have in 2026, and what closed?
New Hampshire is an honest state to go solar in, but you have to know what is real in 2026. The good news is what does not exist here: New Hampshire has no general state sales tax, so there is no sales tax added to your solar equipment in the first place, and net metering plus the 2040 grandfather lock give a Liberty system a stable, predictable value. The harder news is that New Hampshire has never had a rich stack of solar incentives, and the one cash rebate it did offer is now closed.
| New Hampshire solar incentive (2026) | Status for a Liberty customer |
|---|---|
| Net metering (NEM 2.0, ~75% to 85% of retail) | Active; grandfathered through Dec 31, 2040 (DSIRE NH) |
| State residential solar rebate | Repealed by Senate Bill 303 (2024), not available for new projects (NH Dept of Energy) |
| Local property-tax exemption for solar | Available only if your town has adopted it under RSA 72:62; check your town (DSIRE NH) |
| State sales-tax exemption on equipment | Not needed; New Hampshire has no general sales tax |
| State income-tax credit for solar | Does not exist; New Hampshire has no broad-based income tax |
| Federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) | Ended for systems placed in service after Dec 31, 2025 (IRS) |
The rebate closure is the change most homeowners have not caught up with. New Hampshire’s residential renewable-electrical-generation rebate was repealed by Senate Bill 303 (2024), effective June 2024, which struck the incentive paragraphs from RSA 362-F:10, so as of 2026 there is no state cash rebate to capture on a new home solar project (NH Department of Energy Renewable Energy Rebates, as of July 2026). The program is permanently closed to new projects, and for a homeowner planning a 2026 install that means the same thing: do not budget around it. One thing worth chasing is the local property-tax exemption, since many New Hampshire towns have adopted the optional exemption under RSA 72:62 that keeps solar from raising your assessed value; whether it applies is a town-by-town question, so ask your town office (DSIRE New Hampshire, as of July 2026).
What happened to the federal solar tax credit for New Hampshire homeowners?
The 30% federal homeowner credit is gone, and New Hampshire has no state credit to replace it. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, so a Liberty customer who buys solar with cash or a loan in 2026 cannot claim it (IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit; SEIA, as of 2026). You will still see installer pages and search results implying the 30% credit is available; for 2026 the accurate answer is that the homeowner version already ended. What that leaves in New Hampshire is net metering, the long grandfather lock, and the high local rate your production offsets, which is the core of the payback case here. For the full timeline, see what the federal solar tax credit change means in 2026.
One federal exception exists, and it is not the homeowner’s to claim. A separate commercial credit, Section 48E, is claimed by the business that owns a leased or power-purchase-agreement (PPA) system, not by the resident living under the panels (IRS Clean Electricity Investment Credit, as of 2026). On a lease or PPA you do not file for a federal credit yourself; the company that owns the system does. The 25D homeowner credit, by contrast, ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. MySolarFY does not provide tax advice, so confirm your own situation with a tax professional.
How do you connect solar to Liberty Utilities?
Liberty runs a standard New Hampshire interconnection, with fees set by system size. You (or your installer) file a net-metering application with Liberty, and the interconnection application fees, effective January 1, 2025, are $200 for a system up to 25 kW, $500 for a system over 25 kW up to 100 kW, and $1,000 above that (Liberty Utilities New Hampshire net metering, as of July 2026). Almost every home falls in the first, lowest tier. After Liberty approves and your system passes inspection, a net meter is typically installed within about 10 days of your completed documents, and you should keep the system off until you receive your Authority to Interconnect letter and the net meter is in.
A good installer handles this paperwork for you. The application, the interconnection forms, and the timing with Liberty are routine for an installer who works in New Hampshire, and it is fair to expect them to manage the whole process, from the net-metering application to Permission to Operate, as part of the job.
How do you choose a solar installer in Liberty territory?
Liberty’s New Hampshire footprint is served by both local New Hampshire installers and regional companies, which is good for you because it means real competition on price and service. Rather than chasing a “best installer” list, screen any company against objective criteria:
- NABCEP certification, the industry’s professional standard for PV installers.
- A valid New Hampshire electrical license and proper business registration.
- A clear workmanship and equipment warranty in writing.
- Real experience with Liberty Utilities interconnection and New Hampshire net metering, so the application and Permission to Operate go smoothly.
- A written production estimate and a transparent quote that reflects New Hampshire’s actual net-metering value, not an assumption that exports pay full retail. For a checklist, see how MySolarFY works and our data and methodology.
MySolarFY matches you with licensed installers that serve your Liberty Utilities area so you can compare real local quotes side by side, with no obligation. You can also compare against the other New Hampshire utilities on our Eversource New Hampshire solar page and Unitil New Hampshire solar page.
Frequently asked questions
How does net metering work with Liberty Utilities in New Hampshire? When your panels make more than your home uses in a billing period, Liberty credits the surplus you export in kilowatt-hours, and that credit rolls forward to offset later months (Liberty Utilities, as of July 2026). The credit is not one-to-one: New Hampshire’s NEM 2.0 tariff values exports at 100% of the energy charge plus 25% of the distribution charge, roughly 75% to 85% of full retail (DSIRE NH). The power you use on-site as it is produced is worth full retail, so a system sized to your own usage captures the most value.
Is Liberty Utilities net metering 1 to 1? No. Many homeowners assume New Hampshire pays full retail for exported solar, but it does not. Liberty follows the same statewide NEM 2.0 tariff as Eversource and Unitil, which credits your monthly surplus at 100% of the energy component plus 25% of the distribution component, about three-quarters to 85% of the all-in retail rate (DSIRE NH, as of July 2026). Our New Hampshire net-metering explainer walks through the exact formula.
How much is a solar system worth on a Liberty account? By our estimate (MySolarFY, July 2026), a typical 8 kW system in Liberty’s territory produces about 10,250 kWh a year and is worth roughly $2,500 annually once New Hampshire’s net-metering formula is applied, based on a real PVWatts run for Salem and the state’s 26.92 cents per kWh residential rate (NREL PVWatts; EIA). A 6 kW system runs closer to $1,880 a year and a 10 kW system near $3,130. These are planning estimates; your roof, shading, and daytime usage move the real figure, so check your own address.
Does New Hampshire still have a solar rebate in 2026? No. New Hampshire’s residential solar rebate was repealed by Senate Bill 303 (2024), effective June 2024, so there is no state cash rebate to claim on a new home system in 2026 (NH Department of Energy, as of July 2026). The program is permanently closed to new projects. New Hampshire also has no general sales tax on the equipment and no state income-tax credit, so net metering is the main ongoing benefit, alongside a local property-tax exemption if your town has adopted one.
What happened to the federal solar tax credit? The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, so a Liberty customer who buys solar in 2026 with cash or a loan cannot claim it (IRS, as of 2026). A separate commercial credit, Section 48E, can apply to leased and PPA systems, but the business that owns the system claims it, not the homeowner. New Hampshire net metering and the grandfather lock were not affected. MySolarFY does not provide tax advice; confirm your situation with a tax professional.
How long is my Liberty net-metering rate locked in? A system interconnected under the current NEM 2.0 tariff keeps its net-metering design through December 31, 2040, after which it moves to whatever program exists on January 1, 2041 (NH PUC Docket DE 16-576, as of July 2026). Two things to keep in mind: the lock protects the net-metering structure, not the underlying electricity rates, which still change in normal rate cases, and grandfathered status can be lost if you later expand the system beyond its original limits.
Can I get solar with no up-front cost on a Liberty account? Some homeowners can, through a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) where eligible, which can mean no out-of-pocket cost at installation in exchange for monthly payments. This is not free solar; it is a long-term agreement, typically 20 to 25 years, and total payments may exceed the cost of a cash purchase. On a lease or PPA the third-party owner, not you, holds the system and any commercial tax credit, while your benefit is a lower or fixed power price. If you want to own the system and keep the full net-metering value yourself, a cash purchase or solar loan is the path that does it. Check what you qualify for before deciding.
Reviewed by the MySolarFY Editor team. Figures were verified against the linked New Hampshire (NH Department of Energy, NH PUC), DSIRE, EIA, NREL, IRS, and Liberty Utilities sources as of July 2026; net-metering values, the 2040 grandfather terms, Liberty rates, and interconnection fees can change, so confirm current terms with Liberty Utilities and the New Hampshire Department of Energy before you decide. MySolarFY does not provide tax or financial advice; consult a licensed professional about your own situation. Learn more about how MySolarFY works and our data and methodology.
MySolarFY is a free service that matches homeowners with licensed solar installers. We are not an installer, financing company, tax advisor, or government program. “No up-front cost” refers to qualifying lease or PPA financing, where eligible homeowners may have no out-of-pocket cost at installation. Lease and PPA terms typically run 20 to 25 years, may include an annual price escalator, and total payments may exceed the cost of a cash purchase; on a lease or PPA the tax benefits go to the company that owns the system, not the homeowner. Homeowners do not get the federal residential credit (Section 25D), which ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Solar panels are not free and monthly payments apply. Eligibility, savings, incentives, and rates vary and are not guaranteed. See our full disclaimer.
