"Renewable" here means biomass (including wood), geoexchange ("geothermal"), hydropower, solar, and wind. NH incentives do not apply to all of these energy sources, because some of the technologies were not practical or available when the legislation was enacted in the 1970s.
New Hampshire Incentives
- State incentives: The State of New Hampshire does not offer grants, loans or rebates for the purchase or installation of renewable energy systems. However other incentives exist:
- Net metering: NH Public Utilities Commission Code 900 provides for net metering
 , which permits homeowners to receive credit for on-site electricity generation, such as from a solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind turbine installation when the generation exceeds household consumption. This is accomplished by use of an electric meter that can run both forward and backward, so that the homeowner is billed only for the net reading on the meter.
- Solar skyspace easements: NH RSA 477:49-51 permit landowners to guarantee access to sunlight for an abutter's solar installation by restricting building height or vegetation that would cast a shadow on that solar installation.
- The Energy Facility Siting Process in New Hampshire for commercial-scale electricity generating projects and other large energy-related installations such as refineries. Required for all generation projects of 30 MW or greater, and optional for smaller projects. This "one-stop" process, detailed in Chapter 4 of the New Hampshire Energy Plan, may reduce project costs by shortening project timeline; and by simplifying the process of identifying and complying with all relevant permitting and regulatory requirements. For more information the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee, its history and operations, see http://nhsec.state.nh.us/.
- Local incentives:
- Renewable energy property tax exemption. NH RSAs 72:61-72 permit cities and towns to offer exemptions from local property taxes for certain renewable energy installations. These include solar thermal (for example, to heat water), solar photovoltaic (to generate electricity), wind (to generate electricity) and central wood-fired heating systems (not stoves or fireplaces).
67 cities and towns have adopted one or more renewable energy property tax exemptions as of 2007. Please consult local officials for current renewable energy tax exemption status.
If your city or town does not currently offer such exemptions, see procedures for adopting local property tax exemptions. Note: Local officials may be unaware of exemptions, as the exemptions may have been adopted as long as 30 years ago.
If you live in a city or town that offers exemptions and you have an installation that qualifies, you may apply for an exemption by completing the NH Department of Revenue Administration Form PA-29.
OEP recommends that homeowners and municipal officials consult the NH Department of Revenue Administration with any questions regarding the renewable property tax exemption laws and their application.
Federal incentives
Generally, the federal government does not provide grants, loans or rebates for the purchase or installation of renewable energy equipment. However, other significant incentives are available in the form of income tax credits:
- The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 05) offers several renewable energy and energy efficiency tax credits for items put into use on or after January 1, 2006. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of income tax due, not a reduction in taxable income; thus the money spent for qualifying measures is 100% recoverable up to the dollar amount or percentage of actual cost allowed under the law. End dates for qualifying items and measures vary. US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will post appropriate credit application forms as they are developed. A simplified summary of the incentives is also available.
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