Financial incentive programs have been developed on the federal, state and local levels to help encourage the development of renewable energy. Below is a list of programs available to New Hampshire residents who have installed or are interested in installing a renewable energy system for their home or small business.
State | Local | Federal
State Incentives
Renewable Energy Generation Incentive Program: HB1628 authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to make a one-time payment from the renewable energy fund to certain owners of small renewable energy generating installations. OEP has created a summary of the process being developed by the PUC. Also, please see the statement  released by the PUC and the PUC Sustainable Energy page.
For questions regarding this rebate program, see the rebate program FAQ Web site.
PUC Residential Renewable Energy Rebate
I am pleased to announce the Public Utilities Commission has developed a draft rebate application for residential renewable electricity installations under 5 kilowatts, such as photovoltaic panels and small wind turbines. The draft application and related procedures will be the subject of a proceeding at the PUC leading to the adoption of an approved rebate application process. A copy of the draft rebate application can be found on our homepage.
This process will entail a technical session on May 15 in which interested parties will be able to meet with PUC staff, comment on the draft rebate application and procedures, and share any concerns or recommendations they may have. PUC staff will evaluate this feedback, assess the need for any changes in the application/procedures, and then submit a final version to the PUC Commissioners for review.
The Commission will hold a hearing on May 26 to take public comment and to consider whether the proposed application and procedures should be approved.
For those unable to attend the technical session and/or the hearing, you may submit written comments to me at the below address prior to the technical session on May 15.
Thank you for your continued interest in a clean energy future for New Hampshire.
Jack Ruderman, Director, Sustainable Energy Division, PUC
Jack.Ruderman@puc.nh.gov |
Net Metering: NH Public Utilities Commission, Code of Administrative Rules, Chapter Puc 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.
Local Incentives
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption: NH RSA 72:61-72 permits 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).
75 cities and towns have adopted one or more renewable energy property tax exemptions as of 2/18/09. 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. See the sample warrant articles for adopting the renewable energy 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
Federal Tax Credits
In February 2009. the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, often referred to as the stimulus package, made a number of changes for federal tax credits... more...
The tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction against the income tax due. Additional Information is available from Energystar.gov. A simplified summary of the incentives is also available.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentive Opportunities for
- Agricultural Producers
- Small Businesses
The incentives - grants, guaranteed loans, or a combination - can be used for a variety of projects. Recent awardees in New Hampshire include:
- Funspot, Weirs Beach, NH – replaced all lighting for significant savings on electricity consumption
- EZ Steel and Fabrication, Bath, NH – installed a geothermal heating system to replace a propane fired system
- Stuart and John’s Sugarhouse, Westmoreland, NH – purchased two reverse osmosis machines to make the production of maple syrup more energy efficient
- Van Berkum Greenhouse, Deerfield, NH – purchased energy curtain for greenhouse to reduce oil costs by limiting heat loss at night and blocking excessive heat build up during the day
- Pleasant View Gardens, Pembroke, NH – purchased a wood fired boiler system to replace an oil fired system that eliminated the use of #2 heating oil and provided significant cost savings
Eligible Areas: Communities of less than 50,000 population and not contiguous to a community of 50,000 or more. In New Hampshire, all communities would be eligible except Manchester, Nashua and any communities sharing a border with these cities.
For more details, see US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy For America Program (REAP)
Rural Energy for America Program Grants/Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assist (REAP/EA/REDA) Grant Program
In order to assist the agricultural producers and rural small businesses, the Rural Energy for America Program Grants/Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assist Grant Program will award grants to entities who wish to develop energy audit and renewable energy development assistance programs. Applicants can include units of:
- State, tribal or local government
- Land-grant colleges, universities, or other institutions of higher education (including 1994 Land Grant (Tribal Colleges) and 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Historically Black Universities)
- Public power entities
Due date is June 9, 2009. For more information, see the
REAP/EA/REDA Web site.
New Hampshire USDA Rural Development contacts:
Steve Epstein, Business Programs Specialist
(603) 223-6041
Steven.Epstein@nh.usda.gov
Scott Johnson, Business Programs Specialist
(603) 223-6058
Scott.Johnson@nh.usda.gov
Karen Demers, Program Technician
(603) 223-6045
Karen.Demers@nh.usda.gov
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