Top 7 Best Solar Companies in New Hampshire (2024 Reviews)
In this complete guide to hiring the best solar panel company in New Hampshire, you’ll learn:
- What are the most reputable solar installers in New Hampshire?
- Is there any way to save money on your system when choosing a solar provider in New Hampshire?
- Is a DIY solar installation a good idea in New Hampshire?
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
New Hampshire is one of the most profitable states to convert to solar, with the average customer in the area seeing energy savings that pay for their system in just eight years and then save an additional $57,051, on average. Making the decision to go solar in NH is typically an easy one, but choosing one of the 24 installers in the area is much more challenging.
In this guide, we’ll be reviewing the best solar companies in New Hampshire. We’ll explain where each excels and falls short, some things to consider before choosing one and more.
What Are the Best Solar Companies in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is home to 24 solar panel installation companies, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). We’ve spent hours reviewing each of these providers and believe that the following are the best options in your area:
- SunPower: Best National Provider
- Tesla: Best Technology
- All Energy Solar: Best Regional Provider
- New England Clean Energy: Best Customer Service
- ReVision Energy: Best for System Customization
- Great Sky Solar: Best Social Impact
- Granite State Solar: Best Local Installer
Compare New Hampshire’s Top-Rated Solar Providers
Of the 20+ solar installers in New Hampshire, we recommend SunPower or All Energy Solar for most customers. These providers deliver high-quality equipment, great customer service and extensive expertise for a successful and safe installation.
The table below includes a look at how these two companies stack up to our other top picks.
Solar Providers | Superlative | Our Score | Avg Cost | Warranty | Financing Options | Get Quote |
SunPower | Best National Provider | 5/5 | $$$$ | Minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
Tesla | Best Technology | 4.5/5 | $$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
All Energy Solar | Best Regional Provider | 4/5 | $$$$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; workmanship warranty term not disclosed | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
New England Clean Energy | Best Customer Service | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and performance; 20 years for workmanship and roof leak protection | Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA | Get Quote |
ReVision Energy | Best for System Customization | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment, performance and workmanship | Cash, solar loan | Get Quote |
Great Sky Solar | Best Social Impact | 4/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and production | Cash, solar loan | Get Quote |
Granite State Solar | Best Local Installer | 4.5/5 | $$$ | 25 years for equipment and production; 12 years for workmanship | Cash, solar loan | Get Quote |
Tesla Energy
Pros
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
Cons
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
As a massive tech company in the U.S., it’s no surprise that Tesla manufactures some of the most sought-after solar products in the industry.
The company has spotty customer service, in large part because it outsources installations, but it’s a good option overall and services the entire state.
Why We Chose Tesla for the Best Technology
Tesla is best known in the solar industry for its solar battery, the Tesla Powerwall. This has one of the most impressive performance specs of any battery in the industry, including a high round-trip efficiency and a large capacity for storage.
Solar batteries are particularly beneficial in New Hampshire because they help increase the rate for which you’re credited for excess energy to the full retail rate, which is well above average in NH. Most customers have access to net metering, but the credit rate is close to the wholesale rate. At over 19 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), even energy at the wholesale rate is quite expensive in the area. Batteries let you minimize that by offering effective retail net metering.
New Hampshire is also one of the most common states for power outages to occur. Tesla Powerwalls come equipped with user-friendly options like StormWatch, which automatically prepares your system to maximize storage if a storm is likely.
What We Don’t Like
As mentioned, Tesla outsources all of its installations to third-party installers, so customer service will depend on the company that’s assigned to your solar project. Especially when spending upward of $10,000 on photovoltaic (PV) equipment, it would be nice to be able to guarantee you get great customer service.
Much like SunPower, Tesla only installs a single brand of each product it offers. We’d love to see a little variety, even though the panels, batteries and EV chargers it does install are high-quality.
Read our full review of Tesla for more information.
Solar Products
Tesla used to manufacture its own solar panels, but it has ceased that operation and now installs QCells panels. QCells panels are a great option for any homeowner in New Hampshire, in our opinion.
Specifically, they have an above-average efficiency rating of up to 21.4% to help maximize your energy production to offset losses from snow coverage. Plus, they go through some of the most extensive testing of any panel in the industry, so they have one of the lowest fail rates. This is crucial in a high-risk area like New Hampshire, where extreme weather and long exposure to snow and moisture can be issues.
In addition to QCells panels, Tesla provides the following:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Tesla-branded EV chargers
- Tesla solar roof
- The Tesla solar monitoring mobile app
Financing Options
Tesla accepts all four major payment options, which means the relatively high-cost solar equipment in New Hampshire is still highly accessible through this provider.
If you can make a cash purchase work, it will save you the most money in the long run. A solar loan through Tesla is also a great option, but interest will decrease your total savings.
Leases and PPAs can be helpful for those that can’t justify a cash purchase or qualify for a loan, as they’re the most accessible. However, we don’t recommend them to most customers unless they’re the only options.
Warranty Information
Tesla’s QCells panels come with a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer for the equipment and the power production. The former is average, and the latter is a little longer than what’s typical in the industry.
Tesla also includes a ten-year workmanship warranty, which is in line with the industry average as well. Although this is standard, we do wish it was a little longer. New Hampshire solar systems see a lot of snow, and that constant exposure to moisture can create issues for your system and home if your panels aren’t installed properly.
Facts and Figures: Tesla Energy
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
C |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring |
Tesla Energy
Pros
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
Cons
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
As a massive tech company in the U.S., it’s no surprise that Tesla manufactures some of the most sought-after solar products in the industry.
The company has spotty customer service, in large part because it outsources installations, but it’s a good option overall and services the entire state.
Why We Chose Tesla for the Best Technology
Tesla is best known in the solar industry for its solar battery, the Tesla Powerwall. This has one of the most impressive performance specs of any battery in the industry, including a high round-trip efficiency and a large capacity for storage.
Solar batteries are particularly beneficial in New Hampshire because they help increase the rate for which you’re credited for excess energy to the full retail rate, which is well above average in NH. Most customers have access to net metering, but the credit rate is close to the wholesale rate. At over 19 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), even energy at the wholesale rate is quite expensive in the area. Batteries let you minimize that by offering effective retail net metering.
New Hampshire is also one of the most common states for power outages to occur. Tesla Powerwalls come equipped with user-friendly options like StormWatch, which automatically prepares your system to maximize storage if a storm is likely.
What We Don’t Like
As mentioned, Tesla outsources all of its installations to third-party installers, so customer service will depend on the company that’s assigned to your solar project. Especially when spending upward of $10,000 on photovoltaic (PV) equipment, it would be nice to be able to guarantee you get great customer service.
Much like SunPower, Tesla only installs a single brand of each product it offers. We’d love to see a little variety, even though the panels, batteries and EV chargers it does install are high-quality.
Read our full review of Tesla for more information.
Solar Products
Tesla used to manufacture its own solar panels, but it has ceased that operation and now installs QCells panels. QCells panels are a great option for any homeowner in New Hampshire, in our opinion.
Specifically, they have an above-average efficiency rating of up to 21.4% to help maximize your energy production to offset losses from snow coverage. Plus, they go through some of the most extensive testing of any panel in the industry, so they have one of the lowest fail rates. This is crucial in a high-risk area like New Hampshire, where extreme weather and long exposure to snow and moisture can be issues.
In addition to QCells panels, Tesla provides the following:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Tesla-branded EV chargers
- Tesla solar roof
- The Tesla solar monitoring mobile app
Financing Options
Tesla accepts all four major payment options, which means the relatively high-cost solar equipment in New Hampshire is still highly accessible through this provider.
If you can make a cash purchase work, it will save you the most money in the long run. A solar loan through Tesla is also a great option, but interest will decrease your total savings.
Leases and PPAs can be helpful for those that can’t justify a cash purchase or qualify for a loan, as they’re the most accessible. However, we don’t recommend them to most customers unless they’re the only options.
Warranty Information
Tesla’s QCells panels come with a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer for the equipment and the power production. The former is average, and the latter is a little longer than what’s typical in the industry.
Tesla also includes a ten-year workmanship warranty, which is in line with the industry average as well. Although this is standard, we do wish it was a little longer. New Hampshire solar systems see a lot of snow, and that constant exposure to moisture can create issues for your system and home if your panels aren’t installed properly.
Facts and Figures: Tesla Energy
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
C |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Roof Shingles, System Monitoring |
All Energy Solar
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Full-service home energy solutions
- Excellent reputation
- NABCEP-certified technicians
Cons
- Expensive
All Energy Solar combines impressive experience and certifications with excellent customer service that should instill confidence in any homeowner.
This is one of the most expensive solar installers in the Granite State, but if you’re looking for quality and don’t mind paying a premium for it, it’s a great option.
Why We Chose All Energy Solar as the Best Regional Provider
All Energy Solar has been serving New Hampshire since 2009. In addition to over a year of local experience, the technicians hold licenses as certified electricians and many are certified by NABCEP (the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). These facts don’t prove that the company offers professional installations, but it definitely suggests it.
All Energy Solar also puts customers first and provides incredible service from the first call you make through the installation and beyond. This is evident in the company’s amazing 4.9-star rating on Google Reviews and its 4.5-star rating on the BBB’s website (Better Business Bureau).
As a regional company, we’re also surprised by how hands-on the company is in terms of helping customers file for solar incentives. The techs are knowledgeable about local tax incentives and solar rebates and can potentially help you save some money by helping you file for them.
What We Don’t Like
There’s not much we can say about All Energy Solar that isn’t positive. The only real drawback, in our opinion, is that the price for its products and services is well above average.
This is a pretty significant downside for most customers, especially in New Hampshire, where the cost per watt for solar equipment is already one of the highest in the country. The company does accept a few payment options to keep things accessible, but the high cost is still going to be a deterrent for many customers.
Solar Products
All Energy Solar installs panels that are manufactured by REC, JA Solar, LONGi and SolarEdge. We feel this combination of panel brands is a solid one, as the options range from affordable to more expensive and good efficiency to great efficiency.
We recommend the panels from REC if you want to maximize production and have the best chance of eliminating your energy bill. These produce more power per watt than the other options. The SolarEdge or JA Solar panels are better options for keeping installation costs down, as they’re the most affordable solar panels overall.
Below is a quick list of other products and services you can get access to through All Energy Solar:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Enphase IQ solar batteries
- EV chargers — specific brands aren’t advertised
- Solar monitoring apps from Tesla and Enphase
- Roof replacement
Financing Options
Unlike most regional companies, All Energy Solar accepts cash purchases, solar loans, solar leases and PPAs. While we don’t recommend all of these options, having them available does help improve the company’s accessibility, especially given the high cost of PV equipment in New Hampshire and the above-average company pricing.
We suggest a cash purchase or solar loan for maximum savings, access to the federal credit and a boosted property value. Leases and PPAs don’t let you take the federal solar tax credit and can actually complicate the sale of your home rather than make your property more valuable.
Warranty Information
All Energy Solar includes a 25-year warranty for the equipment and production of the panels it installs. The equipment warranty is standard, and the production warranty is excellent, as it’s a little longer than most companies offer.
The company also makes mention of a workmanship warranty included with its systems, but it doesn’t provide any specific information for the term until you get a quote. The likelihood is that the coverage is for ten years, which is the industry standard.
Facts and Figures: All Energy Solar
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Electrical Work, System Monitoring |
New England Clean Energy
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Many financing options
- Competitive pricing
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
- Slightly limited service offerings
New England Clean Energy is hard to beat in terms of customer service and care, communication and hands-on installations.
The company has limited service offerings and doesn’t offer many panel brands, but for those who just want the basics and great service, it’s an outstanding choice.
Why We Chose New England Clean Energy as the Best for Customer Service
New England Clean Energy is a regional company, as the name suggests, but it’s small enough that it can still give the attention and care that each solar customer deserves. The company has maintained an excellent 4.2-star rating and an A+ score with the BBB, plus a 4-star rating with Google Reviews.
The reviews we read through are full of customers raving about the communication they received throughout the installation process, the hands-on approach the company takes to educating about solar and helping you file for solar incentives and the overall professionalism of the team members.
New England Clean Energy also installs Maxeon panels, which are the best in the business. These are super high-quality and provide above-average energy production capabilities, which is ideal in an area like New Hampshire, where snow coverage can cause overall production to dip.
What We Don’t Like
New England Clean Energy (NECE) has limited service offerings, so it’s not a good option if you’re looking for anything more than panels and batteries. We prefer companies that also offer EV chargers — especially in NH, given the bump in popularity of EVs — and other services for system customization.
Additionally, while the company has great overall ratings for customer service, there have been some issues with delays noted in customer reviews. It’s unclear if they are the fault of the installer or the utility company, but in either case, New England Clean Energy does remain communicative throughout the process.
Solar Products
NECE prioritizes Maxeon solar panels, which we absolutely love to see. We think the high efficiency ratings and above-average warranty coverage make them ideal for New Hampshirites.
However, the company also offers panels from Solaria, Panasonic and SolarEdge to add a little variety. We recommend the Maxeon panels unless you’re looking to minimize your installation costs, in which case the below-average cost per watt of the SolarEdge panels should serve you well.
Below are the other limited products and services NECE offers:
- Enphase solar batteries
- Generac solar batteries
- The MySunPower and Enphase solar monitoring apps
Financing Options
NECE accepts cash purchases, solar loans, leases and PPAs. This kind of variety is uncommon from a regional installer, but it’s great for accessibility.
We still suggest a cash purchase if you can make one work because it provides the highest energy savings and leads to the shortest breakeven point. Loans are the next best option, as interest will reduce your savings and extend your payback period a bit.
Leases and PPAs are good for accessibility but save much less over time and don’t lead to panel ownership, so they’re not the best for savings.
Warranty Information
NECE provides outstanding warranty coverage, which includes 25 years of protection for your panels, a 25-year production guarantee, plus a 20-year warranty for workmanship and roof leak protection.
The labor warranty is especially great, as it’s double the industry average. The roof leak warranty is also incredible to have in NH, where above-average snowfall and exposure to moisture can cause serious issues for panels that are improperly installed and don’t come with great protection. Most companies don’t specifically cover roof leaks, so NECE is a solid option solely because of this protection.
Facts and Figures: New England Clean Energy
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
ReVision Energy
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Certified B Corp
- Many years of experience
Cons
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
- No leases or PPAs
ReVision Energy is a regional provider with an impressive social impact and a wide range of products and services that offer above-average customization options for your solar array.
The company only accepts cash purchases and loans, so it’s not the most accessible. However, we do recommend it if you can afford it.
Why We Chose ReVision Energy as the Best for System Customization
Most solar panel installation companies offer panels and batteries, but ReVision goes a few steps further to include EV chargers — an increasingly popular option in New Hampshire — solar heat pumps and solar water heaters.
These energy efficiency options mean you can go solar through the company and also boost your home’s efficiency to maximize your savings. This is especially important in an area like the Granite State, a particularly green state where energy prices are about 1.5x the national average. Every little bit of savings helps, and ReVision can help get you there.
ReVision also has a positive social impact, as it’s B-Corp certified. Not only does the company care more about profit alone, but it also gives back to the surrounding communities.
Finally, ReVision has been serving New Hampshire residents for over two decades, so the provider has plenty of experience installing systems safely and according to your specific needs.
What We Don’t Like
ReVision doesn’t accept leases or PPAs, which is a pretty minor downside. We generally recommend cash purchases and loans, but leases and PPAs do help keep services accessible. It would be nice for customers to have those options, especially since PV equipment in your state is well above average in terms of price per watt.
There’s not much else to say about ReVision that isn’t positive. While the accessibility isn’t as good as it could be, we think it’s a great company to choose for those looking for an experienced company with a positive impact on the environment and the communities it serves.
Solar Products
ReVision installs panels from a handful of tier-one manufacturers, including QCells, SolarEdge and Maxeon/SunPower. We absolutely recommend the Maxeon panels if you don’t mind paying a premium for quality and performance. These also come with the most impressive manufacturer’s warranty to keep you adequately protected from system damage in New Hampshire’s harsh weather.
The SolarEdge panels are going to be your best bet if you’d prefer to prioritize a low installation total.
Below is a list of the many other products and services ReVision offers to customers:
- Tesla Powerwalls
- Other solar batteries — specific brands not mentioned
- ClipperCreek EV chargers, as well as other brands
- Solar water heaters
- Solar heat pumps
- The Tesla and MySunPower solar monitoring apps
Financing Options
ReVision only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, so its accessibility isn’t going to be as impressive as some other companies with more financing options.
Of these two, a cash purchase is going to be the most beneficial over time. You will get hit with a hefty installation bill for the entire system cost, but you’ll own your panels immediately and won’t pay interest on your system. That means the fastest breakeven point and the greatest energy savings in the long run.
Warranty Information
ReVision provides excellent warranty coverage, including a 25-year warranty for the equipment and efficiency, as well as 25 years of coverage for the workmanship.
Both the efficiency and workmanship warranties are above average, but we think the labor coverage is the best coverage you’ll get from the company. This helps ensure your panels will stand up to the heavy snowfall and sometimes harsh weather expected in New Hampshire. The labor warranty is also 2.5x the industry average, making it a solid option overall in the area.
Facts and Figures: ReVision Energy
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Community Solar, Solar Heat Pumps |
Watch Below: How Much Does It Cost to Go Solar in New Hampshire?
How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In New Hampshire
The typical cost of solar panel systems in New Hampshire is around $24,505 before any solar benefit programs.
The cost per watt in the Granite State is well above the national average — $3.33 — and typically falls around $3.77. Despite a higher cost per watt, systems are more affordable overall because the low energy consumption in NH demands a smaller system — around 6.5 kilowatts (kW) — than the average of 9 kW in the U.S.
Although the total cost to go solar in NH is a few thousand dollars below the national average, it’s still far more than many New Hampshirites can afford to pay upfront. As such, most look for ways to save money when choosing an installer. Below are some tips for minimizing your initial and long-term costs:
- Take advantage of the many solar incentive programs available in NH
- Consider installing a solar storage solution
- Choose a high-efficiency panel brand
- Get a few different free quotes
We’ll explain why these strategies tend to save you money in New Hampshire below.
Take Advantage of Local Solar Benefit Programs
No matter where you live, taking advantage of the incentives available for going solar is one of the best ways to bring down your initial costs and maximize your long-term savings. In the table below, we’ll include all of the incentives available to New Hampshire residents and explain how each can affect your system total.
Solar Benefit Program | Program Description |
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | This is a credit that gets applied to the income tax burden you owe to the federal government. It’s applied the year you install your system and can be carried over for up to five years. The credit is for 30% of what you pay for panels, batteries, inverters and installation labor, which averages around $7,352 in NH. |
Residential Small Renewable Energy Rebate Program | The State of New Hampshire incentivizes solar adoption by offering a cashback incentive of up to $200 for every kilowatt (kW) of solar equipment you install on your home. The rebate can be up to 30% of your system value or $1,000, whichever is lower. |
Net Metering | Net metering is a highly beneficial billing option that guarantees solar customers get credited for any excess energy their systems generate. You earn credits for power sent to the grid, and those can be used to offset the energy you pull from the grid in the future. This helps maximize long-term savings and can help minimize the panel payback period. |
EverSource ConnectedSolutions Energy Storage Rebate | EverSource customers can earn cashback incentives if they install a battery alongside their panels and allow their utility company to tap into the power stored when needed. As of late 2024, the remaining funds available for this program was down to $750,000, so it won’t last much longer. |
Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy and Electrical Energy Storage | NH exempts the value your solar power system adds to your home when assessing your property taxes. This perk prevents your taxes from going up due to solar conversion. |
Consider Installing a Solar Battery
Solar batteries will undoubtedly add to your system total, but they can pay for themselves in some cases and add even more to your home value, making them a good option for some in NH.
Specifically, you might want to consider an energy solution for solar storage if you’re an EverSource customer. This utility company provides cashback perks for solar customers who install a battery and allow the company access to the stored power during times of high demand.
Not only can a battery earn you some additional money, but it can help offset your energy bills by minimizing how much power you pull from the grid at night, on rainy days or when snow is covering your panels. Ultimately, a battery makes it easier to eliminate electric bills or come close to it in NH.
Choose a Highly Efficient Panel Brand
Choosing a solar installer that offers high-efficiency panel brands is a great way to pay off your system more quickly and earn more in energy savings over time.
New Hampshire sees heavy snowfall every year, and snow coverage can decrease solar power production. Not only that, but the state sees a below-average number of sunny days per year, which also drives production down.
High-efficiency panels will help keep your overall production up, which means greater savings on your energy bills and a faster panel payback period.
Get Multiple Free Quotes
Finally, we suggest you get a few different free quotes from installers in your area. NH is home to 20 solar providers, and you’re likely to get 20 different prices from these installers for the same system due to differences in equipment costs and labor costs.
Getting a handful of free quotes from companies that service your area is a good way to get an idea of where your pricing should be. You can then rule out more expensive companies or those that don’t provide the same value for the price.
You can use our solar calculator to see average solar panel costs in your area and to get an idea of how much you can save by converting to solar in New Hampshire.
Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In New Hampshire?
The average property value in NH sits at around $447,215, and solar is expected to raise this value by around 4.1%.3,4 That’s an average increase of approximately $18,335. Given that the typical system costs far less than this after the federal tax credit is taken, the return on investment (ROI) for solar in New Hampshire is outstanding.
There are a handful of municipalities in NH that have adopted solar on a city-wide level.5 While this doesn’t always mean that solar will be more accepted and more valued by residents as well, it is a good precursor for a higher ROI on residential solar systems. These municipalities include:
- Concord
- Durham
- Hanover
- Keene
- Lebanon
- Lee
- Nashua
- Peterborough
- Plymouth and
- Stratham
Should New Hampshire Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?
Although the cost of going solar is well below the national average in NH, many residents are still tempted to attempt DIY solar panels and installations because they are significantly cheaper than hiring a professional. Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why DIY solar arrays aren’t ideal in New Hampshire, including:
- Less appealing warranties on DIY equipment
- Lower panel efficiency for DIY solar kits
- A higher risk of property damage resulting from a lack of experience
We’ll explain these drawbacks in greater depth in the following sections.
Warranty Coverage Is Less Appealing
The most significant downside to DIY installations in New Hampshire, in our opinion, is the lack of warranty coverage you get. Professionally installed panels typically come with 25 years of protection for physical damage, ten years of protection for the installation services and between 20 and 25 years of protection for the panel efficiency.
In New Hampshire, we believe efficiency and installation guarantees are the most important. Efficiency warranties help ensure you can offset the well-above-average energy rates for years after installation, thereby maximizing your savings.
Labor warranties help protect against damages from roof leaks and other issues, which are more common in New Hampshire due to above-average precipitation.
DIY panels come with no labor warranty, and their efficiency warranty often only lasts for around ten years. You might pay less for a DIY solar system initially, but your long-term outlay of cash could be significantly higher.
DIY Panels Aren’t as Efficient
We’ve mentioned above that panel efficiency is an important consideration in New Hampshire. This is true not only because your panels receive below-average amounts of sunlight due to cloudy days and snow coverage in the winter but also because the cost of pulling power from the grid when your panels underperform is about 49% more costly than it would be in other states.6
DIY panels usually have efficiency ratings closer to 15% but up to about 20%. Professional panels go up to 22.7% and often sit above 20%. DIY solar panels also tend to degrade in efficiency more rapidly and have efficiency warranties that last around ten years on average. Professional panels can have efficiency warranties for 90% efficiency for up to 25 years.
It might be tempting to pay less for DIY panel installation. However, you’re more likely to start at a low efficiency and lose efficiency more quickly with DIY panels, yielding lower overall savings vs an efficient professional solar panel.
Property Damage Is More Likely With DIY Installations
Finally, property damage from improper panel installation is a serious concern no matter where you live, but especially in New Hampshire. This is primarily because rainfall and snowfall are far above average in the area, making roof leaks more likely.
Even experienced DIYers will have minimal experience installing solar equipment, in particular. A lack of experience will significantly increase the risk of property damage. Again, you might save money upfront by installing your panels yourself, but the resulting property damage could prove to be more costly overall than hiring a professional.
What Should New Hampshirites Look For in a Solar Installer?
New Hampshire residents have unique needs when it comes to PV panels, so there are a few things we recommend looking for in a solar panel installation company in your area. These include:
- Lengthy warranty coverage
- High-quality panel brands
- Lots of experience in the industry and in NH, specifically
We’ll explain why we think these are the most important qualities to look for in a New Hampshire installer below.
Good Warranty Coverage
First off, we suggest prioritizing labor and efficiency warranty coverage in your solar installer.
Labor warranties help protect you against issues with the installation, specifically roof leaks that could result from improper technique. They also help ensure you’re not choosing a company that is inexperienced and new to the industry, as these installers rarely offer good labor warranties.
Panel efficiency warranties can help make sure your system continues to serve you and save you money for years to come. Some companies even offer performance warranties guaranteeing that your system will provide the exact amout of power as outlined in your estimate. This is especially crucial in areas throughout New England, which has some of the highest electricity prices in the country.
High-Quality, High-Efficiency Panel Brands
For similar reasons, we recommend choosing an installer that uses durable, high-quality panel brands that boast above-average efficiency. High efficiency means better energy production, which can offset losses from snow coverage and frequent cloudy days.
Some panels that work well for NH residents’ needs include:
- SunPower/Maxeon (the highest-efficiency panel brand in the industry)
- REC
- Panasonic
- Silfab
- Trina
- Canadian Solar
- Q Cells
Experience
Finally, we suggest you choose a company that has several years of experience — at least five but, ideally, ten — in the industry and in NH, specifically. An experienced company is less likely to run into hiccups with permitting and offers a lower risk of poor installation technique.
Plus, well-established companies are less likely to go out of business, which means your warranties are more likely to remain in effect.
The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in New Hampshire
In an effort to make sure we only recommend the best solar companies in New Hampshire, we carefully researched and reviewed the 20+ installers that operate in the state and ranked them based on six main criteria. We’ll explain those factors below and why we believe they’re so important in New Hampshire, specifically.
- Local reputation and reviews (20%): The local solar scene is really just starting to pick up in New Hampshire, and with the recent bump in demand for clean energy, we’ve seen some less reputable companies popping up to take advantage. To help you avoid these providers that are less likely to offer good service and quality workmanship, we read through dozens of company reviews to see which companies are most likely to meet and exceed your expectations.
- Pricing and financing (20%): The per-watt cost of solar equipment in New Hampshire is around $3.77, making it one of the more expensive places to go solar in the country and well above the national average of $3.33. To help keep your installation costs low, we next look at each provider’s average pricing and try to promote installers that maintain average or below-average costs. We also prefer companies that have a wealth of payment options available, as they are likely to appeal to more customers and make solar more attainable.
- Services offered (20%): Next, we consider the services and add-on products each provider offers to customers. Solar batteries are a popular choice in New Hampshire, EV chargers are becoming more and more prevalent and a lot of customers look for other energy efficiency upgrades to help combat the above-average energy prices in the area. Companies that offer a slew of different services are more likely to meet those local needs.
- Warranty coverage (20%): New Hampshirites see a lot of snow and rain each year, along with their fair share of extreme weather. The exposure to strong winds and moisture naturally puts rooftop solar systems at an elevated risk of damage. That’s why we find it so important for companies to include robust warranty coverage for their products and labor. We specifically look for workmanship warranties that are longer than ten years, as this helps avoid issues with roof leaks and system damage that can result from improper installation.
- Company experience (10%): Since the local solar industry is just starting to expand and take off in New Hampshire, we’re leery of promoting installers that are just popping up now. We try to stick to companies with at least a decade of experience. This accomplishes two things. First, experience means a lower risk of improper installation. Second, companies with more longevity in the industry are more likely to stick around and honor your warranty coverage.
- Brand quality (10%): Finally, we look at the brands of solar equipment offered by each installer. We really like to see a variety of brands, including affordable options that help keep the above-average cost of PV equipment in NH down, as well as high-efficiency options for maximizing the chances of eliminating the high electric bills in the area.
FAQ: Best Solar Companies in New Hampshire
Below, we’ll answer some of the questions we see most frequently about choosing a solar installer in New Hampshire.
Each of our top picks is a reputable solar provider in or servicing New Hampshire. However, in terms of years of experience and outstanding customer ratings, ReVision and New England Clean Energy are both excellent, reputable choices.
Affordability is a critical aspect for many residents across the United States looking to go solar. If this is an important factor for you and your home, we recommend obtaining several quotes from different companies. Once you gather personalized quotes from a few of your top picks, you can compare pricing and additional aspects of each company’s offerings. Competitive pricing can often be the deciding factor that makes going solar worth it in New Hampshire.
ReVision has nearly two decades of experience under its belt, making it the most experienced solar provider in New Hampshire out of our top picks. New England Clean Energy isn’t far behind, as it was founded in 2006.
In some cases, New Hampshire residents may find a bigger/national solar provider better suited to their needs. Larger companies may offer better, more affordable rates and quick service. However, some smaller, local companies can easily compete with larger competitors in these aspects.
Ultimately, the decision falls to the resident and their priorities for a solar provider. For example, if your main defining factor is affordable pricing, you may find that a larger solar provider can better meet your needs.
Top solar Installers in New Hampshire Cities
Comparing authorized solar partners
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- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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