Residential Small Renewable Energy Rebate Program

New Hampshire enacted legislation (H.B. 1628) in July 2008 requiring the state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to establish and administer a rebate program for certain renewable energy systems. There are two steps involved in the rebate application process. Step one is a pre-approval application; step two is the final application. Both steps must be completed to receive the incentive. Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The rebate is equal to $0.20 per watt of nominal generation capacity per residential owner of an eligible facility, up to $1,000 or 30% of system costs, whichever is less. 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems must have a peak generation capacity of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less, must be located at the owner's residence, and must be certified as meeting UL 1703 by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory. Small wind turbines must have a manufacturer's rated maximum output of 10 kW (at wind speed of 11 m/s) and be located at the owner's residence. If there is no rated capacity at that speed, the closest speed at which the manufacturer rates the output will be considered. No rooftop wind systems will be accepted, and the average wind speed at the site should be at least 10 miles per hour. All wind turbines must be mounted at least 30 feet above any obstruction within 500-foot radius. Both grid-tied and off-grid systems are eligible. Equipment must meet applicable safety standards, and facilities must meet local zoning regulations. (Solar hot water systems are not eligible; the PUC has established a separate solar water-heating incentive program.)

This program is funded by alternative compliance payments from the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Customers of municipal utilities are not eligible because municipal utilities are exempt from the RPS. Notarized applications must be submitted in paper-copy format; no electronically submitted applications will be accepted. Rebates will be awarded to the extent that funding is available.