New Hampshire's 1998 net metering law requires all utilities selling power in New Hampshire to provide, upon request, net metering to customers who generate a portion of their own electricity using wind, solar, or hydroelectric power systems with a capacity of 25kW or less.

In addition to being in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, net metered systems must comply with national safety and equipment standards as set forth by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the National Electrical Code, and Underwriters Laboratories. Non inverter-based systems must comply with safety and power quality requirements as outlined in PUC 907.

Facilities generating less than 10 kW are not required to have an external manual disconnect device. However, the customer assumes all risks and consequences associated with the choice not to install a switch and must place a warning label near the service meter. A customer-generator whose facility is capable of generating between 10 kW and 25 kW or which is on a service that is metered utilizing instrument transformers must install an external manual disconnect device at his/her own expense. Before final approval and interconnection to the grid, the customer-generator must conduct a load-break test to confirm that the anti-islanding controls are functioning.

Utilities may not require customer-generators to perform additional tests, pay for additional interconnection-related charges, or purchase property insurance and/or comprehensive personal liability insurance. Customer-generators must, however, enter into a mutual indemnity agreement with the utility unless otherwise agreed.

Applicants for net metering must submit a standard interconnection application. See page 34 of NH Code of Administrative Rules Chapter PUC 900 (.PDF) for a sample of the standard interconnection application.

This mutual agreement or contract offered by an electric distribution utility “shall be identical, with respect to rates, rate structure, and periodic charges, to the contract or tariff to which the same customer would be assigned if such customer was not an eligible customer-generator” (NH RSA 362-A:1a & 362-A:9).

Unitil has a net metering Application Procedure document on-line that may provide more information.

LOCAL OPTION PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
New Hampshire’s local option property tax statute (5 NH RSA 72:61-72) allows each city and town to offer an exemption on residential property taxes in the amount of the assessed value of a renewable energy system used on the property (solar, wind, and/or wood energy systems.)

As is the case for solar and wood energy systems, wind power may or may not qualify for an exemption in certain cities or towns. Energy sources that qualify are determined by the city or town electing to offer an exemption.

To determine if your area is qualified for the tax exemption see: A list of Participating jurisdictions

For more information visit the program web site.

Tom Frantz
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
8 Old Suncook Road
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2431
Fax: (603) 271-3878
tfrantz@puc.state.nh.us
http://www.puc.state.nh.us/

We are unaware of any New Hampshire utilities currently offering additional incentives for small wind energy systems.

Prepared by TrueWind Solutions, LLC, the New England Wind Resource Map is a resource for the New England area. This map update project was sponsored by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Northeast Utilities Systems, and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust.

The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state, including a map for New Hampshire. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful. There are additional wind maps for New Hampshire in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States. 

An electronic copy of the U.S. Department of Energy's 23-page Consumer’s Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems is available at the Wind Powering America web site. A state-specific Consumer’s Guide is available for New Hampshire.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Another item of interest is the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s web site on wind energy projects and wind energy events/news occurring through out the country.

We suggest that you contact your local utility and request information on their interconnection policies. (General contact information is found with NHPUC).

The following contact Information is for specific questions concerning net metering and interconnection of renewable energy systems in New Hampshire:

• Public Service of New Hampshire: Supplemental Energy Sources: 603-634-2311
• Granite State Electric: Engineering Dept.: 603-890-7009
• Unitil (Concord Electric, Exeter Hampton Electric Co.) Protection and Control Group: 603-773-6456
• New Hampshire Electric Cooperative: Engineering: 603-536-8834
  

Government Contacts

Environmental Office
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Six Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3503
Fax: (603) 271-2867
http://www.des.state.nh.us/

U.S. Department of Energy
Richard Michaud
Boston Regional Office
JFK Federal Building, Suite 675
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: 617-565-9700
http://www.eren.doe.gov/bro/

Local Organizations Interested in Renewable Energy Issues

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
www.nesea.org

Wind Powering America
www.windpoweringamerica.gov

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