STATE SOLAR LAWS
New Hampshire's growing solar market and relatively high electricity costs make it fertile ground for solar sales — and disputes. Here's what Granite State law says about your rights.
Updated March 2026 · Not legal advice · Our methodology
New Hampshire homeowners face some of the highest electricity rates in the country, which makes solar an attractive proposition — but also a ripe market for aggressive sales practices. As residential solar installations have increased across the Granite State, so have disputes over contract terms, savings projections, and exit options. This guide covers the key New Hampshire laws that affect your solar contract, your cancellation rights, and your options if you need to get out of a solar agreement.
If you signed a solar contract in New Hampshire through a door-to-door or in-home sales transaction, you generally have a right to cancel within a specific timeframe under both federal and state law.
The Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) provides a 3-business-day right to cancel for sales made at your home. This applies to most door-to-door solar sales where a salesperson visited your residence. The cancellation period runs until midnight of the third business day after the contract was signed.
New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A) is the state's primary consumer protection statute and provides broad protections against unfair or deceptive business practices. While it does not establish a separate cooling-off period per se, it reinforces your rights when dealing with aggressive or misleading solar sales tactics. The federal FTC rule provides the baseline 3-day cancellation right for door-to-door transactions.
New Hampshire regulates home improvement contracts under RSA 361-B, which may apply to solar installations. This statute requires home improvement contractors to provide certain disclosures and may impose additional obligations regarding contract terms and cancellation rights. If your solar installation qualifies as a home improvement, these additional protections may apply.
Key detail: Under federal law, the seller is required to provide you with two copies of a cancellation form at the time of a door-to-door sale. If you did not receive this notice, your cancellation window may not have started running, potentially extending your right to cancel. Additionally, if your solar contract qualifies under RSA 361-B, additional disclosure requirements may apply. Consult a qualified attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
The cooling-off period typically applies when the sale was initiated through an unsolicited visit to your home. This generally includes:
Sales completed entirely online or at a permanent business location may not be covered by the same cooling-off protections. However, some solar companies include voluntary cancellation windows in their contracts regardless of how the sale was made.
Important: If you are within the cooling-off period, act immediately. Send your cancellation notice via certified mail and keep a copy for your records. Do not rely solely on phone calls or verbal cancellations. Pre-installation cancellation guide →
Beyond the cooling-off period, New Hampshire has several consumer protection laws that may apply to solar contracts and sales practices.
RSA 358-A prohibits any unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce. In the solar context, this may include:
If a solar company engaged in deceptive practices during the sales process, you may have grounds for contract rescission, damages, or other relief under RSA 358-A. New Hampshire courts have interpreted this statute broadly, and in our assessment, it is one of the strongest tools available to NH solar consumers who were misled.
New Hampshire requires electricians to be licensed through the New Hampshire Electricians' Board. Solar installation work generally requires appropriate electrical licensing. Additionally, home improvement contractors may need to comply with RSA 361-B. If your solar installer was not properly licensed, this may affect the enforceability of your contract.
The NH PUC oversees utility regulations that affect solar customers, including net metering policies, interconnection standards, and community solar programs. The three main utilities regulated by the PUC are Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities. If you are experiencing utility-related issues with your solar system, the PUC may be able to assist.
New Hampshire's net metering program, established under RSA 362-A and administered by the NH PUC, allows qualifying solar customers to receive credits for excess electricity they export to the grid.
Under current New Hampshire net metering rules:
Net metering terms may vary slightly by utility. Contact your provider or the NH PUC for specific details about your account.
New Hampshire's interconnection standards, overseen by the NH PUC, establish the technical and procedural requirements for connecting a solar system to the grid. Key aspects include:
New Hampshire has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RSA 362-F) that requires utilities to obtain a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This policy supports the solar market in the state but also affects the incentive landscape that solar companies may reference during sales. Be cautious of claims that link state RPS requirements to individual savings projections.
New Hampshire allows municipalities to offer a property tax exemption for solar energy systems under RSA 72:62. While not all towns have adopted this exemption, many have. This affects the economics of your solar installation and may be relevant when evaluating whether to keep or exit your solar agreement.
Based on our research, the most common solar contract disputes in New Hampshire typically involve the following issues:
While New Hampshire's high electricity rates do make solar potentially attractive, some homeowners report savings that fall well short of what was promised. Seasonal variation, shading from New Hampshire's dense forests, and changing utility rate structures can all affect actual savings. If the sales representative made specific savings guarantees that have not materialized, this may constitute a deceptive practice under RSA 358-A.
Solar leases and PPAs may result in a UCC-1 financing statement being filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. Many homeowners are surprised to discover this lien when trying to sell or refinance. If the solar company did not clearly disclose the UCC filing during the sales process, this may support a claim for rescission. UCC lien removal guide →
Solar companies have expanded door-to-door sales across New Hampshire, particularly in the southern tier closer to Boston and in the Lakes Region. Common violations include failure to provide required cancellation notices, misrepresenting savings projections, and using high-pressure tactics. These violations may extend your cancellation rights or provide grounds for legal action.
New Hampshire's climate — including heavy snowfall, shorter winter days, and dense tree cover — can affect solar production. Some homeowners report that their systems produce less energy than promised due to improper system sizing, failure to account for shading, or snow coverage not factored into production estimates. If the solar company guaranteed a specific production level, underperformance may provide grounds for a breach of contract claim.
Solar PPAs and leases commonly include annual price escalators of 1-3%. Over a 20-25 year contract, these escalators can cause your solar payments to approach or exceed grid electricity costs, even in a high-rate state like New Hampshire. If the escalator was not clearly disclosed or if savings claims did not account for the escalator, you may have grounds for relief. PPA exit guide →
Dealing with a solar contract issue in New Hampshire? Get a free preliminary review of your contract and options.
If you need to get out of a solar contract in New Hampshire, the approach depends on your specific situation and how far into the contract you are. Here is a general step-by-step framework:
Start by reading your entire solar contract, including all addendums and attachments. Pay particular attention to the cancellation clause, buyout provisions, escalator terms, and any performance guarantees. Note all deadlines and required notice procedures.
If you signed your contract within the last 3 business days through a door-to-door sale, you may still be able to cancel at no cost. Send a written cancellation notice immediately via certified mail. Do not wait. Cancellation guide →
Gather all documentation related to your solar purchase, including the original contract, any amendments, sales materials and brochures, email correspondence, text messages with sales representatives, utility bills before and after solar installation, and any recordings of phone conversations (New Hampshire is a two-party consent state — do not record conversations without the other party's knowledge under RSA 570-A:2).
Review whether any of the following may apply to your situation:
File a formal complaint with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Consumer Protection Bureau. While this may not directly cancel your contract, it creates an official record of the dispute and may prompt the solar company to negotiate. The AG's office may also investigate patterns of complaints against a specific company.
Based on your contract terms and circumstances, your primary exit options in New Hampshire include:
We always recommend consulting with a New Hampshire-licensed attorney who has experience with solar contract disputes before taking significant action. An attorney can evaluate the strength of your legal claims and advise you on the most effective strategy for your specific situation. Find a solar panel lawyer →
Important: We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. Failing to make payments could result in damage to your credit, collection actions, or acceleration of the full contract balance. Continue making payments while you explore your legal options.
New Hampshire follows the federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule providing a 3-business-day right to cancel for door-to-door solar sales. RSA 358-A and RSA 361-B may provide additional protections. If the seller failed to provide required cancellation notices, the window may be extended. Always check your specific contract. Cancellation guide →
After the cooling-off period, direct cancellation is generally not available without cost. Your main options include a contract buyout, transferring the agreement to a new homeowner when selling, or pursuing legal remedies if you were misled. RSA 358-A may provide additional grounds if deceptive practices were involved. Full exit guide →
New Hampshire has net metering under RSA 362-A. Qualifying residential solar customers may receive credits for excess electricity exported to the grid. Credits typically include the energy charge and may include certain distribution charges. Terms may vary by utility — Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty Utilities are the main providers. Contact your utility or the NH PUC for specific details.
New Hampshire does not have a comprehensive solar-specific consumer protection statute, but general consumer protection laws apply strongly. RSA 358-A prohibits deceptive practices. RSA 361-B regulates home improvement contractors, which may cover solar installations. The NH PUC oversees utility-related solar policies.
File complaints with the NH Attorney General's Consumer Protection Bureau at (603) 271-3641 or (888) 468-4454. For utility and net metering issues, contact the NH PUC at (603) 271-2431. We recommend filing with all relevant agencies to create a thorough record of your dispute.
Get a free preliminary contract review or see which companies our editorial team recommends for solar exits.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Solar contract terms and exit options vary by contract, company, and individual circumstances. Results vary by individual situation. We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. SolarPanelExit.com and TRU Solar Cancellation share common ownership. Consult a qualified New Hampshire-licensed attorney before taking action. See our Ownership Disclosure, Advertiser Disclosure, and Methodology.