New Hampshire Solar Panel Laws: Your Rights and How to Cancel a Solar Contract

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.

Right to Cancel: New Hampshire's Cooling-Off Period

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.

New Hampshire Home Solicitation Sales Law (RSA 361-B)

New Hampshire's own home solicitation sales statute is RSA 361-B, titled "Retail Selling." Under RSA 361-B:2, I, the seller must give the buyer a completed receipt and a copy of the contract at the time it is signed, carrying a notice in boldface type of at least 10 points, placed near the buyer's signature line, that reads: "ANY BUYER MAY CANCEL THIS TRANSACTION ANY TIME PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT OF THE THIRD BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THIS TRANSACTION."

Key points that generally apply to an in-home solar sale:

• Who is covered. RSA 361-B:1 defines a home solicitation sale as a sale of goods or services priced at $150 or more that a seller or the seller's representative solicits and consummates at any place other than the seller's permanent place of business. The statute expressly treats both cash and credit sales as home solicitation sales, so a cash solar purchase is generally not excluded.
• The deadline. Midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. Business days typically exclude Sundays and legal holidays.
• How to cancel. RSA 361-B:2, I provides that the buyer may cancel by written notice mailed to the seller, preferably by certified or registered letter, or by returning the merchandise in person within the cancellation period. The statute does not spell out a senior-citizen extension or a cutoff time other than midnight.
• What the seller owes you. On cancellation the seller generally must return payments, trade-ins, and any note or negotiable instrument within 15 days (RSA 361-B:2, I(b)). If the seller altered your property during the cancellation period, RSA 361-B:2, I(b-1) generally allows a full refund without a deduction for that work, or restoration of the property to its prior condition.
• Enforcement. Under RSA 361-B:3, I, a violation of RSA 361-B is an unfair or deceptive act or practice within the meaning of RSA 358-A:2, which opens up Consumer Protection Act remedies.

Federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule

The Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) provides a parallel 3-business-day right to cancel for sales made at your home, also running until midnight of the third business day. RSA 361-B:2, I expressly recognizes that a contract using the FTC door-to-door language may satisfy the state notice requirement where it gives the buyer equivalent protection.

New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A)

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. It does not itself create a separate cooling-off period; the cancellation right comes from RSA 361-B:2 and the federal rule. RSA 358-A matters because it supplies the remedies, and because RSA 361-B:3, I routes home solicitation violations into it.

What Counts as a Door-to-Door Sale in New Hampshire

The cooling-off period typically applies when the sale was initiated through an unsolicited visit to your home. This generally includes:

• A solar salesperson knocking on your door without a prior appointment
• A sales presentation conducted in your home, even if you initially responded to an advertisement
• Transactions completed at temporary locations like trade shows or hotel presentations

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.

New Hampshire Consumer Protection Laws for Solar

Beyond the cooling-off period, New Hampshire has several consumer protection laws that may apply to solar contracts and sales practices.

Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A)

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:

• Making false or misleading claims about energy savings or system performance
• Misrepresenting the terms of a solar lease, PPA, or loan agreement
• Failing to disclose material information such as escalator clauses, lien filings, or maintenance responsibilities
• Using high-pressure sales tactics or bait-and-switch methods
• Misrepresenting the company's licensing status or certifications
• Failing to honor cancellation requests made within the cooling-off period

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.

Contractor Licensing Requirements

New Hampshire requires electricians to be licensed through the New Hampshire Electricians' Board. Solar installation work generally requires appropriate electrical licensing. New Hampshire does not maintain a general statewide home improvement contractor license, so electrical licensing and local permitting are typically the main checkpoints. If your solar installer was not properly licensed, this may affect the enforceability of your contract.

New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

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.

Solar-Specific Regulations in New Hampshire

Net Metering in New Hampshire

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:

• Residential systems up to 100 kW may qualify for net metering
• Credits typically include the full energy charge and may include certain distribution charges
• Credits are carried forward monthly and may be subject to annual true-up
• Net metering terms may vary slightly by utility provider
• Community solar and group net metering options are also available

Interconnection Standards

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:

• Application and approval process through your utility provider
• Technical requirements for inverters, metering, and safety equipment
• Timelines for utility review and approval
• Insurance and liability provisions

Renewable Portfolio Standard

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.

Property Tax Exemption

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.

Common Solar Contract Issues in New Hampshire

Based on our research, the most common solar contract disputes in New Hampshire typically involve the following issues:

How to Exit a Solar Contract in New Hampshire

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:

Step 1: Review Your Contract Thoroughly

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.

Step 2: Determine If You Are Within the Cooling-Off Period

If you signed your contract within the last 3 business days through an in-home sale, you may still be able to cancel at no cost. Under RSA 361-B:2, I the window generally runs until midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction, and cancellation is made by written notice mailed to the seller, preferably by certified or registered letter. Send it immediately and keep proof of mailing. Do not wait. Cancellation guide →

Step 3: Document Everything

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).

Step 4: Identify Potential Legal Grounds

Review whether any of the following may apply to your situation:

• Misrepresentation of savings, system performance, or contract terms
• Failure to provide the written cancellation notice required by RSA 361-B:2, I or the FTC Cooling-Off Rule
• Deceptive trade practices under RSA 358-A
• Home solicitation sales violations under RSA 361-B, which RSA 361-B:3, I treats as unfair or deceptive acts
• Contractor licensing violations
• Breach of contract (failure to deliver promised performance)
• Failure to disclose UCC lien filings or other material terms

Step 5: File a Complaint with the New Hampshire Attorney General

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.

Step 6: Explore Your Exit Options

Based on your contract terms and circumstances, your primary exit options in New Hampshire include:

1. Contract buyout: purchasing the system at fair market value or a scheduled price per your contract terms
2. Transfer to a new homeowner: if you are selling your home, the buyer may assume the solar agreement (selling with solar guide →)
3. Negotiated settlement: working directly with the solar company to reach a mutually agreeable resolution
4. Legal action: pursuing rescission or damages through New Hampshire courts if you have valid legal grounds (find a solar lawyer →)
5. Professional exit service: hiring a company that specializes in solar contract exits (see our rankings →)

Step 7: Consult a Qualified Attorney

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 →

New Hampshire Attorney General and Consumer Protection Resources

Frequently Asked Questions