Solar Energy Resources
Barrington and the SolSmart Program
Barrington is seeking ways to encourage solar energy development in our community. This webpage represents a collection of solar information and resources for the community. Our community’s energy goals can be found in the Energy Committee’s Mission Statement. For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, read the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar as well as the Energy Resources and Tax Credits section on this site.
Barrington has been recognized as a SolSmart Bronze designee for implementing best practices that make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy. SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and designation recognizes Barrington as “open for solar business.” Learn more about the program here.
Policies and Processes
The Barrington Building/Code Enforcement Department is committed to providing outstanding customer service. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community we are committed to the following:
- Providing clear guidelines about the solar permitting and inspection process in the Barrington Solar Permitting Checklist and Barrington Solar Permit Application.
- Barrington code enforcement is committed to providing a timely review of solar PV permit applications. Best efforts are made to review completed residential solar permit applications within 2-3 business days and commercial/non-residential solar permit applications within 3-5 business days.
- Information on scheduling inspections, the inspection process, as well as additional information about the permitting process, codes, and design criteria, may be found on the Solar Permitting Checklist
Benefits of Going Solar
Solar energy is a renewable energy source providing benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies in New Hampshire, creates local jobs, saves money on energy costs, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.
New Hampshire State Solar Overview
Solar Maps and Potential
Investigate your property’s solar potential by clicking here. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.
Solar Energy in Barrington
| Year | Permits Issued/ Completed | PV Capacity | Storage Capacity | Residential/ Commercial | Municipal Projects | Community Solar (# of subscribers) |
2020 | 13 | |||||
| 2021 | 27 | |||||
| 2022 | 43 | |||||
| 2023 | 74 | |||||
| 2024 | 27 | 26/1 | 1 | |||
| 2025 | 4/0 | 4/ | 1 |
|
Municipal Solar Projects
Barrington Town Hall Goes Green
The 43kW photovoltaic system installed on the Town Hall is designed to generate approximately 38,000 kWh per year; fully offset the town's annual electricity consumption for the building; and pay for itself in less than 9 years. Real time statistics on the performance of the system can be found here.
Barrington Public Library
The new Public Library building has been designed to be an all-electric facility with solar electricity providing approximately 55.4 kWh/year to power the building and its air-source heat pump HVAC system. This will account for an estimated 75-80% of the energy required to run the building providing a low carbon solution as an example of what can be done locally with building upgrades.
Finding a Contractor and Going Solar
Find a solar contractor(s) to assess your home or business for solar energy and provide a quote.
- Certified practitioners in the local area can be found through NABCEP.
- Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers.
- Solar Customer Resource Portal – various resources from SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association.
- Solar Owner’s Manual – information for current solar homeowners to ensure they are getting the most out of their system from Solar United Neighbors.
Financing and Incentives
Please Note: Many of the clean energy incentives referenced below were established under the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal legislation (such as the Investment Tax Credit). However, several of these programs have been, or are in the process of being, rolled back under current federal policy. These changes are expected to increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers pursuing clean energy solutions and will slow progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions—worsening the long-term impacts of climate change. Before relying on any of the information provided, we strongly recommend consulting with solar professionals, tax advisors, or legal experts to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.
Typically, solar installations are paid for through loans, upfront payments, or a power purchase agreement (PPA).
- A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing is a resource from the Clean Energy States Alliance that provides an overview of the different financing options available for clean energy installations.
Federal Incentives:
There are many incentives and funding opportunities available for solar and other clean energy technologies.
- A great place for residents to start identifying the federal incentives for which they are eligible is this calculator from Rewiring America. The rebates and incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act can vary depending on your location and income.
- Additional details about benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act can be found on the EPA’s website or the Department of Energy website.
- The Federal Investment Tax Credit for residential solar continues to be one of the most significant ways to reduce the cost of your solar PV system. Learn more about the federal tax credit, eligibility, and other common questions & answers in the Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Businesses should refer to the Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses.
- Some solar projects will be eligible for bonus credits on top of the 30% Investment Tax Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to 20% in bonus credits for qualified solar or wind facilities developed in low-income communities; and 10% domestic content bonus for projects using the required amounts of U.S.-produced steel, iron and manufactured products.
- Tax-exempt organizations, including non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities, can now take advantage of the federal tax credit through “elective pay” (sometimes referred to as “direct pay.”) An overview of elective pay and Frequently Asked Questions are available from the IRS.
State and Local Incentives
For information on State and Local Clean Energy Incentives please see the Energy Resources and Tax Credits section here on the Barrington Energy Committee website.