New HampshireLaw allows storage payment terms for renewable electricity starting in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, New Hampshire’s law lets utility regulators set payments for customers sending stored renewable electricity to the grid, with charging limits and exceptions.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, New Hampshire utility regulators may set payments for electricity sent from renewable generators’ storage to the grid. Storage that can export must charge from its attached generator, with exceptions.
Starting January 1, 2027, attached storage does not count toward an eligible generator’s size limit for net metering. The generator must still meet the program’s requirements.
Starting January 1, 2027, the New Hampshire Department of Energy must set storage installation and grid-connection rules. The Public Utilities Commission may handle storage use and utility payments.
Argument forPayment terms could give customers a way to earn money by sending stored renewable electricity to the grid.
Argument againstUnless an exception applies, the charging rule could keep customers from storing grid electricity in systems that can also send electricity back.
More detail
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission may set terms for using energy storage and paying customers for electricity it sends to the grid. This covers storage attached to renewable generators under net metering, a system for crediting customers for electricity sent to the grid. Storage that can send electricity to the grid must charge only from the attached renewable generator. Exceptions apply when someone other than the customer controls charging or the commission approves another arrangement through a formal case. Whether HB 1742 becomes law determines which matching version takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Customers may attach energy storage without counting it toward their generator’s size limit for net metering. Covered generators use renewable energy or produce heat and electricity based on heating needs. The size limit is up to and including one megawatt, with an exception for municipal hosts. The generator must sit behind the customer’s retail meter, operate alongside the grid, and offset the customer’s own electricity needs. Storage that can send electricity to the grid must charge from the attached generator, except when someone else controls charging or the commission approves another arrangement. Both alternative versions take effect January 1, 2027, depending on whether HB 1742 becomes law.
The New Hampshire Department of Energy must make rules for customers installing energy storage and connecting it to the grid. These responsibilities cover energy storage systems used by utility customers. The Public Utilities Commission may approve utility pricing plans and issue orders about storage use and payments that follow the department’s rules. Storage must meet department size and safety requirements, local zoning rules, and building codes. Existing permit, licensing, and certification requirements still apply. These agency responsibilities take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 16Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 309; eff. I. Secs 1.4.7.8 eff prov sec 9 II. Rem eff 1/1/2027Became Law
- Jul 1Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56To Governor
- Jun 30Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15Minor
- Jun 17Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 47
- Jun 17Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2157e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- May 21House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1909s and 2026-1791s (Reps. Vose, Weyler): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
- May 14Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12Passed Senate
- May 14Committee Amendment # 2026-1909s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 12Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1909s, 05/14/2026, Vote 7-0; SC 18AMinor
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1791s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Minor
- May 7Sen. Watters Floor Amendment # 2026-1791s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1714s, AF, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- May 7HB 1718 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 29Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1714s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17Minor
- Apr 1Hearing: 04/09/2026, Room 103, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 13
- Mar 30Introduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 26Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 3Passed House
- Mar 18Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC)Minor
- Mar 13Executive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Feb 24Division I Work Session: 03/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Feb 19Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102Minor
- Feb 19Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0582h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
- Feb 19Amendment # 2026-0582h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 102
- Feb 11Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0582h 02/09/2026 (Vote 17-0; RC) HC 7 P. 38Minor
- Feb 5Executive Session: 02/09/2026 11:00 am GP 229
- Jan 23Public Hearing: 01/29/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
- Jan 21==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 01/27/2026 03:00 pm GP 229
- Jan 21==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
- 2025
- Dec 12Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 1 P. 32Introduced
Environment & Energy