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NH Solar Shares
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We share the sun’s energy with our low-income neighbors by building community funded solar arrays.

We operate NH Solar Shares, in partnership with the NH Electric Cooperative, a program that installs and operates community solar to share solar energy with low-income families while increasing the portion of clean renewable energy on our grid. This program contributes to building healthier, more sustainable communities. 

NH Solar Shares has installed three PV arrays totaling 91.3 kW that produced over 88,000 kWh of clean energy in 2025. This amount of solar generated electricity is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by over 59 metric tons per year annually (based on a typical power resource mix of today’s NH Electric Co-op generation).

History

In 2017, the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) rolled out a new program called NH Solar Shares, in partnership with the NH Electric Cooperative (NHEC) and several local businesses and non-profit organizations, with the goal of providing low-income members of our community with access to solar energy. Through this program, three community solar photovoltaic arrays were built on donated space: in Plymouth by the Common Man, in Warren at AppleKnockers General Store, and in Center Harbor at the Lakes Region Conservation Trust.  

The Solar Shares model is the first of its kind in New Hampshire – a community solar PV installation with 100% of the power going to families who receive a credit marked “Solar Shares” on their electric bill. Since inception, we have provided nearly $47,000 in electric bill solar credits for local, low-income families.

In 2026, we hope to expand our program by increasing the number of panels on the Plymouth site. Throughout the years, our goals remain the same: 
 
  • Help low-income families benefit from the cost savings and environmental benefits of solar energy. 
  • Increase the portion of clean renewable energy on our grid 
  • Contribute to healthier communities, both environmentally and economically 
  • Address the issue of equitable access to clean energy in our region 
We believe that generating more clean renewable power locally and educating our community both strengths our energy independence and plays an important role in developing more sustainable communities.  

Community Arrays

The Common Man

231 Main St., Plymouth

Install Year: 2018

kW: 26.1

System: 90 – 320w solar panels on three ground mounts and two roof mounts

Appleknockers

230 NH-25, Warren

Install Year: 2019

kW: 27.6

System: 85 – 325w solar panels on roof mount

Lakes Region Conservation Trust

156 Dane Rd., Center Harbor

Install Year: 2024

kW: 30.8

System: 72 – 485w solar panels on two ground mounts

Timeline

Nov. 2016
Ideation
Idea Takes Shape

PAREI voted to take on the development of NH Solar Shares and bring it from concept to reality. PAREI created NH Solar Shares LLC as a subsidiary that operates under PAREI’s 501 C-3 tax exempt status. The idea that originated from conversations with the NH Electric Cooperative, solar activists and social service representatives was to

1) deploy more solar in our region,

2) help our climate and our grid by strengthening our energy diversification with more clean energy

3) give low-income families the opportunity to feel the pride of offsetting some of their electricity usage with solar energy and experience some relief from their monthly utility expenses

June 2017
Idea Launched
NH Solar Shares Launches

PAREI publicly launched NH Solar Shares in partnership with the NH Electric Cooperative and other local partners with the goal to build three community PV arrays that benefit low-income electricity customers in the Plymouth area. 

Spring 2018
First Grant Received
NH Public Utilities Commission Grant Received

NH Solar Shares was one of the first entities to receive a grant from then NHPUC to implement one of the state’s first (if not the first) Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Community Solar PV Projects where low-income electricity customers received a solar credit on their electric bill. 

Oct. 2018
Plymouth Install Complete
First Site Installed

NH Solar Shares completed the inaugural 28kW Low to Moderate Income community PV array and solar picnic area in Plymouth, NH on space donated by the Common Man Family of Restaurants. 

Nov. 2019
Warren Site Online
Second Site Installed

Solar Shares completed a second 28kW Low Moderate Income community PV array on donated roof space at the AppleKnockers General Store in Warren, NH.  

2022
Award Recipient
Dept. Energy Award Recipient

NH Solar Shares was awarded the “Sunny Award” from the U.S. Department of Energy and NREL. Solar Shares’ also received recognition for AppleKnockers project in Warren, NH was chosen as a case study by Groundswell – a national non-profit dedicated to building community power and elevating new ideas – to be included in the LIFT toolkit and a webinar, “Energy Futures 2023: Nonprofit Best Practices for Equitable Community Solar.” 

Nov. 2023
Center Harbor Site Online
Lakes Region Conservation Trust Install

Solar Shares completed a third installation - 34.9 kW Low Moderate Income community PV array at Lakes Region Conservation Trust in Center Harbor. 

2025
Progress
2023 - 2025 Data

Over the last three years from 2023 - 2025, NH Solar Shares’ community solar PV arrays have generated $26,935 in solar energy bill credits for 31 low income NHEC members living in the Plymouth/ Warren/Center Harbor areas. 

2026
2026 Plans
Future Plans

Solar Shares is working to expand the Plymouth community PV array at the Common Man in Plymouth, to increase the size by 8.9 kW in order to increase the number of Low to Moderate Income families receiving electric bill credits. 

Solar Shares Details

Solar Shares uses the NH Fuel Assistance and Electrical Assistance (EAP) Income Guideline which is 60% of the state’s median income. NH Solar Shares is open to individuals and families who:
  1. Have a NH Electric Co-op (NHEC) account
  2. Are receiving NH Fuel Assistance or Electrical Assistance (EAP) or living in low-income housing, including recently built Habitat for Humanity homes.
  3. Live in Plymouth, Campton, Warren, Wentworth, Rumney, Center Harbor, Holderness, Sandwich, or Moultonborough
Program Notes:
  1. Program participation lasts for two years.
  2. There is no fee, ever, to participate.
  3. NH Solar Shares has a limited number of slots. Applications are accepted year-round and your information will remain confidential.
To sign up, please fill out an application and sign the NH Electric Co-op authorization located on the application.
  • If you receive EAP, we can verify that through NHEC once the application is complete.
  • If you receive Fuel Assistance, or live in low-income housing, you will need to provide a copy of your acceptance letter
If you are interested in becoming a Solar Shares participant: Please click on the Download Application button. You can also call (603) 536-5030 ext. 105 or email nhsolarshares@plymouthenergy.org to request an application.
Applications can be emailed to nhsolarshares@plymouthenergy.org or mailed to: PAREI, PO Box 753, Plymouth, NH 03264.
NH Solar Shares is a community solar PV installation with 100% of the proceeds going to our participants, who each receive:
  • A credit of $23-$32 every month on their electric bills depending on the solar generation.
  • An energy education program, through which we share new ways to reduce home energy use.
  • A quarterly newsletter with energy saving tips and other energy-related information
  • Invitations to participate in Solar Shares Meet-Ups and other PAREI events. With a goal of community-building, the Solar Shares Meet-Ups are fun, casual events where participants, along with PAREI staff and volunteers, do site work at the arrays, including garden maintenance, and learn about renewable energy and energy saving tips, with the goal of further reducing utility bills.
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