The NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) released the new budgets for Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018). The budgets are very low for the solar rebate programs, and likely will not be able to meet the historical annual demand for rebates at the current rebate levels.

In summary:

• The Residential Solar Rebate Program Budget is $844,000
• The C&I solar rebate program budget Category I is $468,300
• The C&I solar rebate program budget Category II is $453,000
• The RFP for Grants budget is $800,000

These above new funding allocations must also serve the wait-listed projects, which total about $600,000 for the residential program alone, leaving just ~250,000 for new, future applications.

The PUC is not re-opening any of the closed rebate programs to new applications at this time.

Before the hearing on the 10th, PUC Staff will also release their recommended program changes.

NHSEA will be making comments, and we encourage members to attend the hearing or provide comments to the Commission and/or to communicate with us as well so that we can advocate for the next best steps for the industry and customers in this challenging situation.