Juliana Rowland

Oppose HB 1002 – Preserve Local Choice on Solar Tax Policy I am writing to urge you to oppose House Bill 1002, which would repeal New Hampshire’s long-standing law allowing towns and cities to exempt residential solar energy systems from local property taxes. Residential and business solar installations have helped families and small businesses manage long-term energy costs, invest locally, and reduce exposure to unpredictable energy prices. These projects support local installers and trades, keep energy dollars in our state, and contribute to a more diverse and resilient energy system. The current solar property tax exemption is a local option, not a mandate. Many communities adopted it through a vote at town meeting under RSA 72:27. HB 1002 would remove that choice and negate decisions already made by voters who approved the exemption in good faith under existing state law. I am a resident of Hollis and a three-year member of the Hillsborough Area Renewable Energy Initiative (HAREI), helping homeowners and nonprofits install their own solar energy systems. I hosted my own “Solar Raiser” in August that resulted in the installation of 18 solar panels on my garage roof. That decision was made based on New Hampshire’s existing solar policies, as well as my desire to reduce my own household energy use. Even in its first few months, the system has reduced my home’s electricity use from Eversource and, at times, sends excess power back onto the local grid — benefiting neighbors and the utility with locally produced energy. While the property tax exemption may seem modest for some, for certain households the change could amount to hundreds of dollars per year, making it a meaningful factor in the decision to invest. Repealing it introduces uncertainty and discourages the kind of community-scale investments that benefit towns and the state. As a member of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee, your role in shaping energy policy is critical. I respectfully ask you to consider the broader implications of HB 1002 on local renewable energy adoption and community choice, and to preserve New Hampshire’s tradition of local decision-making. Towns and their residents should retain the authority to decide whether this exemption aligns with their community’s priorities.