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Residential Solar Incentives

Offset the cost of the electricity you buy from Eversource with energy you generate with solar

Note: If you applied to install solar before January 1, 2022, you are participating in the Net Metering Program.

Residential Renewable Energy Solutions

Through Renewable Energy Solutions, you can sell the power you generate with your residential solar installation and any renewable energy certificates (RECs) to Eversource.

How it works

To get started, you should contact a licensed solar installer in Connecticut. The installer will work with you to design your system and submit your application to Eversource. 

Incentive options

On your application, you'll be able to select from two incentive compensation options: Buy-All and Netting. Each is designed to provide a similar return on investment. You may also qualify for additional income-based incentives.

With the Buy-All Incentive, you will export all power that your system produces to the electric grid without first suppling power to your home.

residential-solar-incentive-buy-all-light

If you choose this option:

  1. We will purchase power from you at a rate approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)
  2. You'll receive compensation as either an on-bill credit to offset your monthly bill or a cash payment once per quarter. You may specify a percentage of your compensation to be split between the two options
  3. You will purchase the electricity you need to power your home directly from Eversource
  4. Any on-bill credits not used to offset your bill can be cashed out once annually
  5. Any cash payments (quarterly or annually) must go to a third party that is not the account holder

Current incentive rate

The current Buy-All Incentive rate for approved applications submitted in calendar year 2022 is $0.2943 per kWh. This rate includes the REC value. Once enrolled, your incentive rate is locked in for a 20-year term.

Meter setup

With the Buy-All Incentive, your power generation and consumption are measured using separate meters installed at your home.

With the Netting Incentive, you'll first supply power from the system to your home and only export excess power to the electric grid.

residential-solar-incentive-netting-light

If you choose this option:

  1. Power produced by your system, but not consumed within the month, is "netted" at the same rate you pay Eversource for electricity
  2. Net credits are applied to your bill in dollars and will be used to offset future customer, supply and delivery charges
  3. Any excess credits can be carried over each month and cashed out if you stop electric service
  4. Once enrolled, your compensation rate (in dollars per kilowatt hour) for net production will fluctuate with the prevailing retail rate over a 20-year term

Current incentive rate

The netting incentive rate is the current retail rate + a quarterly Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) payment of $0.0318 per kWh. This rate is set by the state and remains the same for 20 years.

What are Renewable Energy Certificates?

A REC is generated for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity that your system generates regardless of whether you use the energy or it is exported to the electric grid. 

Meter setup

With the Netting Incentive, you’ll receive a new meter that measures how much energy you consume and how much is exported to the grid. You'll also receive a second meter to measure the energy produced by your solar installation.

You may be eligible for an additional incentive if your income is at or below 60% of the state median income or if your solar installation is in an economically-distressed community. You can only receive one additional incentive.

Criteria Additional Incentive
At or below 60% state median income $.025/kWh
In an economically-distressed community $.0125/kWh

Eligibility

To be eligible for Renewable Energy Solutions, you must:

  • Be a current or future electric customer of Eversource
  • Live in a 1-4 family property
  • Not be approved for or already receiving an incentive under the Connecticut Green Bank’s Residential Solar Incentive Program
  • Be installing a system sized ≤ 25 kW

Systems with battery storage are eligible.

System size limit

Your solar installer will provide you with a system size recommendation based on your highest average annual consumption over the last 5 years.

You may request additional allowance for the standard expected kWh of up to two electric vehicles and a whole-home heat pump system, as listed here:

  • Electric vehicle (per vehicle): 3,285 kWh 
  • Whole-home air source heat pump: 3,608 kWh
  • Whole-home ground source heat pump: 2,458 kWh

Additional solar generation

If you already have solar and are installing additional generation at your home, the new system will be separately metered and receive the Buy-All Incentive.

Typical fees

Your installer will build these fees into their proposal to you.

Application fees

Cost
Distributed Generation Application Fee $200
Renewable Energy Solutions Application Fee $129

Meter fees

Your installer will help determine which meter type you need.

Voltage/Meter Type Cost
120/240v Single Phase $208
120/208v Single Phase (Network) $259

Information for Contractors and Installers

Renewable Energy Solutions Interconnections

Information for installers interconnecting residential projects in Connecticut for Renewable Energy Solutions

Get contractor information