
- Energy Coaches
- Heating and Cooling
- The Plan
- About PREP
- …
- Energy Coaches
- Heating and Cooling
- The Plan
- About PREP
PETERBOROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
PREP - Leading Peterborough to a 100% Renewable Energy Future
- Energy Coaches
- Heating and Cooling
- The Plan
- About PREP
- …
- Energy Coaches
- Heating and Cooling
- The Plan
- About PREP
Funding Your Projects
In the long run, increased efficiency and renewable energy sources will save you money. However, there are up-front costs for these projects that can prevent your plans from becoming reality. The good news is that, even after the repeal of many tax credits and rebates provided under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, there are several sources of financial support for your energy projects, although they have conditions that must be met. The presentation from the PREP workshop on financial incentives in April 2026 quickly runs through the options available or anticipated then. More information appears below.
- The Monadnock Sustainability Hub's Electrify Monadnock Fund launched at the end of May 2026 and provides up to $7000 toward a variety of energy projects undertaken by residents of the Monadnock region. Visit the Hub's Electrify Monadnock Fund webpage for details and to get started.
- One residential tax credit remaining from the Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $1000 for an electric vehicle charger installed in your home by June 30, 2026.
- Residents of single-family detached homes in Peterborough (and Harrisville) can take advantage of HeatSmart+ but must do so soon since the funds provided by the grant that created this program have nearly been distributed. Visit the HeatSmart+ webpage for details and to get started.
- While the tax credits have mostly expired, the federal rebate programs administered by the State of New Hampshire were not canceled and are slated to launch in 2026. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program will provide rebates for various energy upgrades, including as much as $8000 for heat pumps to heat and cool your home. You must wait for the program to launch before embarking on your project. Funding is not available retroactively. Check the NH Department of Energy site for other funding opportunities for homeowners.
- Rebates and other money-saving programs offered by NHSaves are available now. If your income is no more than the state median for your household size, then you should qualify for a program that provides an energy audit and up to $15,000 for weatherization of your home, such as insulation and air sealing. Look for details at NHSaves under the heading "Increased Benefits for Income Qualifying Eversource Customers" and get started by going to the Income Verification Portal linked there. Whatever your income, qualifying homes (meaning ones that are poorly weatherized) can earn up to $6000 in rebates for an energy audit, insulation, air sealing, and other forms of weatherization.
- Talk to your bank or credit union to see if they offer discounted loan rates for energy efficiency work on your home or for buying new or used electric vehicles.
Support for Homeowners
Energy Efficiency Incentives: NHSaves has a free Online Tool to see if your home qualifies for a reduced cost energy audit.
Energy Star Rebates: NHSaves have some quick tips to help you get started making your appliances more efficient and replacing old appliances with more energy efficient ones. NHSaves also has rebates for many of them.
Support for Small Businesses
Assistance with Energy Audits: The first step for businesses is to arrange for a Level 2 energy audit with the assistance of a grant from the NH Community Development Finance Authority. The CDFA’s energy audit fund originates with the US Department of Agriculture, which requires that the business be in a rural area to qualify for a grant, but that includes the entire Monadnock region. The detailed Level 2 audit helps identify the best opportunities for improvement and provides data that is needed for some of the grant and loan requests described below. Scott Maslansky, Director of Clean Energy Finance at CDFA, can help get you started on an energy audit.
Assistance with Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects: The typical components of an energy conservation and cost stabilization project are weatherization (including additional insulation and energy-efficient doors and windows), replacement of inefficient lighting and other equipment, installation of efficient heating such as heat pumps, and installation of a solar array. Once you’ve decided what your project will include, the CDFA and your energy auditor can help locate contractors to do the work. The contractors, in turn, may be able to help with applying for the grants and loans to finance the project. The US Small Business Administration, through their Small Business Development Center in Concord, can also provide assistance and advice. Andrea O’Brien, Director of SBDC’s Business Sustainability Program, is a great contact for these types of projects. The USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide a combination of grants and loans amounting to up to 75% of eligible project costs covering all of the types of work mentioned above. CDFA offers low-interest clean energy loans for businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities. NHSaves has rebate programs for which businesses are eligible, and even the Public Utilities Commission has rebates and competitive grant programs for commercial and industrial utility customers. Peterborough has contracted with BlocPower to manage renewable energy conversion projects. They can help you assess your needs, obtain financial support, and manage the project to completion.
Tax Credits: Contractors who build new energy-efficient homes or renovate existing homes to make them more energy-efficient may qualify for federal tax credits.
Accelerated Depreciation: There are approaches to depreciating business property and business vehicles that may reduce your federal taxes.
Support for Renters
Energy Star Rebates:
NHSaves has some quick tips to help you get started making your appliances more efficient and replacing old appliances with more energy efficient ones. NHSaves also has rebates for many of them.
Support for Acquiring a Clean Powered Car for Personal or Commercial Use
Tax Credits: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the federal government provides a range of tax credits for putting a clean powered vehicle into service. This includes options and requirements for purchasing or leasing a new vehicle as well as purchasing a used vehicle.
Copyright Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning 2021-2026
