Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

In Another ‘Clean Innovation’ Proposal, Eversource Looks To Low-Income Solar Projects

NHPR Photo

Eversource is rolling out its third energy pilot project in two weeks – this one, on solar power for low-income residents.

The utility, which is preparing to negotiate a rate hike with the Public Utilities Commission, says this proposal will be a new way for those residents to save money.

Solar arrays can deliver savings in the form of net metering – where users sell the solar power back to the grid, in exchange for lower bills.

But there's no simple mechanism to funnel those savings to low-income residents, which is the goal of a growing number of solar projects in the state.

Eversource is proposing a way for solar developers and municipalities to connect their projects to the utility’s own electric assistance customers – ratepayers who meet certain low income requirements.

The legislature recently passed a bill, with the governor's backing, that would require more low-income solar projects to be built in the state.

Annie has covered the environment, energy, climate change and the Seacoast region for NHPR since 2017. She leads the newsroom's climate reporting project, By Degrees.
Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.