Connecticut Solar Calculator 2026
Connecticut replaced net metering with the RRES program in 2022 — and new 2026 enrollees face a significant Solar Energy Adjustment charge. Here's what you need to know before getting quotes.
DISCLAIMER: All estimates are approximations based on regional averages. Actual savings vary by location, roof orientation, utility provider, and installer. This calculator does not guarantee specific savings.
Federal 30% Solar Tax Credit Expired December 31, 2025
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and is not available for any solar system installed in 2026 or later. Many contractor quotes, online calculators, and comparison tools still show this credit — if any estimate you receive includes a 30% federal credit or cites an expiration date of 2032 or 2034, that figure is outdated. Verify explicitly that quotes for 2026 installs do not include this credit.
Connecticut's RRES Program — No Traditional Net Metering
Since 2022, Connecticut does not offer traditional net metering. New solar customers instead enroll in the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) program, administered by Eversource Energy and United Illuminating (UI) under identical PURA-set rules. At enrollment, you choose one of two 20-year tariffs that locks in for the life of the contract.
Netting Tariff
- Excess generation credited against your usage at the applicable retail rate
- Monthly credit rollover — unused credits never expire while account is active
- Credits cash out only when you close your account
- Structurally similar to legacy net metering
Buy-All Tariff
- Utility buys 100% of your solar production at a fixed rate
- 2026 enrollees: fixed buy-back rate of $0.3289/kWh
- You buy all your home usage separately at full retail rates
- Rate and structure depend on enrollment year — verify with Eversource or UI
Both tariffs run for 20 years from enrollment. The right choice depends on your household's self-consumption patterns and whether the Buy-All rate exceeds what you'd save under the Netting Tariff. Confirm current rates directly with Eversource or United Illuminating .
2026 Solar Energy Adjustment: $0.0402/kWh on All Production
New RRES enrollees in 2026 are subject to a Solar Energy Adjustment charge of $0.0402/kWh applied to all solar production — not just exported power. This charge is billed off your production meter, meaning it applies even to electricity you consume instantly in your home or store in a battery.
On a typical ~11kW system producing about 13,000 kWh/year, that works out to roughly $520+ per year in adjustment charges — a meaningful ongoing cost that many online calculators and installer quotes do not reflect.
Grandfathering: customers who enrolled in RRES before this rate increase pay the earlier rate of $0.005/kWh through December 31, 2039 — roughly one-eighth of the 2026 rate. If you enrolled early, confirm your grandfathered rate with your utility. If you're installing in 2026, make sure any payback estimate you receive explicitly accounts for $0.0402/kWh.
Rates are set by PURA and can change in future dockets. Verify the current charge directly with Eversource or UI at enrollment.
Connecticut Solar Tax Incentives
Connecticut has no state income tax credit for solar. However, it offers two permanent, meaningful exemptions:
100% Sales Tax Exemption
Solar equipment is fully exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% state sales tax. On a $25,000 system, that's roughly $1,587 in upfront savings.
Claim at purchase using Form CERT-140. Your installer should provide or handle this — confirm before signing a contract.
Permanent Property Tax Exemption
The added home value from a solar installation is permanently excluded from property tax assessment — indefinitely, with no expiration date.
Depending on system size and your town's mill rate, this typically saves an estimated $250–$750/year. Your actual savings will vary — check with your local assessor for a precise figure.
Federal tax credit: The 30% Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. It is not available for systems installed in 2026 or later. Do not include it in your payback calculations.
Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) Battery Incentive
Connecticut's ESS program is one of the most generous battery incentive structures in the country — and standalone batteries without solar panels are eligible too. The program is administered by Eversource and UI under PURA oversight.
Standard rate per kWh of battery capacity at enrollment
For customers in Grid-Edge or high-value grid locations
Paid twice yearly for up to 10 years based on grid dispatch performance
Enhanced Performance Incentive Rates
- Standard customers: $300/kW — paid twice yearly for up to 10 years
- Underserved-community customers: $450/kW
- Low-income customers: $550/kW
Performance incentives are paid based on energy discharged to the grid during dispatch events — higher dispatch performance means higher payouts.
Batteries installed alongside solar or as standalone systems also qualify for the same sales tax and property tax exemptions as solar panels. Confirm current ESS program enrollment availability and rates directly with Eversource or United Illuminating , as program availability and incentive levels are subject to change by PURA.
Connecticut Electricity Rates & Solar Production Context
Electricity Rates: Among the Highest in the Nation
Connecticut residential electricity rates are roughly 27–30 cents/kWh, depending on the month and supply market conditions — approximately 45–50% above the national average. Rates fluctuate seasonally, so use this as a range rather than a fixed number.
High electricity rates significantly improve solar payback economics: every kWh your system generates and you consume yourself avoids buying power at that high retail price. Despite the Solar Energy Adjustment charge, Connecticut's rate environment still makes solar more financially attractive than in lower-cost states.
Peak Sun Hours: Plan for ~4 Hours/Day
Connecticut averages roughly 4 peak sun hours per day — meaningfully less than sunnier states like Florida (~5.5) or Arizona (~6.5). This means system sizing and production estimates need to reflect Connecticut's actual climate.
Production estimates based on sunnier regions won't apply here. Work with a local installer who uses actual Connecticut irradiance data, and ask for a month-by-month production estimate rather than an annual average.
Estimate Your Connecticut Solar Savings
The calculator below provides a general estimate. For Connecticut-specific accuracy, ensure any quote you receive accounts for the $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment charge, your chosen RRES tariff (Netting vs. Buy-All), and the absence of the federal 30% tax credit for 2026 installs.
Estimate Your Solar Savings
Find out how much you can save based on your location and current energy usage.
Connecticut Solar Resources
DISCLAIMER: All estimates are approximations based on regional averages. Actual savings vary by location, roof orientation, utility provider, and installer. This calculator does not guarantee specific savings.