Read the full stored bill text
HB 1718-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
19Feb2026... 0582h
05/07/2026 1791s
05/14/2026 1909s
4Jun2026... 2157EBA
2026 SESSION
26-3131
06/08
HOUSE BILL
1718-FN
AN ACT
relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.
SPONSORS: Rep. Vose, Rock. 5; Rep. Cormen, Graf. 15; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Harrington, Straf. 18; Rep. Mattson, Ches. 18; Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35; Rep. Schneller, Hills. 2; Rep. D. Thomas, Rock. 16; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4
COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy
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ANALYSIS
This bill adds rulemaking authority for the department of energy regarding customer energy storage systems, updates terminology, and authorizes the PUC to set compensation terms for energy storage exports charged solely from renewable sources.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19Feb2026... 0582h
05/07/2026 1791s
05/14/2026 1909s
4Jun2026... 2157EBA 26-3131
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Limited Electrical Energy Producers Definitions. Amend RSA 362-A:1-a, II-b to read as follows:
II-b. "Eligible customer-generator" or "customer-generator" means an electric utility customer who owns, operates, or purchases power from an electrical generating facility either powered by renewable energy or which employs a heat led combined heat and power system, with a total peak generating capacity
, or maximum nameplate rating,
of up to and including one megawatt, except as provided for a municipal host as defined in paragraph II-c, that is located behind a retail meter on the customer's premises, is interconnected and operates in parallel with the electric grid, and is used to offset the customer's own electricity requirements.
Energy storage, as defined in RSA 374-H:1, III, may be added to such a generation facility without affecting the generation facility's size determination relating to its eligibility to net meter. Such energy storage, if configured to allow electricity to be exported to the grid, shall be charged only from such generation facility, except as provided for in RSA 362-A:9, XXIV.
Incremental generation added to an existing generation facility, that does not itself qualify for net metering, shall qualify if such incremental generation meets the qualifications of this paragraph and is metered separately from the [
nonqualifying
]
non-qualifying
facility.
2 New Paragraph; Customer Energy Storage Definitions. Amend RSA 374-H:1 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
II-a. "Department" means the department of energy.
3 Customer Energy Storage Systems. Amend the introductory paragraph for RSA 374-H:2, I to read as follows:
I. The [
commission
]
department
shall adopt rules [
or approve tariffs
] clarifying policy for the installation[
,
]
and
interconnection[
, and use
] of energy storage systems by customers of utilities,
while the commission may approve tariffs and issue orders in adjudicated proceedings that are consistent with such rules and pertain to the use of and utility compensation for such energy storage systems. The department and the commission
[
and
] shall incorporate the following principles into the rules
and orders, respectively
[
or approved tariffs
]:
4 New Paragraph; Net Metering. Amend RSA 362-A:9 by inserting after paragraph XXIII the following new paragraph:
XXIV. The commission may determine terms and conditions for how a customer-generator may use and be compensated for exports to the grid from energy storage added to renewable energy generation sources in conjunction with net metering and related tariff provisions. The commission shall require such energy storage, if configured to allow electricity to be exported to the grid, to be charged only from such generation facility, unless charging is under the control of an entity other than the customer-generator or as otherwise authorized by the commission in an adjudicated proceeding.
5 Customer Energy Storage; Customer Energy Storage Systems. Amend RSA 374-H:2, II to read as follows:
II. Nothing in this section alters or supersedes either:
(a) The principles of net energy metering under RSA 362-A:9
, except to clarify that the commission has the authority to allow storage as part of the net metering
; or
(b) Any existing electrical permit requirements or any licensing or certification requirements for installers, manufacturers, or equipment.
6 Customer Energy Storage Systems; Department Safety Requirements. Amend RSA 374-H:2, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) New Hampshire's consumers of electricity have a right to install, interconnect, and use energy storage systems on their property, subject to appropriate size and safety requirements established by the [
commission
]
department
, without the burden of unnecessary restrictions or regulations and without unduly discriminatory rates or fees, provided that such storage systems conform to local zoning ordinances and building codes.
7 Limited Electrical Energy Producers Definitions. Amend RSA 362-A:1-a, II-b to read as follows:
II-b. "Eligible customer-generator" or "customer-generator" means an electric utility customer who owns, operates, or purchases power from an electrical generating facility either powered by renewable energy or which employs a heat led combined heat and power system, with a total peak generating capacity
, or maximum nameplate rating,
of up to and including one megawatt, except as provided for a municipal host as defined in paragraph II-c, that is located behind a retail meter on the customer's premises, is interconnected and operates in parallel with the electric grid, and is used to offset the customer's own electricity requirements.
Energy storage, as defined in RSA 374-H:1, III, may be added to such a generation facility without affecting the generation facility's size determination relating to its eligibility to net meter. Such energy storage, if configured to allow electricity to be exported to the grid, shall be charged only from such generation facility, except as provided for in RSA 362-A:9, XXV.
Incremental generation added to an existing generation facility, that does not itself qualify for net metering, shall qualify if such incremental generation meets the qualifications of this paragraph and is metered separately from the [
nonqualifying
]
non-qualifying
facility.
8 New Paragraph; Net Metering. Amend RSA 362-A:9 by inserting after paragraph XXIV the following new paragraph:
XXV. The commission may determine terms and conditions for how a customer-generator may use and be compensated for exports to the grid from energy storage added to renewable energy generation sources in conjunction with net metering and related tariff provisions. The commission shall require such energy storage, if configured to allow electricity to be exported to the grid, to be charged only from such generation facility, unless charging is under the control of an entity other than the customer-generator or as otherwise authorized by the commission in an adjudicated proceeding.
9 Contingency. If HB 1742 of the 2026 regular legislative session becomes law, sections 1 and 4 of this act shall not take effect and sections 7 and 8 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027. If HB 1742 of the 2026 regular legislative session does not become law, sections 1 and 4 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027 and sections 7 and 8 of this act shall not take effect.
10 Effective Date.
I. Sections 1, 4, 7, and 8 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 9 of this act.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
LBA
26-3131
5/18/26
HB 1718-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1909s)
AN ACT
relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Revenue Fund(s)
None
Expenditures*
$0
Indeterminable Increase
$64,000
(Utility Assessments)
Indeterminable Increase $131,000+ (Utility Assessments)
Indeterminable Increase $137,000+ (Utility Assessments)
Indeterminable Increase (State's utility costs)
Indeterminable Increase (State's utility costs)
Indeterminable Increase (State's utility costs)
Funding Source(s)
Utility Assessments under RSA 363-A:1, General Fund, Highway Fund, and Various Agency Funds
Appropriations*
$0
$0
$0
$0
Funding Source(s)
None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
FY 2029
County Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
County Expenditures
$0
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
Local Revenue
$0
$0
$0
$0
Local Expenditures
$0
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
Indeterminable Increase
METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes energy storage to be added to net-metered renewable generation systems without affecting eligibility size limits, provided the storage system is charged solely from the renewable generation facility when exporting electricity to the grid unless otherwise authorized by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The bill also authorizes the PUC to determine the terms and conditions under which customer-generators may use and be compensated for exports to the grid from energy storage connected to renewable energy generation sources in conjunction with net metering and related tariff provisions. In addition, the bill clarifies statutory provisions related to customer energy storage systems.
The Department of Energy states this bill updates the definition of eligible customer generator to allow energy storage to be added to and charged solely from a renewable generation facility without affecting the one megawatt size limit. The Department indicates these changes align with its current administrative responsibilities and that reviewing net metering applications under the updated criteria would not require additional staff or resources. Additionally, the Department states it is not possible to determine the fiscal impact on electricity costs, net metering compensation, or Class II renewable energy certificate obligations, and notes that costs could increase or decrease depending on system configuration. Because the State accounts for approximately 1% of total electricity purchases, an electric rate increase of $0.001 per kilowatt hour would result in an estimated State cost increase of about $77,000 per year.
The Public Utilities Commission states this bill would require rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings to establish terms and conditions for compensation of exports from storage systems charged solely from renewable energy. The Commission indicates it currently employs and is authorized to employ one full-time classified utility analyst, who is working at or near the position’s maximum utilization rate. Accordingly, the Commission anticipates needing one additional Miscellaneous Business Operations Specialist (13-1190 MISC BUS OPS SPECS-5 SOC11-06) beginning January 1, 2027 to assist the Commission with analyzing, establishing, and administering alternative net metering utility tariffs for energy storage systems.
The Commission estimates annual expenditures of $64,000 in FY 2027 (part year), $131,000 in FY 2028, and $137,000 in FY 2029, funded through the Utility Assessment under RSA 363-A:1.
To the extent utility assessments increase county and local utility expenditures could also see an increase.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy and Public Utilites Commission