Above: Dawn on Pack Monadnock on Sun Day, Sept. 21, 2025.
Third Act’s immediate action is to “crowd source” information about local town solar rules, all across the country. They’re inviting each one of us to find out what our own town’s solar rules are, and send them in to Third Act. Please see Third Act’s Simplify Solar – Third Act site for a short but clear description of this project, and for links to training sessions in mid-October. We need your help with this crowd-sourcing project! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out locally to newhampshire@thirdact.org.
Why do this? While solar power is the most economical form of electricity generation in the US, it is even more economical elsewhere in the world. Australia has one of the highest proportions of rooftop solar largely because installation costs one third of a US installation ($1 per watt vs. $3 per watt). Wow! Why is that? In part it is having a uniform regulatory structure across Australia with solar permits being quick.
Third Act and partners have identified ways to reduce some administrative burdens that US installers encounter, and which increase consumer costs. A big source of delay and cost locally: Installers must conform with the zoning, permitting, and inspection procedures established at the town level. Our small state has over 200 towns with wide variations in how solar installation is treated and their rules are often opaque. Across the US significant administrative effort, taking a month, is often required for permitting.
However, it need not be that way: A new Texas law requires permits to be issued in two days! Similar change is possible in New Hampshire, but unlikely at the state-wide level due to political realities. However, consider the town-wide level…
Working for change at the town level, where grassroots democracy is part of our tradition, will be a way forward. It may be tedious, but help is available from a Third Act partner and locally from Clean Energy NH. Meaningful change in NH can happen with the involvement of a broad swath of Third Act NH members and our allies. Connect with us by emailing newhampshire@thirdact.org, or come to a Coffee Chat, to get started.
Below: Third Actors and Actresses greet the sun on Pack Monadnock on Sun Day, Sept. 21, 2025.
