New Hampshire town commits to 100% renewable energy

May 12, 2017
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Hanover represents the first municipality in the country to have a goal of 100% renewable energy voted for by its residents. Source: Flickr/Doug Kerr

Hanover, New Hampshire, is the 29th US city to commit to a goal of procuring 100% of its energy from renewable sources.

Pledging to run on 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and adding in renewable heat and transportation by 2050, this latest commitment is indicative of a trend towards a low-carbon future for the US, which is here to stay.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Hanover is the first town in New Hampshire to establish such a goal. The state is coming along in its solar installations, with 53.7MW of capacity installed to date. In addition, in 2014 Hanover was named the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first ‘Green Power Community’ in the state. Hanover currently uses 22% renewable electricity.

“I am overjoyed that the town meeting voted unanimously to support a goal of 100% renewable energy,” said Hanover town manager Julia Griffin. “We look forward to working with Sierra Club and Sustainable Hanover to achieve this goal.”

Unlike the other 28 US cities and towns that have committed to 100% clean energy, Hanover represents the first municipality in the country to have a goal of 100% renewable energy voted on and approved by the residents of that community, according to the Sierra Club.

“I am so proud to be a resident of Hanover​ – the first town in New Hampshire to make a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy and the first municipality in the country to have done it by a vote of its citizenry,” said Judith Colla, a member of the Sierra Club Upper Valley’s executive committee. “I look forward to supporting next steps here in Hanover and helping to spread this campaign to our neighbours throughout the Upper Valley.”

Southampton in New York was the 28th US city to make the same mandate, and follows Atlanta, St. Petersburg, LA and Portland

Read Next

Premium
March 13, 2026
PV Talk: According to kWh Analytics' Jason Kaminsky, 'there’s more capital available for risk and risk exposure' in the present investment environment.
March 13, 2026
US-based tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has signed a 1GW solar tracker supply agreement with solar and storage developer Strata Clean Energy.
March 13, 2026
Impacted by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", a Chinese PV company with a US factory has opted to exit the local market by selling its US subsidiary.
Premium
March 12, 2026
PV Talk: 'The US is entering a pivotal moment for domestic solar manufacturing,' Swift Solar CEO Joel Jean told PV Tech Premium this week.
March 12, 2026
Primergy, launched by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, has secured a US$760 million refinancing for its Gemini Solar and Storage Project in Clark County, Nevada.
March 12, 2026
Perovskite-silicon tandem cell manufacturer Swift Solar has acquired manufacturing assets formerly belonging to Meyer Burger.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain