The Town of Salem, NH took a significant step forward in energy management announcing its first Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program designed to benefit residents and small businesses. In partnership with Freedom Energy, Salem entered into an agreement with First Point Power to secure a competitive CCA contract. Starting this month, November 2025, Salem residents previously on default service have access to the town’s new CCA rate of $0.11180 per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is notably lower than Liberty’s recently announced winter default rate of $0.124 per kWh. 

This rate difference translates into substantial savings, with the community expected to save nearly $825,000 over the initial three months of the program. The CCA initiative not only offers financial relief but also positions Salem as a leader in affordability and energy choice. Town Manager Joe Devine expressed pride in the program, emphasizing its role in delivering real cost savings and enhancing the town’s reputation for transparency and forward-thinking energy solutions. 

The rollout of the program included informational notices sent to Salem residents beginning in mid-September. Residents had 30 days to opt out of the new CCA program if they choose to; otherwise, they were automatically enrolled and switched from Liberty’s default service. Importantly, those already using a third-party electricity supplier remain unaffected, and aggregation customers will still be serviced and billed by Liberty for delivery and metering, ensuring continuity and simplicity. 

To further assist the public in making informed decisions, Freedom Energy and the Town hosted an informational session on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Additional resources and updates were available on the town’s website, the Salem CCA website, and at various public buildings throughout Salem. This collaborative effort marks a milestone for Salem, setting a precedent for energy programs across New Hampshire and reinforcing the town’s commitment to resilience and innovation. To learn more about Salem, NH’s CCA, read the full press release and visit Salem CCA page to learn more.

Find out more about how Community Choice Aggregation can benefit your community. 

Freedom Energy Logistics administers more than 100,000,000 kWh of Virtual Net Metering across Eversource, Unitil, and Liberty utility territories. Solar and hydro assets sell their power to the local utility, and account owners can be paid for supporting the continuation of this sale. Here is an article Ryan Smith wrote in our September newsletter regarding the availability of these programs.

We have partnered with Revision Energy and Continental Paving to offer political subdivisions in the Unitil territory a turnkey asset in annual revenue generation.

For years, municipalities have been asked for 20 years of commitment for solar offtake opportunities. Who has certainty what their energy usage will look like in 2045? This project asks for only five years of commitment, granting communities flexibility to reap the benefits of group net metering credits without prohibiting future ventures in self-generated power.

Email our Renewable Program Specialist Ryan Smith for additional information or to set up an introductory meeting at rsmith@felpower.com.

Freedom Energy, as New Hampshire’s solar and hydro Net Metering Administrator, manages offtake for over 230 municipal clients statewide. Clients include school districts, state agencies, counties, educational institutions, and cities such as Nashua, Dover, Londonderry, Exeter, and Salem. 

What is Virtual Net Metering?

Virtual Net Metering (VNM) is an innovative approach that allows multiple stakeholders to share the benefits of a single renewable energy installation, such as a solar array or hydroelectric facility, without the need for direct physical connection to the system. The electricity produced by the installation is supplied to the grid, and each participant receives credits on their utility bill that correspond to their portion of the generated power. 

VNM increases access to renewable energy for individuals and organizations that may not have the means or resources for their own installations. By broadening participation, VNM encourages the adoption of clean energy and provides financial advantages to its users. 

Benefits of Participating in VNM 

• No requirement for personal installation or upfront investment. 
• Monthly utility bill credits are based on the amount of energy produced by the shared system. 
• Participation supports local employment and helps reduce the community’s carbon footprint. 
• Promotes the use of clean energy and contributes to lower emissions. 

Beyond these direct benefits, Virtual Net Metering also strengthens community engagement and collaboration. Stakeholders work together toward mutual sustainability objectives, fostering a sense of shared purpose. This collaborative model assists municipalities and organizations in reaching their renewable energy goals more effectively, as collective resources are utilized to achieve a greater environmental impact. 

By removing many of the common barriers to renewable energy participation and simplifying the process, VNM enables a wider range of individuals and groups to contribute actively to New Hampshire’s clean energy transition. Ultimately, this supports statewide initiatives for economic growth and responsible environmental stewardship. 

Contact Freedom to find out more about opportunities for your community.  Stop by our booth #419 at the NHMA conference to learn more.