Solar power in Maine
Maine has some room for improvement when it comes to incentivizing solar for homeowners. Although there are no statewide or utility incentives available, the state does have a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and a law in place that requires utilities to offer net metering.
Net metering combined with the 26% federal tax credit makes solar a sound investment for Maine homeowners.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Maine
Maine solar power facts
$2.62 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?7 Years 5 Months
Average payback time
$14,620
Average lifetime savings
?7¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
35¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?2,338 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 1.92kW system
This 1.92kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Maine is $38, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
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Solar companies in Maine that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Maine
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Maine
| System Size | Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,016 | $6,497 |
| 4kw | $7,903 | $8,535 |
| 5kw | $9,694 | $10,470 |
| 6kw | $11,455 | $12,372 |
| 7kw | $13,105 | $14,154 |
| 8kw | $14,741 | $15,920 |
| 9kw | $16,250 | $17,550 |
| 10kw | $17,760 | $19,181 |
How much do solar panels cost in Maine?
$2.62 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$2.88 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Maine?
The advantage of installing solar panels in Maine is the mandatory net metering law. Maine has high electricity rates, which means homeowners will save big on their utility bills, thanks to net metering.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Maine is that there is very little in the way of state and utility-based incentives. Also, Maine receives less sunshine than other states, so a solar system here will produce less than a solar system in a sunnier state, such as Arizona.
Best solar companies in Maine
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in Maine
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Maine
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Maine
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Augusta area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,318kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits, and other solar incentives are available in Maine?
Net metering in Maine
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in Maine mandates that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) generated by solar (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) utilities must provide a credit equal to the average cost rate of energy per kWh.
Maine legislatures have been battling over a net metering policy for a few years. Just recently, full net metering was brought back for solar customers.
The best time to go solar is now while state policy still mandates that each kWh is credited at the retail rate.
Renewable portfolio standard
Maine has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that establishes renewable energy goals for the state’s utilities to meet. The RPS states that by 2017 and each year after, 30% of Maine’s electricity must be derived from existing renewable generation systems and 10% of Maine’s electricity load must come from new renewable resources. Total, the state must receive 40% of its energy from renewable resources.
Maine Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Maine, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Maine using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Maine
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Maine or Augusta ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Maine solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Maine
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Maine can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
