Complete Guide to Solar Energy in Maine
Your complete resource for solar energy. Everything you need to know about solar laws, solar costs, solar financing, and solar installation in Maine.
Why Solar Makes Sense in Maine
Reliable Solar Production
Solar electric systems reliably produce electricity in Maine and have become an increasingly more affordable renewable energy option.
High Electricity Prices Increase Bill-Saving Potential
Maine’s electricity prices make every kilowatt-hour you offset more valuable. For many homeowners, solar is as much about reducing purchased power as it is about producing clean energy.
Net Energy Billing Expands Access
Maine’s Net Energy Billing program allows customers to offset electricity bills using small renewable generators. Customers may own their own system or participate in a shared project within the same utility service territory.
Community Solar Helps More Homes Participate
Not every home has the right roof, orientation, or shade profile for rooftop solar. In Maine, community solar offers another path for customers who want bill credits without installing panels at home.
Quick Solar Facts
Explore Solar Topics
Laws & Regulations
Maine net energy billing rules, utility bill-credit structures, property tax treatment for qualifying solar equipment, and current federal incentive status.
Residential Solar
A guide for Maine homeowners covering roof suitability, shading, winter production expectations, inverter choices, and battery storage planning.
Costs & Savings
How Maine electricity prices affect project value, why self-consumption matters, and how bill credits can change overall savings.
Financing Options
Cash purchase, solar loans, home equity strategies, and how to evaluate projects when Maine-specific rebates may not be available.
Installation Guide
How to choose an installer, understand permitting, prepare for utility interconnection, and set realistic expectations for production and bill credits.
Solar 101
How photovoltaic systems work, when they generate the most electricity, how orientation and shading affect output, and what to expect seasonally in Maine.
Community Solar
How Maine community solar subscriptions work, how bill credits appear on utility bills, and what to check before signing a subscription agreement.
Solar Calculator
Estimate your solar savings and system requirements.
Quick Solar Savings Calculator
Important 2026 Updates
Maine Net Energy Billing Remains Available for Small Renewable Projects
Maine continues to offer Net Energy Billing for small renewable generation projects. Residential and non-residential customers can participate either through their own project or by sharing in a project within the same utility service territory, and eligible projects must be smaller than 5 MW.
Maine Public Utilities Commission Net Energy Billing
Efficiency Maine Is Not Currently Offering Rebates for Solar Projects
Efficiency Maine states that it is not currently offering rebates for solar electric projects. For Maine homeowners, that means project economics should be evaluated based primarily on installer pricing, expected bill credits, financing terms, and site-specific production rather than a current state solar rebate.
Efficiency Maine Solar Electric
Maine Solar Laws & Regulations
Maine Net Energy Billing Rules
Maine’s Net Energy Billing program allows utility customers to offset electricity bills using the output from small renewable generators. Customers may own their own project or share in a project with other customers, and the generating facility may be located on the customer’s property or elsewhere within the same utility service territory.
Maine Public Utilities Commission Net Energy Billing
Programs for Small Solar and Community Projects
Maine currently offers two official programs for small renewable projects: Net Energy Billing (NEB) and Distributed Generation (DG). For small solar and community-style participation, the NEB kilowatt-hour credit program is available to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, while the NEB tariff rate program is available to non-residential customers.
Maine Public Utilities Commission Renewable Programs
Current Solar Property Tax Treatment
For property tax years beginning on or after April 1, 2025, Maine law provides a property tax exemption for qualifying solar energy equipment if the energy is used on-site, if the equipment is collocated with net energy billing customers subscribed to at least 50% of the facility’s output, or if the project meets the statute’s utility bill-credit and interconnection conditions. A taxpayer claiming the exemption must file a report with the assessor by April 1 of the first property tax year in which the exemption is claimed.
Maine Property Tax Statute – Solar Energy Equipment