Is solar worth it in Maine?
For a typical Maine home in 2026, solar is worth it: about a 9-year payback and $49,322 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 9 yrs4.8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 29.3¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,303kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- RetailFull retail net metering
The numbers for a typical Maine home
| Electricity use | 523 kWh a month (Maine average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 4.8 kW, producing 6,254 kWh a year (100% of use) |
| Price | $17,180 at about $3.35/W |
| First-year savings | $1,751 |
| Payback | 9.0 years |
| 25-year net | $49,322 (11.9% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 4.0% a year, from Maine's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is expensive: 29.3¢ per kWh over the last 12 months, 63% above the U.S. average (18.0¢).
- Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
- A typical system here produces about 1,303 kWh per kW per year (ranked #38 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Maine
Full retail net metering. Homeowners with rooftop solar in Maine get kWh-for-kWh net energy billing (NEB): each exported kWh offsets a kWh you buy later. Credits roll month to month but expire after 12 months. The 2025 reform law (LD 1777) targeted commercial/community NEB and did not change behind-the-meter rooftop terms.
kWh credit program: exported kWh offset future kWh consumption at full volumetric retail (supply + delivery).
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: kWh credits carry forward up to 12 months, then expire with no payment.
- System size limit: 5000 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard customer charge (CMP ~$22/month; Versant varies). LD 1777 adds a 'monthly NEB project charge' from 2026 for certain kWh-program participants - reportedly not rooftop residential, but verify.
- Last major change: LD 1777 (P.L. 2025 ch. 430, June 2025): cut-off date Dec 31, 2025 for new NEB entrants and ~20% compensation cut for existing C&I/community projects; behind-the-meter rooftop solar exempted.
- Pending: Successor program design for distributed generation after NEB closure; monitor PUC proceedings.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Power (CMP) | ~100% of retail | kWh credit NEB for on-site residential; 12-month credit expiry. |
| Versant Power | ~100% of retail | Same NEB kWh credit rules. |
Solar incentives in Maine
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| No state solar tax credit or rebate | other | Maine has no state income tax credit, sales tax exemption, or general rebate for residential solar. Efficiency Maine runs heat pump/battery-related programs; check for any battery pilot. Eligibility: n/a | unknown |
| Property tax exemption (solar) | property tax exemption | Solar/wind energy equipment exempt from property tax (36 MRSA 655(1)(U)/656 as amended 2019) - verify applicability to residential. Eligibility: Renewable energy equipment | unknown |
What solar costs in Maine
A fair cash price is around $3.35 per watt before incentives. For the 4.8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $13,700 to $19,300; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 18,997
- Share of homes
- 2.5%
- Residential solar capacity
- 176 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +23.8%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Maine
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Power | 584,462 | 29.4¢ | 535 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Versant Power | 137,839 | 32.1¢ | 493 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative | 10,808 | 20.5¢ | 520 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Kennebunk Light & Power Dist | 6,723 | 14.2¢ | 764 kWh/mo | Close call |
Solar by city in Maine
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. No state general contractor license; electrical work requires a Maine electrician license (Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation). Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Limited: Maine law allows solar easements and (2021) restricts some municipal/HOA prohibitions; strength of HOA protection uncertain - verify.
- Community solar. Yes historically (NEB community solar), but closed to new projects after Dec 31, 2025; existing projects still enroll subscribers.
Questions about solar in Maine
Is solar worth it in Maine in 2026?
For a typical Maine home, solar is worth it. A 4.8 kW system costing about $17,180 after state incentives saves about $1,751 in the first year and pays back in about 9 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Maine?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.35 per watt before incentives, or roughly $13,700 to $19,300 for a 4.8 kW system.
Does Maine have net metering?
Homeowners with rooftop solar in Maine get kWh-for-kWh net energy billing (NEB): each exported kWh offsets a kWh you buy later. Credits roll month to month but expire after 12 months. The 2025 reform law (LD 1777) targeted commercial/community NEB and did not change behind-the-meter rooftop terms.
Is there a solar tax credit in Maine?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Maine does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Maine?
No state general contractor license; electrical work requires a Maine electrician license (Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation).. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSQuery/SearchIndividual.aspx.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include foleyhoag.com, bangordailynews.com, maine.gov. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.