Solar

Solar electricity is a clean and renewable resource that can provide a variety of benefits to the electrical grid. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can be installed in arrays ranging from small, residential rooftop installations that power a home to many acres of solar farm that can power entire towns – thousands of homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings. Solar installed behind-the-meter, such as on a rooftop, lowers load on the distribution system and can offset the building’s energy bill, while larger utility-scale solar farms provide clean power to the grid throughout the course of the day. When paired with energy storage, solar can continue to provide clean, renewable power even after the sun sets.

Maine Solar Dashboard

Distributed generation

In Maine, distributed generation resources are renewable generators less than 5 megawatts (MW). Distributed solar interconnects to the distribution grid, and can provide a variety of benefits to both the entity where electricity is generated – residences, businesses, or other institutions – as well as to the overall electrical grid. Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are the most commonly adopted generation distributed generation in Maine, although other generation sources including small-scale wind turbines, biomass systems, and hydroelectric are also included.

Programs

Net Energy Billing Overview

Net energy billing provides bill credits for excess generation from distributed generation resources that is not consumed on site, but instead provided to the grid. NEB is available for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. These programs can provide energy savings by lowering overall utility bills and offer the opportunity to support renewable energy generation at a local level.

NEB participants may enroll solar generation they own themselves, such as rooftop panels, or may choose to join a solar array shared with other customers and located elsewhere in their utility’s service territory. This arrangement is commonly referred to as “community solar.” Community solar developers are required to provide information about the costs and benefits of their project to prospective customers. There are two programs for NEB: the kWh Credit Program, and the Tariff Rate Program. Click on the menu items below to learn more.

Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program

This program is available to all electric utility customers. Through the kWh credit program, NEB participants receive a credit for every kWh provided to the grid from their solar array. These credits can be used to offset future charges on a one-to-one basis during billing periods when the participant uses more energy than their solar array generates. Any unused credits expire after 12 months.

Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program

This program is available to non-residential electric utility customers. Through the tariff rate program, NEB participants receive dollar credits at a rate determined annually by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). These bill credits cannot cause a customer’s utility bill to decrease below $0 in any given billing period, and any unused credits expire after 12 months.

Learn more on the Maine PUC “Net Energy Billing” webpage.

ShapeAnyone who is contacted by a solar installer or salesperson is encouraged to review terms carefully, obtain multiple quotes when possible, and avoid disclosing sensitive personal or financial information to unknown third parties. 

Information for consumers considering community solar is available from the Office of the Public Advocate. Consumers who wish to report suspicious or deceptive marketing should contact the Office of the Maine Attorney General.

Resources

Solar Customer Disclosure Forms

The forms linked below are designed to provide consumers with clear, standardized information to evaluate potential solar transactions and understand solar contract terms offered in the State of Maine. Maine law requires that a person that sells or leases solar energy equipment that is installed on the customer side of the meter must provide a completed standard written disclosure to the customer in a form that the customer may keep. Click the links below to view and download the forms

Solar and Energy Storage Handbook for Maine Communities

Solar and battery storage projects can generate considerable benefits for local communities, such as growing the commercial tax base, reducing energy costs, and bolstering resilience. As with any kind of development, proactive planning that incorporates clear standards and requirements can mitigate potential project impacts, reduce costs, and balance land use priorities. The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) created a handbook to help community leaders proactively determine local priorities and responsibly manage solar and battery energy storage projects while meeting local needs. The handbook is available to download here (PDF link), along with a printer-friendly summary with a QR code linked to the full handbook (PDF link).

More Resources for Solar Customers

For general information and frequently asked questions about solar energy, see resources for consumers provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Energy Systems Office.

I want to learn more about installing solar at my home or business

Numerous solar installers operate throughout the state. As with any purchase of goods and services, consumers should consider practices including acquiring quotes from multiple installers and requesting references before signing a contract with an installer. Customers of Maine’s two investor-owned utilities can find additional information about solar from their utility below:

I want to learn more about community solar - I've been told I could get a discount on my electric bill

Additional information for consumers considering community solar is provided by the Maine Office of the Public Advocate.

All community solar providers are required to register with the Maine PUC, and must disclose any enforcement actions taken against them in Maine or other jurisdictions.

I need assistance resolving a dispute with my utility related to small solar interconnection.

The Maine PUC has established an interconnection dispute resolution process to resolve disputes regarding interconnection of rooftop solar, battery storage, or any other type of distributed generation facility. For more information or to initiate the process, contact the Maine PUC.

I want to know what happens to solar farms at the end of their life

Solar power projects occupying three or more acres are required to file a decommissioning plan with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The project owners must also provide financial assurance, such as a bond, sufficient to cover the cost of decommissioning the project as outlined in the plan approved by Maine DEP. If the solar project changes ownership, the new owners must inform DEP.

I want to learn more about solar on my farm

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has issued a fact sheet regarding dual-use or agrivoltaic solar installations (PDF).

More Resources for the Solar Industry

Rules promulgated by the Maine PUC governing topics such as net energy billing and small generation interconnection procedures can be found on the PUC website.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection administers certain applicable permitting requirements, as well as Maine's solar decommissioning law.

Certain state agencies have issued guidance for solar development:

Information is available from Maine’s two investor-owned utilities regarding interconnection and other pertinent topics: