Solar electricity is a clean and renewable resource that can provide a variety of benefits to the electrical grid. Solar installed behind-the-meter, such as on a homeowner’s 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. Learn more about solar technologies from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.
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.
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. Read more about solar and distributed energy resources from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
Programs
Maine’s Solar for All Proposal
On April 22, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected Maine’s proposal for a $62 million grant award to provide financial and technical assistance enabling low-income and disadvantaged households across the state to access solar and energy storage. This program is forthcoming, but not yet available. For more information on Maine’s proposal to Solar for All, please visit this page. To receive email updates about this program, please sign up here.
Net Energy Billing
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:
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.
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.
Anyone 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.
FAQs
The following resources are not GEO references, but may serve as useful tools for others seeking to gain additional information.
- Resources for solar customers
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For general information and frequently asked questions about solar energy, see resources for consumers provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies 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.
Residential solar installations are eligible for the federal renewable energy tax credit, which allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the system cost if installed between January 1, 2022 and 2032. For more information, see the following resources published by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office:
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. Click here for the list of registered community solar providers maintained by the Maine PUC.
I need assistance resolving a dispute with my utility related to net energy billing
The Maine PUC has established a net energy billing rapid response process to resolve potential disputes about net energy billing issues. 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. For more information from Maine DEP, click here.
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.
- Resources for solar industry
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Rules promulgated by the Maine PUC governing topics such as net energy billing and small generation interconnection procedures can be found here.
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:
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry has issued technical guidance for utility-scale solar installation and development on agricultural, forested, and natural lands.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has issued solar project guidance and recommendations.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued guidance related to the siting of solar arrays on closed landfills.Information is available from Maine’s two investor-owned utilities regarding interconnection and other pertinent topics: