Guide to Maine incentives & tax credits in 2022

Summary of Maine solar incentives 2022

Maine saw a big win for home solar in 2019, with new governor Janet Mills reversing the “gross metering” policy of outgoing dumpster fire Paul LePage, and reinstating net metering for all Mainers.

That means your utility company now has to give you full credit for the solar power you send back to them which you can’t use onsite. That’s the kind of change the state’s voters asked for in 2018, and they got it!

Read on to see how that change impacts your home savings estimates for going solar in Maine!

On this page, you can:

Learn what solar incentives are available to Maine homeowners
See what Maine solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Maine solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries

Federal tax credit Net metering Solar rebates Cost of solar panels in ME

Federal solar investment tax credit

The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Maine

This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.

Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.

The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.

Net energy metering in Maine

With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.

Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume to make sure you get credit for the surplus.

With kudos to governor Janet Mills, Maine has re-established 1-to-1 net metering credits at full retail for solar home solar energy. However, if you have unused net metering credits at the end of the year, they get reset to zero and cannot be credited toward your January bill from December.

Therefore, it’s important to size your home solar system well, to ensure you aren’t running over and unable to use credits after the year is up. Connect with a local solar expert to help get your system sized well and calculate your savings.

Get custom savings estimates from local Maine solar installers

Maine solar rebates

While Maine does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.

Cost of solar panels in your part of Maine after all applicable solar incentives

Showing data for:

Utility provider: Central Maine Power

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Utility bill: $ 177

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Prices based on a 8.8kW system, after 26% federal tax credit

Solar prices near you

Cost range of local prices

$17,835-$21,798

Compare local prices online

Payback period

9-11 years

Net profit (savings less system cost)

$39,000-$47,667

Average size system installed in ME in 2022

8.8kW

Solar panel cost calculator

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Best 10 solar companies in Maine

8 solar companies in Maine provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.

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Installer

ReVision Energy

4.80 214 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Rick H, over 1 month

We are thrilled with our panels and the ReVision Energy Team. The options were clearly laid out and they presented models of energy capture given our roof configuration. And the Installation team was terrific. They worked hard, thought through some challenges, and in the end came up with a spectacular result. The connecting wires are largely hidden and those that were necessary are only visible if you look for them. We did not expect it to look so good. During the process there were some COVID delays and the team stepped up to mitigate them. As family and friends see our panels, I am steering them to ReVision Energy.

Average cost (5kW system)
$20,050 ($4.01 per watt)

Cost for your home

ReVision Energy

Latest review

Rick H, over 1 month

We are thrilled with our panels and the ReVision Energy Team. The options were clearly laid out and they presented models of energy capture given our roof configuration. And the Installation team was terrific. They worked hard, thought through some challenges, and in the end came up with a spectacular result. The connecting wires are largely hidden and those that were necessary are only visible if you look for them. We did not expect it to look so good. During the process there were some COVID delays and the team stepped up to mitigate them. As family and friends see our panels, I am steering them to ReVision Energy.

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Installer

Insource Renewables

4.46 15 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

Excellent job from beginning to end. Informative and very good at the job, from installers to office staff. Would recommend them to everyone needing solar installation.

Cost for your home

Insource Renewables

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

Excellent job from beginning to end. Informative and very good at the job, from installers to office staff. Would recommend them to everyone needing solar installation.

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Installer

Maine Solar Solutions

4.38 15 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Neil, over 1 month

My Maine Solar Solutions system just finished its first year. MSS predicted that the annual production would be 9.25 MWh. Actual production was about 10.30 MWh...11% over prediction! It’s nice to see a company under promise and over deliver!

Cost for your home

Maine Solar Solutions

Latest review

Neil, over 1 month

My Maine Solar Solutions system just finished its first year. MSS predicted that the annual production would be 9.25 MWh. Actual production was about 10.30 MWh...11% over prediction! It’s nice to see a company under promise and over deliver!

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Installer

Sundog Solar

4.21 18 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Excellent after sales service, over 1 month

I had a few questions as I first got my Sun Dog Solar waterer going. Marvin and Carl were easy to talk to and walk me through trouble shooting to make sure everything was running perfectly. Great service, very gratefull for their assistance! This was in Rivers, Manitoba and Marvin and Carl are in Alberta

Cost for your home

Sundog Solar

Latest review

Excellent after sales service, over 1 month

I had a few questions as I first got my Sun Dog Solar waterer going. Marvin and Carl were easy to talk to and walk me through trouble shooting to make sure everything was running perfectly. Great service, very gratefull for their assistance! This was in Rivers, Manitoba and Marvin and Carl are in Alberta

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Installer

Solar Power New England

4.17 4 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Docksfree, over 1 month

It's so nice to deal with a company that is truly customer focused. I live in home owned by an extended family- all of whom had many questions about a potential solar project. Their questions were patiently answered. The installation process was efficient and careful - which is not always the case when service people encounter our nearly two hundred year old Victorian home. Since the panels have been up and running we've only encountered one minor software problem, and Andy Robitaille emailed me about it before I even had time to contact him! I'm VERY satisfied with our system and the service we've received from this company.

Cost for your home

Solar Power New England

Latest review

Docksfree, over 1 month

It's so nice to deal with a company that is truly customer focused. I live in home owned by an extended family- all of whom had many questions about a potential solar project. Their questions were patiently answered. The installation process was efficient and careful - which is not always the case when service people encounter our nearly two hundred year old Victorian home. Since the panels have been up and running we've only encountered one minor software problem, and Andy Robitaille emailed me about it before I even had time to contact him! I'm VERY satisfied with our system and the service we've received from this company.

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Installer

Penobscot Solar Design

4.07 10 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

This is who you want to do business with. When you work and meet with Daryl, his integrity and knowledge will ease any anxiety you might have over what is (perhaps) a large financial decision. His product outperformed other panels offered by similar companies. The craftmanship upon installation was excellent. But most important was the piece of mind knowing I was working with a committed, trustworthy, responsible, individual.

Cost for your home

Penobscot Solar Design

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

This is who you want to do business with. When you work and meet with Daryl, his integrity and knowledge will ease any anxiety you might have over what is (perhaps) a large financial decision. His product outperformed other panels offered by similar companies. The craftmanship upon installation was excellent. But most important was the piece of mind knowing I was working with a committed, trustworthy, responsible, individual.

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Installer

Solarmarine Llc.

3.94 4 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Michael Sheaham, over 1 month

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Cost for your home

Solarmarine Llc.

Latest review

Michael Sheaham, over 1 month

<br />

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Installer

Goggin Energy

3.08 1 Reviews 10 mi

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

Buyer beware! Goggin installed a heat pump in my home summer 2016. They promised reliability and efficiency - I got neither. The product they installed was defective, breaking down every other day for 3 months. They were at a loss how to fix it and would not replace it. They finally got it running but now it costs more to run than my old oil furnace! Contract requires mediation to resolve dispute, which costs more than the heat pump condenser is worth. Take my advice and stay away from Goggin energy! Worst business experience of my life, and I have been a building contractor for 35 years.

Cost for your home

Goggin Energy

Latest review

Anonymous, over 1 month

Buyer beware! Goggin installed a heat pump in my home summer 2016. They promised reliability and efficiency - I got neither. The product they installed was defective, breaking down every other day for 3 months. They were at a loss how to fix it and would not replace it. They finally got it running but now it costs more to run than my old oil furnace! Contract requires mediation to resolve dispute, which costs more than the heat pump condenser is worth. Take my advice and stay away from Goggin energy! Worst business experience of my life, and I have been a building contractor for 35 years.

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