Maine solar rebates and tax credits calculator

Solar incentive

Federal ITC 26% (tax credit)

State tax credit: No

Net metering (by utility)

Calculate for your home's location

There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.

Summary of Maine solar incentives 2021

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:

  1. Learn what solar incentives are available to Maine homeowners

  2. See what Maine solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city

  3. 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:

Androscoggin
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  • Androscoggin
  • Aroostook
  • Cumberland
  • Franklin
  • Hancock
  • Kennebec
  • Knox
  • Lincoln
  • Oxford
  • Penobscot
  • Piscataquis
  • Sagadahoc
  • Somerset
  • Waldo
  • Washington
  • York
    • Utility provider: Central Maine Power
    Change
    Utility bill: $ 177
    Change

    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 2021

    8.8kW

    Solar panel cost calculator

    Start

    Best 10 solar companies in Maine

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

     
    Installer

    ReVision Energy

    4.81 213 Reviews

    Latest review

    Art, over 1 month

    Installation was conducted back in April 2020 just as the COVID panic was rearing its ugly head. Crew worked efficiently and job was completed in one day. Schedule was mutually agreed on so that failing asphalt roof could replaced with standing seam prior to installation. A real plus was that all permitting and interface with the power company was taken care as was tax related paperwork. They did it all. Now it’s January and I’m enjoying electric heat in my workshop that was actually captured and banked last summer. Professional installation in every respect. Right down to being ready for code enforcement inspection. Highly recommended.

    Read more

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

    Cost for your home

    ReVision Energy

    Latest review

    Art, over 1 month

    Installation was conducted back in April 2020 just as the COVID panic was rearing its ugly head. Crew worked efficiently and job was completed in one day. Schedule was mutually agreed on so that failing asphalt roof could replaced with standing seam prior to installation. A real plus was that all permitting and interface with the power company was taken care as was tax related paperwork. They did it all. Now it’s January and I’m enjoying electric heat in my workshop that was actually captured and banked last summer. Professional installation in every respect. Right down to being ready for code enforcement inspection. Highly recommended.

    Close
    Installer

    Insource Renewables

    4.46 15 Reviews

    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.

    Read more

    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.

    Close
    Installer

    Maine Solar Solutions

    4.38 15 Reviews

    Latest review

    Neil, 3 weeks ago

    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!

    Read more

    Cost for your home

    Maine Solar Solutions

    Latest review

    Neil, 3 weeks ago

    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!

    Close
    Installer

    Sundog Solar

    4.34 17 Reviews

    Latest review

    Phipps, over 1 month

    Sundog is professional, careful, and easy to work with. I can recommend them without reservation.

    Read more

    Cost for your home

    Sundog Solar

    Latest review

    Phipps, over 1 month

    Sundog is professional, careful, and easy to work with. I can recommend them without reservation.

    Close
    Installer

    Penobscot Solar Design

    4.07 10 Reviews

    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.

    Read more

    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.

    Close
    Installer

    Solar Power New England

    4.06 3 Reviews

    Latest review

    Excellent service , over 1 month

    From planning to final install nothing but good customer service and education

    Read more

    Cost for your home

    Solar Power New England

    Latest review

    Excellent service , over 1 month

    From planning to final install nothing but good customer service and education

    Close
    Installer

    Solarmarine Llc.

    3.94 4 Reviews

    Latest review

    Michael Sheaham, over 1 month

    <br />

    Read more

    Cost for your home

    Solarmarine Llc.

    Latest review

    Michael Sheaham, over 1 month

    <br />

    Close
    Installer

    Goggin Energy

    3.08 1 Reviews

    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.

    Read more

    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.

    Close

    Installer 1 of 1

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    Useful links

    Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

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