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4 Best Solar Companies in Maine (2024 Guide)
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Maine has slowly shifted its focus to solar energy growth over the last 26 years. The state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) outlines gradual moves to more renewable energy sources, such as solar power. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), Maine plans to run on 100% renewable energy by 2050 to help combat its rising, higher-than-average electricity costs.
Our team spent nearly 60 hours researching leading solar installers on the national, regional, and local levels. Our guide details the best solar companies in Maine and offers advice on finding an installer that meets your home’s needs.
Compare Solar Installers in Maine
Maine’s Top Solar Energy Companies
These are the best solar companies in Maine, according to our research and ranking methodology.
Our Top Picks for Solar Installers in Maine
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Maine?
Although Maine has an ambitious renewable energy goal, the state offers limited incentives to make conversion more affordable. Still, homeowners can save on their solar panel installation costs with the following programs.
The federal solar tax credit provides up to 30% off installation costs to residents who legally own their systems. This incentive isn’t paid out as a cash refund but instead helps reduce or eliminate your federal taxes. You can apply the credit to photovoltaic (PV) panel systems, solar shingles and roofing, and stand-alone energy storage. Additional equipment, such as racking systems, wiring, and other components, also qualifies.
Installing a solar system typically increases your home value and property tax, but Maine’s Solar and Wind Energy Property Tax Exemption eliminates these additional taxes. No additional application is required for this benefit. It automatically applies.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) provides a statewide net-metering program known as the Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program. It gives customers utility bill credits for sending excess energy their systems generate back to the power grid. These credits accumulate on each customer’s account and help reduce annual energy costs.
The Maine PUC mandates that customers receive the full retail electricity rate for all payouts. This means that you’ll receive an energy bill credit equal to the original price of electricity. This is the best payout rate for net-metering programs and offers the best savings to customers. We recommend working with your solar installer and utility company to ensure program eligibility and interconnection requirements.
Maine will continue to introduce solar incentives as it pursues its 100% renewable energy goal. We recommend checking DSIRE for complete details on current and future solar incentives.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
When considering a solar installation company, compare the following key features to find the best provider for your needs.
Solar Services
Considers solar panel companies that use in-house installers for their projects. These companies maintain a higher installation quality and have direct customer communication. Some installers use third-party contracts for solar projects involving various local installers. Maintaining installation quality with each remote team is hard, which could lead to improper installations. In addition, you’ll have a separate solar company contact which could complicate communication. We recommend using solar providers with in-house installation teams.
Additional solar services include system monitoring and dedicated apps that provide insight into panel performance. The software details system health, average energy use, and panel or system problems. These services may be free or require additional subscription fees. Some solar providers include energy efficiency audits before an installation to find any energy leaks or issues. This service helps improve your home’s overall efficiency, resulting in better energy savings and solar system performance.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
Your solar panel system should include manufacturer and workmanship warranties. The manufacturer (or product) warranty covers your system for manufacturing defects or issues. With workmanship coverage, you have protection against installation-related issues. Our research found that highest-efficiency residential solar panels include manufacturer coverage for 25 years or longer. This coverage length aligns with the average solar panel life span. Workmanship coverage varies between installers, though the industry standard is 15 years. Having product and workmanship match the estimated panel life span is ideal.
Some solar companies include power production guarantees to outline expected panel performance. Over time, solar panels lose their efficiency by as much as 0.5% per year. Installers include these policies to guarantee solar electric production to account for this gradual panel degradation. Most providers will repair or upgrade your panels if they fall below these production levels. In rare instances, the installer will provide monetary compensation for failed production levels. Coverage varies between installers but may last as little as two years and up to 30 years. We recommend selecting solar systems with long-term production guarantees.
Payment Options
We recommend up-front cash payments or solar loans to maximize your solar investment. Both solar financing options offer the best return on investment (ROI) and make you the legal system owner. Most solar incentives and rebates require legal ownership as a qualification. Other payment options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), keep panel ownership with the solar provider. This disqualifies you from additional cost savings and offers little long-term financial benefit. We don’t recommend these payment options unless you’re not interested in panel ownership.
Customer Support
Solar companies should offer two or more contact options for customer support. Most companies offer phone, email, or online forms. Additional options include in-app messaging, SMS, or online chat. When our team tested online chats, we got mixed results. Some chats connected to a live rep, while others used automated responses. We also recommend checking customer reviews for mentions of customer support issues. During our company research, we noticed recurring issues, such as unreturned phone calls, delayed responses, or unhelpful representatives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Maine
We’ve provided the below guide on a typical solar quote and what to expect when meeting with a solar company. We recommend getting multiple free quotes from solar installers to compare products, pricing, and warranties.
- Contact the solar installer: Check each company’s website for information on starting a quote. Many companies offer online forms, phone numbers, or online calculators to start the process. When we contacted companies by phone, we spoke with two separate employees. The first rep usually verifies your solar eligibility and coverage area. The second rep is from the sales department and will provide further service details.
- Set up a solar consultation: You’ll choose a date for your formal consultation. Many companies offer in-person or virtual options. Choose the method that works best for you. We do recommend checking the video call system requirements to ensure no technical issues occur during the meeting.
- Have your energy bills ready: You’ll need your most recent energy bill for your consultation. Companies use your bill to determine your average energy needs and build a system to support your home. The company should advise how many months of bills it requires. If they don’t, we recommend having your last three months of bills ready.
- Assess your roof space: During your consultation, the sales rep will evaluate your home’s roof and check for available space, design issues, or structural damage. This evaluation helps determine your solar array size and ideal positioning. The rep will also check for nearby objects and trees that could impact panel performance. Because solar panels need sunlight to work, your panels need direct sun access. If your property includes too many tall trees, the rep may recommend tree removal before installation can occur.
- Create your solar system: The solar company will design your system after completing their initial evaluations. Most companies allow you to customize your solar panel system based on your preferred solar panel type, brand, and size. Your panel choice will impact your system size and rooftop solar installation. High-end solar panels produce more energy, and require less roof space, but have the highest price tag. For those looking to save, the best reviewed cheap solar providers are more affordable but generate less power and may require more panels to power a home. Additional system components include solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
- Review the final quote: You’ll receive a final, itemized quote for your solar power system. Your queue should include all solar panel costs, component pricing, labor charges, and warranty details. You’ll also receive details on financing options and your estimated payback period or the amount of time it takes for your system to pay for itself. Some companies may include details for available solar incentives and assist with the applications. Compare your complete quotes before deciding on a solar company.
Our Conclusion
We recommend getting at least three quotes before committing to a provider. Review each installer’s product selection, pricing, financing options, and warranty coverage.
Other Maine Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in Maine
Are solar panels worth it in ME?
Yes, installing solar is worth it in Maine due to the above-average electricity rates and the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. Moving to cheaper solar energy will help reduce your electricity costs and support Maine’s pursuit of 100% clean energy generation by 2050.
Can you sell electricity back to the grid in ME?
Yes, you can sell electricity back to the Maine grid through the state’s net-energy billing (or net-metering) program. Homeowners receive electricity bill credits at the retail electricity rate, making this a favorable program. Contact your utility company for more details on net-energy billing.
Does Maine offer a state solar tax credit?
No, Maine does not currently have a state solar tax credit. However, you can use the federal solar credit for 30% off installation costs. The credit applies to your federal tax liability and may help eliminate them.
What is the average electricity rate in Maine?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost of Maine electricity was 29 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in March 2023. The state has the third-highest electricity rate in the New England region, behind Connecticut and Massachusetts. This rate is nearly twice the country’s 15-cent average.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
