Solar battery incentives in Maine
Maine homeowners with eligible battery systems can earn money by allowing stored electricity to be sent back to the grid during periods of high demand. Participating battery manufacturers manage the programs and pay customers based on their battery’s participation.
Solar batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000.
You may also be able to save with Central Maine Power’s Time-of-Use rate. This lets you charge your battery when electricity is cheaper and use that stored power when rates are higher. Efficiency Maine estimates that battery-sharing payments and CMP Time-of-Use savings could add up to roughly $8,850 to $21,450 over 10 years, depending on your battery size and electricity use.
You don’t need solar panels to take part in a battery-sharing program. However, these incentives can help lower the overall cost of a solar-plus-storage system. Your actual payments and savings will depend on factors like your battery manufacturer, utility rates, system size and participation in grid-sharing events.
Solar property tax exemption in Maine
Maine’s Renewable Energy Investment Exemption can keep qualifying solar energy equipment from adding to your property tax bill.
To claim the exemption, you’ll need to apply with your local assessor by April 1 of the first year you want to receive it.
- Eligibility: Qualifying solar equipment must generate heat or electricity and meet Maine’s rules for how that energy is used, including certain onsite-use and net energy billing arrangements.
- Financial benefit: The exemption keeps the value of qualifying solar equipment from being added to your taxable property value, which can help lower your property tax costs over time.
What to know about net metering in Maine
Net metering, called net energy billing in Maine, lets homeowners with solar panels earn credits for excess electricity they send to the grid. Those credits can then help offset electricity they use at other times.
Maine has two net energy billing programs:
- Kilowatt-Hour Credit Program: This is the program most homeowners use. You earn a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit for eligible electricity your system sends to the grid, and those credits can offset electricity you use later. Any unused credits expire after 12 months.
- Tariff Rate Program: This program is available only to commercial and institutional customers. Instead of kWh credits, participants receive dollar credits based on the output of an eligible system and the applicable tariff rate. Unused credits also expire after 12 months.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission oversees the state’s net energy billing programs and publishes the applicable rules and tariff rates.
How much are solar panels in Maine?
Solar panel costs in Maine typically range from $14,414 to $28,828 before any incentives. Your system size greatly affects how much you pay overall. The typical system size for solar systems in Maine is 7.7 kW.
Your total price depends on whether you add battery storage to your system. Solar batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000, which can nearly double the total system price.
Solar cost by system size in Maine
| 5 kW | 6 kW | 7 kW | 8 kW | 9 kW | 10 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide average | $14,414 | $17,297 | $20,179 | $23,062 | $25,945 | $28,828 |
Ways to pay for solar panels
You can pay cash, but many homeowners finance solar panels with a solar loan. It works a lot like any other type of loan — there’s an application and approval process, and you pay it back over time (with interest).
Federal mortgage options for solar and energy upgrades
Some mortgage programs allow eligible borrowers to include the cost of energy-saving improvements in a home purchase or refinance loan. Solar eligibility, borrowing limits and other requirements vary by program and lender.
FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages: Eligible borrowers may be able to finance cost-effective energy improvements as part of an FHA-insured purchase or refinance mortgage. A home energy assessment is required, and the improvements must be expected to save at least as much as they cost. FHA also has separate provisions for financing eligible solar and wind systems.
VA Energy Efficient Mortgages: Eligible veterans, service members and certain National Guard and Reserve members may be able to add up to $6,000 in approved energy improvements to a VA-backed purchase or refinance loan. For improvements costing more than $3,000, the lender must verify that the projected monthly energy savings exceed the increase in the mortgage payment.
» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy
Find solar companies in Maine
A good solar company helps you navigate local incentives, permitting and net metering policies. Compare our picks for Maine’s top solar companies to learn more.
| Company | Customer rating | Pro install | Payment options | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Project Solar | Learn More | 3.9 |  | Cash, loan | 2020 |
 Tesla Energy | Learn More | 1.9 | | Cash, loan and lease | 2015 |
 ShopSolar | Learn More | 4.5 |  | Cash, loan | 2018 |
FAQ
Can I get free solar panels in Maine?
No. Maine doesn’t currently offer government programs that provide free solar panels to homeowners. You may be able to get solar with little or no upfront cost through a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), but these options aren’t free — you’ll make payments or pay for the electricity the system produces.
» FREE SOLAR PANELS: Are they really free?
How do I know what system size I need?
Start by checking how much electricity you used over the past year. For a rough estimate, divide your annual electricity use in kWh by 1,200. For example, 15,000 kWh of annual use works out to about a 12.5-kW system. Your actual system size will depend on factors like your roof, shading and how much sunlight your property gets.
Can I get a power purchase agreement in Maine?
Yes, although availability depends on the solar provider. With a power purchase agreement (PPA), a third party owns the solar panels and you pay for the electricity they produce rather than buying the system yourself.
How much can I save with solar panels in Maine?
On average, Maine homeowners with solar panels avoid $30,419 in utility costs over 25 years. Your current electric bill is the starting point for assessing the financial benefits of transitioning to solar energy. Knowing your average energy consumption helps determine the size and capacity of the solar system you need. Once you know this, you can figure out potential savings and how long it should take for your solar installation to pay for itself.
How do I know if my house is a good candidate for solar?
It’s best to have plenty of unshaded roof space that faces south or west for optimal sun exposure. It’s also smart to upgrade any old, inefficient appliances first. Reducing your electrical loads now means you can get a smaller system, which will be cheaper.
The condition of your roof matters too — if it needs replacement soon, do that before installing solar panels. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This will cost around $5,000 for a 19-panel setup.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, more commonly known as solar panels, absorb sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. If you have a lot of shading around your house, they might not get enough sun to power your home.
Is my HOA allowed to restrict solar panels?
Maine law generally prevents HOAs and similar agreements created after Sept. 30, 2009, from prohibiting solar panels on residential property you own. However, reasonable restrictions may be allowed for safety, building protection, certain historic or aesthetic concerns and other issues. Condominiums may also restrict solar installations on common property. Renters have separate protections for solar clothes-drying devices, such as clotheslines.
What has Maine’s investment in solar been so far?
Total solar investments in the state amount to $3.2 billion, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Bottom line: Are solar panels still worth it in Maine?
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team conducted an in-depth analysis to determine the average cost of going solar. We found that solar can be worth it for many homeowners, but your savings in Maine will depend on your energy use, installation costs, roof conditions, financing and available incentives.
Solar costs vs. savings: Maine and nearby states
| 6-kW system cost (before incentives) | 10-kW system cost (before incentives) | Typical system size needed* | Average cost per watt | Total utility power cost savings** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $17,297 | $28,828 | 7.7 kW | $2.88 | $30,419 |
| Massachusetts | $18,536 | $30,893 | 7.3 kW | $3.09 | $155,464 |
| New Hampshire | $19,181 | $31,968 | 6 kW | $3.20 | $48,186 |
| Vermont | $16,600 | $27,666 | 11.2 kW | $2.77 | $41,197 |
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- DSIRE, "Maine Programs." Accessed July 27, 2026.
- Maine Public Utilities Commission, "Net Energy Billing." Accessed July 28, 2026.
- Maine Audubon, "Thoughtfully Sited Solar." Accessed July 28, 2026.
- Maine Department of Energy Resources, "Maine Solar Dashboard." Accessed July 28, 2026.
- Maine Department of Energy Resources, "Solar for All." Accessed July 27, 2026.
- Efficiency Maine, "Small Battery Incentives." Accessed July 27, 2026.
- Maine Revenue Services, "Property Tax Relief." Accessed July 27, 2026.
- Maine Office of the Revisor of Statutes, "Title 33: PROPERTY, Chapter 28-A: SOLAR RIGHTS." Accessed July 27, 2026.
- Solar Energy Industries Association, "Maine Solar." Accessed July 27, 2026.
