Did Maine cut its net metering in 2026?

The 2025 reforms (LD 1777) targeted community solar and larger commercial projects, not residential rooftop. Home 1-for-1 net billing remains in place, though the broader program is subject to ongoing legal review.

Is solar worth it in Maine with the long winters?

Often yes. Systems are sized so summer overproduction banks credits that cover weaker winter output. Combined with high electricity rates and tax exemptions, most well-sited homes still see lifetime savings — just with a longer payback than before the federal credit ended.

Solar Panels in Maine (2026 Guide)

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Maine in 2026?

About $2.90 per watt before incentives — roughly $14,000 to $15,000 for a 5 kW system and $28,000 to $31,000 for 10 kW.

Q: Does Maine have a solar tax credit or rebate?

No. Maine has no state solar tax credit or rebate, and Efficiency Maine does not rebate solar panels. The 30% federal credit expired December 31, 2025. Maine's savings come from net energy billing and tax exemptions.

Q: Does Maine have net metering?

Yes — it's called net energy billing, and residential customers get 1-for-1 retail credits for exported power. Credits expire after 12 months.

Maine isn't the sunniest state, but it has two things that make solar work: expensive electricity and a strong 1-for-1 net billing program. There's no state tax credit here — there never has been — but the combination of high CMP and Versant rates, full retail export credits, and tax exemptions still adds up to real savings. Here's what's actually available in 2026 and how the math works in a northern climate.

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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Maine?

Maine installs average around $2.90 per watt before incentives — slightly above the national average, reflecting the state's smaller market and winter logistics. For a typical home system:

5 kW system: ~$14,000–$15,000
10 kW system: ~$28,000–$31,000

Your real number depends on your roof, shading, and how the system is sized for Maine's strong summer / weak winter production swing. See our 2026 solar cost breakdown.

Maine Solar Incentives in 2026

No federal tax credit in 2026

To be clear up front: the 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for 2026 installations. Many older guides still mention it — it's gone. See our 2026 tax credit guide.

No state solar tax credit or rebate

Maine has never offered a state income-tax credit for solar, and that's still true in 2026. Efficiency Maine — the state's main incentive agency — focuses on heat pumps, weatherization, and appliances, not residential solar panels. The value is on the utility-bill side, below.

Net Energy Billing (Maine's main solar benefit)

This is the program that makes Maine solar pay. Under net energy billing (NEB), every kWh your panels export to the grid earns a 1-for-1 retail credit that offsets future electricity use. You bank credits in sunny months and draw them down at night and in winter. Two things to know:

Credits expire after 12 months, so systems are sized to roughly match your annual usage.
You still pay your utility's fixed monthly service charge regardless — NEB offsets your usage charges, not the flat connection fee.

Residential rooftop NEB remains intact in 2026. (Recent state reforms targeted community solar and larger commercial projects, not home rooftop systems — see the FAQ.)

Property & sales tax exemptions

Maine exempts solar equipment from local property tax (you generally file an application with your local assessor by April 1, and a new owner must re-file), and solar equipment for your own home is exempt from Maine's 5.5% sales tax, which installers usually apply automatically.

Low-income solar — Maine "Solar for All"

Maine has a federally funded Solar for All (MESA) program aimed at lower-income households, designed to deliver meaningful annual bill savings. As of 2026 the program is still ramping up its intake, so if you may qualify, check current enrollment status rather than assuming immediate availability.

Net Metering in Maine

Maine's version of net metering is the net energy billing program described above — and for residential customers it's still the favorable 1-for-1 retail-rate version. The lower, dollar-denominated "tariff rate" program applies to non-residential customers, not a typical homeowner's rooftop system. In plain terms: as a Maine homeowner, you get a full retail credit for the power you send back.

Major Maine Utilities

Two utilities serve almost all of Maine:

Central Maine Power (CMP) — southern and central Maine (the largest).
Versant Power — northern and eastern Maine.

Maine's all-in residential rates run roughly 27–32¢ per kWh depending on utility — well above the national average (~18¢). Standard-offer supply rates rose again in January 2026. High, rising rates are the main reason solar works here despite the climate.

Is Solar Worth It in Maine in 2026?

For many homeowners with good roof exposure, yes — but go in clear-eyed. The case for it: expensive CMP/Versant power, full 1-for-1 net energy billing, and both sales- and property-tax exemptions. The cautions: there's no federal credit anymore, so you're paying the full system cost up front, and Maine's lower winter sun means a system is sized around a big summer surplus that carries you through winter. Payback is longer than in the federal-credit era, but high electricity rates still push most well-sited homes into positive lifetime savings. A custom quote for your utility and roof is the only way to see your real numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do solar panels cost in Maine in 2026?
About $2.90 per watt before incentives — roughly $14,000–$15,000 for 5 kW and $28,000–$31,000 for 10 kW.

Does Maine have a solar tax credit or rebate?
No. No state credit or rebate, and Efficiency Maine doesn't rebate solar panels. The federal credit expired December 31, 2025.

Does Maine have net metering?
Yes — net energy billing gives residential customers 1-for-1 retail credits (credits expire after 12 months).

Did Maine cut net metering in 2026?
The 2025 reforms (LD 1777) hit community solar and commercial, not residential rooftop, which keeps 1-for-1 billing.

Is solar worth it with Maine's winters?
Often yes — summer overproduction banks credits for winter, and high rates plus tax exemptions keep lifetime savings positive.

Sources

Costs: SolarReviews, EnergySage. Net energy billing: Maine Governor's Energy Office. Tax exemptions: DSIRE; Maine Revenue Services Bulletin No. 29. Rates: EnergySage. Federal credit expiration: IRS OBBB guidance.