Best Solar Companies In Maine

Despite not being the sunniest of states, Maine is a good locale for solar panels thanks to the state’s net metering policies, property tax exemption and additional incentives. Residents who are interested in going solar also have their pick of highly qualified companies.

• Tesla: Best Product Design
• Summit Energy: Best Regional Installer
• Sundog Solar: Best Local Solar Company
• Maine Solar Solutions: Best Customer Service

We compared the ratings and costs of Maine solar panel companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria including product variety, financing options, warranty details, consumer reviews and more.

Tesla

4.6

Get Started

From Participating Partners

Mobile App

Yes

Free Energy Consultation

Yes

States Covered

50

Summit Energy

4.5

Get Started

From Participating Partners

Mobile App

Yes

Free Energy Consultation

Yes

States Covered

8

Sundog Solar

4.4

Get Started

From Participating Partners

Mobile App

No

Free Energy Consultation

Yes

States Covered

1

Maine Solar Solutions

4.4

Get Started

From Participating Partners

Mobile App

No

Free Energy Consultation

Yes

States Covered

1

COMPANY	FORBES HOME RATING	MOBILE APP	FREE ENERGY CONSULTATION	STATES COVERED	LEARN MORE
Tesla	4.6	Yes	Yes	50	Get Started From Participating Partners
Summit Energy	4.5	Yes	Yes	8	Get Started From Participating Partners
Sundog Solar	4.4	No	Yes	1	Get Started From Participating Partners
Maine Solar Solutions	4.4	No	Yes	1	Get Started From Participating Partners

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It’s wise to keep a few factors in mind when choosing a Maine solar company so you can find the best fit for you.

• Local knowledge of Maine: Maine’s long and cold winters mean the state isn’t ideal for relying solely on solar energy systems—instead, most solar customers stay connected to the grid in some capacity to ensure they receive power throughout the year. When considering the best solar companies in Maine, it’s essential to go with a provider who understands these potential climate limitations and can work around them to help you find the best fit for your home.
• Panel selection: Additionally, different companies offer different types of solar panel technology. Consider whether product selection is important to you or if you are content to go with what a given company supplies. You should also consider each company’s warranties. A strong warranty, like comprehensive 25-year coverage, often indicates that the company provides high-quality products and services that will last for many years.
• Local incentive knowledge: Along with that, you should seek out a provider who is knowledgeable of state and federal incentives to help you take advantage of all your options. While there are no state-specific tax credits beyond the property tax exemption, the right solar provider can guide you through the federal incentives.
• Good reputation: Once you narrow down your list of potential installers, the company should be able to provide testimonials or connect you with past customers who can speak to their experience. It’s also a good idea to look for credentials, like certifications from reputable organizations, such as the NABCEP, and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.

When selecting a solar installer, it’s important to consider and figure out several key factors of your unique solar array.

• Budget: Having a rough idea of your budget before requesting quotes for Maine solar companies can help you make a selection and figure out if solar is in the card for your family.
• Panel size: Work with different installers to determine the optimal size of the solar system based on your energy requirements and available roof space.
• Warranties: Another thing to examine is the warranties and guarantees offered by both the installer and solar equipment manufacturer. Ensure that they offer comprehensive coverage against equipment defects, labor and system performance.
• Financing options: Lastly, explore the company’s financing options to help decide whether they can meet your needs and budget requirements.

The average cost of solar panels is around $16,000. Maine’s average solar panel cost is $3.33 per watt. So a standard six-kilowatt system will cost around $19,980. With the federal tax ITC of 30%, this brings the cost down to around $13,990. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on factors such as the size and location of your home, labor costs, the orientation of your roof and the panel brand.

State and federal governments offer a variety of incentives to encourage Maine residents to go solar, including net metering and home energy loans.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

The federal government offers a solar investment tax credit, commonly known as the ITC. The credit allows homeowners who own their solar energy systems to obtain a credit equal to 30% of the cost of their system from their federal income taxes. For example, if your total system cost $20,000 to install, you are eligible for a $6,000 tax credit during the following year.

Note: The ITC is a non-refundable tax credit. Depending on your overall tax liability, you may only receive a portion of this credit. Work with a tax accountant to understand how a solar panel tax credit will impact your finances.

Tax Credits

While Maine doesn’t currently offer state tax credits for solar energy in addition to the federal solar tax credit, it does allow a property tax exemption. This means that homeowners in Maine do not have to pay additional property taxes that would typically apply to the home’s increase in value after installing a solar energy system. Residents must apply for a property tax exemption in advance through Maine’s Revenue Service.

Net Metering

Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) Program enables customers to reduce their electricity expenses by harnessing their solar system’s energy output and selling it to utility companies for credits. Customers have the option to either own their own individual project or participate in a shared project alongside other customers. Generation facilities can be situated on either the customer’s own property or on another property within the same utility service territory.

Other State-Specific Incentives

Efficiency Maine offers home energy loans to help income-eligible residents pay for energy upgrades through Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). The loans come without fees and have interest rates as low as 5.99%. Qualifying residents can borrow up to $7,500 for unsecured loans. Efficiency Maine is also in the process of creating new loan options for borrowers across all income brackets. Once finalized, details about these expanded loan offerings will be posted on the company website.

Many wonder whether solar panels are worth it in Maine, as most parts of the state see long, cold winters with relatively limited sunshine. Still, in most cases, making the switch to solar energy can save Maine residents money in the long run. Solar customers can stay connected to the grid, so they never have to go without power. During months when solar energy is plentiful, customers can still reduce or even eliminate their energy expenses.

While Maine’s solar incentives don’t include a state-specific tax credit, solar system owners can still take advantage of the federal ITC, which offsets 30% of the system’s cost via a direct tax credit. Plus, with Maine’s Net Energy Billing program, customers can offset their energy costs even further by selling their stored energy back to utility companies. Overall, those who plan on staying at their residence long-term will see an ROI in energy savings over time.

Maine Solar Savings: Calculating the Break-Even Point

Maine’s average monthly utility costs are higher than the national average, coming in at about $99.44 per month for energy. The average cost of a solar energy system in Maine, including the 30% savings from the federal ITC, is $13,990. This means that if all energy costs are covered by the solar system’s energy production, solar customers can break-even in as little as 141 months, or just under 12 years.

CALCULATING THE BREAK-EVEN POINT
Average Cost of 6kW Solar System w/Installation	$19,980
Maine Incentives (30%)	$5,990
Estimated System Cost (inc. Incentives)	$13,990
Break Even Period	12 years
20-Year Savings	$9,546.24
25-Year Savings	$15,512.64

*Based on energy costs within the location/state all data is estimated, calculations assume all electricity usage is covered by solar energy and the cost of 22.59 ¢/kWh within Maine

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In Forbes Home’s recent survey on how satisfied Americans are with their solar systems, we surveyed 1,000 solar customers to gain insights into how they view their investment. Nearly 90% nationwide said they are happy with their decision to add a solar energy system to their home. As for customer satisfaction in Maine and the Northeast specifically, around 91% said they were very satisfied or satisfied with their decision to make the switch.

• 59.61% of East Coast solar customers said they valued energy independence the most.
• 55.67% of East Coast solar customers said they valued the environmental benefits of their system above all.
• Only 7.39% of solar customers on the East Coast surveyed said they prioritized reduced energy costs from their systems.
• Around 86% of East Coast solar customers said they would recommend solar panel installation based on their experience.

To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.

All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.