MAINE
Solar in Maine
Though Maine doesn’t get as much sunshine as some other states, it does have an average of 192 bright, sunny days a year*—a bit less than the national average of 205 days. However, the good news is that 70% of the buildings in Maine are solar viable.*
That means Maine has a lot more solar potential than its residents and business owners are using. As of the first half of 2021, Maine ranked 37th in the nation for solar power, with growth projections of 1,597 MW over the next five years.*
As you may be aware, the Maine Public Service Commission regulates the state’s public utilities, including the electricity rates and services. Another important agency is the Maine State Energy Office, an important resource on Maine’s energy-related statistics as well as the state’s energy programs, policies, and projects.
Solar potential in Maine?
Maine has a good solar potential. The state receives an average of 4.7 hours of sunshine per day, and the average annual solar irradiance is 4.5 kWh/m2. This means that solar panels in Maine can generate a significant amount of electricity.
Though Maine doesn’t get as much sunshine as some other states, it does have an average of 192 bright, sunny days a year*—a bit less than the national average of 205 days. However, the good news is that 70% of the buildings in Maine are solar viable.*
That means Maine has a lot more solar potential than its residents and business owners are using. As of the first half of 2021, Maine ranked 37th in the nation for solar power, with growth projections of 1,597 MW over the next five years.*
As you may be aware, the Maine Public Service Commission regulates the state’s public utilities, including the electricity rates and services. Another important agency is the Maine State Energy Office, an important resource on Maine’s energy-related statistics as well as the state’s energy programs, policies, and projects.
Cost of solar in Maine?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Quality of the solar panels
Weather
Roof space and condition
Premise’s energy needs
In Maine, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $15,050 to $14,200, or in other words, from $2.84 to $3.01 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Advantages?
Lower electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you save money on your electricity bills. The average Maine homeowner can save up to $20,247 on their electricity bills over the lifetime of their solar system.
Increased home value: Solar panels can add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $7,727 more than homes without solar panels.
Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. Solar panels produce no emissions, which can help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy independence: Solar panels can help you become more energy independent and less reliant on the grid. This can be a valuable asset in the event of a power outage.
Solar panels for homes in Maine offer many benefits, both to you as an energy consumer and to our environment. As a clean energy source, solar power reduces the state’s dependency on fossil fuels like natural gas and coal. Many residents, businesses, and state government officials are pushing for solar energy in Maine primarily because it doesn’t harm the environment or contribute to pollution.
High-efficiency solar systems are also more affordable in 2021 than they have been in previous years. Plus, going solar increases energy independence while helping you save you money on monthly utility bills. Another perk is that investing in a solar system will boost your property’s value. Although going solar requires an initial investment, the payback period (that is, the time it takes to recoup your investment) is just short of 11 years, on average.*
Disadvantages?
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Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
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Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
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Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Maine state policies?
Net metering: Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows solar customers to receive credit on their electric bills for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. Maine has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to receive full retail credit for the electricity they generate and send back to the grid.
Property tax exemptions: Maine offers property tax exemptions for solar panels. This can save homeowners money on their property taxes. The value of solar panels is exempt from property taxes in Maine.
Utility company incentives: Some utility companies in Maine offer incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include discounts on your electricity bill or payments for excess electricity that you generate.
Pine Tree State residents can further reduce solar equipment and installation costs by taking advantage of the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Maine residents who install a solar system onto their primary residences can claim a 26% tax credit toward the overall solar system installation cost on their federal income taxes.
The state offers several incentives for its residents as well. For instance, PACE (Property-Assessed Clean Energy) Loans can finance a solar system with no money down—be sure to check with your local government. These are also available for commercial properties as C-PACE loans.*
Net metering (also called Net Energy Billing) will give solar panel owners credit on utility bills to produce an energy surplus.* Be sure to contact your utility company for its specifics.
Combine these incentives with a 43% decrease in solar costs over the last five years,* and it seems this is a great time to go solar in Maine.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Maine? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Maine, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!