While Maine may not seem like a natural fit for solar panels, higher than average energy prices might make rooftop solar panel installation make sense for you. Maine was among the 10 states with the highest electricity rates in August 2023 — and the average price per kilowatt-hour was up 20% from where it was a year earlier.
Higher electricity prices typically means more savings from adopting solar panels, but this goes to show that how much electricity you use is a big part of the equation, too. While statewide trends are a useful marker, your decision to go solar should be rooted in your specific circumstances. Solar panels still cost thousands of dollars even after getting much cheaper over the last decade.
State-level incentives such as net metering and a property tax exemption for the value that solar panels add to your home could help make the clean energy switch a more enticing decision. A federal 30% tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act can also reduce the cost of your installation, but you should calculate your likely savings over your solar panels’ lifetime before taking the plunge.
If you’re interested in going solar in Maine, this is a good place to start. These are some of the solar companies you might contract with for solar installation in the Pine Tree State.
Best national solar panel companies in Maine
No matter how many options of solar installer you have, you should always get multiple quotes so you can compare offers. Here are the national solar companies CNET has reviewed that operate in Maine.
Palmetto Solar
Best overall
Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they’re also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it’s working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
Tesla Solar
Most affordable
Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.
If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.
Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.
Local solar panel companies in Maine
Alongside the national players, there are plenty of local companies to choose from. Here’s a small selection of them.
How to determine which solar company in Maine is right for you
The Solar Energy Industries Association says homeowners in Maine have 31 solar panel installers to choose from. Solar panel companies have different installation processes — some use in-house employees to perform solar panel system installations while other companies hire subcontractors. Make sure you know the installation process of the company you want to work with.
Finding the right solar company means finding the one that best fits your energy goals. That means you need to consider multiple important variables. Make sure the solar installer you’re looking to contract with has the equipment and warranties you’re comfortable with and offers quality customer service. Go into your consultations equipped with knowledge about how many solar panels you need and how much you can save (including net metering and whether or not it’s available to you) so that you don’t get oversold.
No matter how great the first company you talk to is, always get multiple quotes — a minimum of four to five solar company consultations is a good start. That way, by the time you lock in a contract with a solar installer, you know you’re getting a good deal.
Cost of solar panels in Maine
Here’s a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system in Maine before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. It’s important to note that your system could cost more if you choose to install a solar battery. National averages vary from source to source. One estimate from solar consulting firm Wood Mackenzie (PDF) puts the average residential price for the second quarter of 2023 at $3.28 per watt. All estimates and averages are just that. The price you pay might vary based on local factors like permitting and labor costs and costs specific to your system like its size or the complexity of your roof.
Average cost of solar panels in Maine
