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Maine residents have access to expanding community solar programs and clean energy initiatives that can reduce electricity costs without requiring rooftop solar installations. These programs allow multiple households to share the benefits of a single solar array while maintaining their existing utility service.

TL;DR: Maine community solar programs let you subscribe to shared solar projects and receive credits on your electricity bill, typically saving 10-15% on the supply portion of your bill. You can participate regardless of whether your home is suitable for rooftop solar, and you can combine these savings with competitive electricity supply rates.

Last updated: 2026-04-07

How Maine Community Solar Programs Work

Maine community solar programs operate through shared solar gardens that generate electricity for multiple subscribers. When you subscribe to a community solar project, you receive credits on your Central Maine Power or Versant Power bill based on your share of the solar production.

The credits appear as a line item on your utility bill, reducing the supply portion of your electricity costs. Your utility delivery charges remain the same, and you continue receiving service through the same power lines and infrastructure. The solar credits are applied automatically each month based on the project's actual energy production.

Community solar subscribers typically save between 10-15% on their electricity supply costs compared to standard offer rates. As of March 2026, Central Maine Power's standard offer rate is 12.721 cents per kWh, while Versant Power charges 12.954 cents per kWh for customers who haven't chosen a competitive supplier.

Maine's Net Energy Billing Program

Maine's net energy billing program governs how community solar projects compensate subscribers. Under this program, solar projects receive credits at the full retail electricity rate, which are then passed on to subscribers at a discount.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission oversees the net energy billing program and sets capacity limits for community solar development. Current regulations allow projects up to 5 megawatts to participate in net energy billing, with larger projects subject to different compensation structures.

Subscribers can receive credits for up to 120% of their annual electricity usage, allowing for some flexibility in subscription sizing. Excess credits roll over month to month but expire at the end of each calendar year, encouraging right-sizing of subscriptions.

Clean Energy Options for Maine Residents

Beyond community solar, Maine residents can access clean energy through competitive electricity suppliers that offer renewable energy plans. These plans typically source electricity from wind, solar, and hydroelectric projects throughout New England.

Renewable energy plans in Maine often include Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that verify the environmental attributes of clean energy generation. Some suppliers offer 100% renewable plans, while others provide blended options with varying percentages of renewable content.

The ISO New England grid operator manages the regional electricity market that serves Maine. The New England grid includes substantial renewable energy resources, with wind and solar generation continuing to expand across the region.

Maine's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires electricity suppliers to source an increasing percentage of their power from renewable resources. This policy drives continued investment in clean energy projects throughout the state and region.

Comparing Community Solar with Competitive Supply

Maine residents can potentially combine community solar savings with competitive electricity supply rates for maximum cost reduction. Community solar credits reduce your total electricity usage as billed, while competitive supply rates can lower the per-kWh cost of remaining usage.

Competitive suppliers in Maine include companies like Constellation and NextEra Energy, which offer fixed-rate plans that can provide price certainty compared to the standard offer rate that changes periodically. When evaluating competitive plans, consider both the rate and contract terms.

Tools like Gatby can help you compare available electricity plans in your Central Maine Power or Versant Power service territory while accounting for community solar credits. This ensures you're optimizing both your renewable energy participation and your electricity supply rate.

The key is understanding that community solar and competitive supply address different portions of your electricity bill. Community solar reduces your total kWh usage through credits, while competitive supply changes the rate you pay for the remaining usage.

Enrollment Process and Requirements

Enrolling in Maine community solar typically requires completing a subscription agreement with the project developer. You'll need to provide your utility account information and specify your desired subscription size based on your annual electricity usage.

Most community solar projects require subscribers to be in the same utility territory as the solar installation. Central Maine Power and Versant Power customers must subscribe to projects within their respective service areas to receive bill credits.

Subscription fees vary by project but often include an upfront enrollment fee and ongoing monthly charges. Some projects offer prepaid subscriptions, while others use monthly billing. Review the financial terms carefully, including any early termination fees or subscription transfer policies.

Credit timing depends on when the solar project begins commercial operation. New projects may take 12-18 months from subscription to first bill credits, while existing projects with available capacity can provide credits more quickly.

Maine's Energy Policy and Future Outlook

Maine has set ambitious clean energy goals, including 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. These targets drive continued expansion of solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects throughout the state.

The Maine Governor's Energy Office coordinates state energy policy and administers various clean energy incentive programs. Recent initiatives include expanded funding for heat pump installations and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Federal tax incentives continue to support community solar development, with the Investment Tax Credit providing significant project financing benefits. These incentives help keep subscription costs competitive with traditional electricity sources.

Grid modernization investments by Central Maine Power and Versant Power are improving the integration of distributed solar resources. Smart grid technologies enable better management of variable renewable energy generation and two-way power flows.

Comparing plans on Gatby is always free, and the platform can help you evaluate how community solar subscriptions interact with competitive electricity supply options. Gatby has 4.8/5 stars from 500+ independent reviews for its energy plan comparison and management services.

Written by Hash Manesia, Energy Market Analyst at Gatby. Hash Manesia covers deregulated electricity markets across Texas and the Northeast, helping consumers navigate plan selection, rate comparison, and energy policy changes.

Reviewed by the Gatby Editorial Team on 2026-04-07

Frequently Asked Questions

What is community solar and how does it work in Maine?

Community solar allows multiple households to subscribe to a shared solar project and receive credits on their electricity bills. In Maine, subscribers receive credits based on their portion of the solar array's monthly production, typically saving 10-15% on electricity supply costs. You remain a customer of Central Maine Power or Versant Power for delivery service, but receive bill credits that reduce your total electricity charges. The solar project can be located anywhere within your utility territory, not necessarily on your property.

Can I participate in community solar if I rent my home?

Yes, renters can participate in Maine community solar programs since the subscription is tied to your utility account, not property ownership. You'll need permission to make changes to your utility account, which most landlords allow since it doesn't affect the property. When you move, you can typically transfer your community solar subscription to your new address if it's within the same utility territory, or cancel according to the subscription agreement terms.

How do community solar credits appear on my electricity bill?

Community solar credits appear as a separate line item on your Central Maine Power or Versant Power bill, usually labeled as "net energy billing credit" or similar. The credits are applied to the supply portion of your bill, reducing your total electricity charges. Your delivery charges remain unchanged since you're still receiving power through the same utility infrastructure. Credits are calculated monthly based on your subscription size and the solar project's actual energy production.

Can I combine community solar with a competitive electricity supplier?

Yes, you can participate in community solar while also choosing a competitive electricity supplier in Maine's deregulated market. Community solar credits reduce your total electricity usage as billed, while a competitive supplier can offer different rates for your remaining usage. This combination can maximize your electricity savings, especially if you choose a competitive rate below Maine's standard offer rates of 12.721 cents per kWh (Central Maine Power) or 12.954 cents per kWh (Versant Power).

What happens if I use less electricity than my community solar subscription produces?

If your community solar subscription generates more credits than your monthly electricity usage, the excess credits typically roll over to the next month's bill. However, in Maine, unused credits expire at the end of each calendar year, so it's important to size your subscription appropriately. Most community solar providers help you calculate the right subscription size based on your historical electricity usage to minimize waste while maximizing savings.

Are there any upfront costs for joining a community solar program?

Community solar programs in Maine may require upfront enrollment fees or deposits, typically ranging from $50 to $200. Some projects offer monthly subscription models with no upfront costs, while others provide discounted rates for prepaid subscriptions. Review the financial terms carefully, including any early termination fees, subscription transfer policies, and the discount rate you'll receive on solar credits compared to standard electricity rates.