Solar in Maine: is it worth it in 2026?
Maine is one of the best places in the country to own solar. Three things decide that: electricity here is among the most expensive in the country (6th of 51), its sun ranks 36th, and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, Maine has the 2nd-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $148 a month for 533 kWh. A 4.5 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,644 off the first year's bills, 93% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in Maine
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- High electricity prices do the heavy lifting. At 27.7¢ per kWh, even a modest system saves real money, but the price still matters. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 9 years.
Payback by system size
An average Maine home uses about 6,396 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52% | 2.5 kW | $6,425 | 3,298 kWh | 7 years | $20,150 |
| 72% | 3.5 kW | $8,995 | 4,617 kWh | 7 years | $29,260 |
| 103% | 5 kW | $12,850 | 6,595 kWh | 7 years | $42,772 |
| 124% | 6 kW | $15,420 | 7,914 kWh | 8 years | $44,847 |
The 2.5 kW system pays back fastest, but the 6 kW system saves the most over 25 years. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How Maine credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
1:1 credits for every kWh exported; unused credits expire after 12 months.
Before you sign in Maine
Check the license. Look the company up with the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (electricians), by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
Maine has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
Maine compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 27.7¢ | 1,319 | 7 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| New Hampshire | 24.5¢ | 1,258 | 9 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
Questions about solar in Maine
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Maine?
About 7 years for a typical 4.5 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does Maine have net metering?
Yes. 1:1 credits for every kWh exported; unused credits expire after 12 months.
Is there a solar tax credit in Maine in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 4.5 kW system in Maine, that credit was worth about $3,470 and brought payback down to 5 years, instead of 7 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in Maine?
Not for savings. Maine credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Maine?
Yes, under LD 1730, up to 420 watts, or up to 1,200 watts with a licensed electrician and a dedicated outlet. Kits over 420 watts: tell the utility within 30 days.
How do I check a solar company's license in Maine?
Look the company up with the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (electricians) (maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; Solar.com: Plug-in solar, the 2026 guide; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.