Community solar can help you support local solar energy without putting panels on your home. In Maine, it works through Net Energy Billing, often called NEB. If you get power from Central Maine Power or Versant Power, this guide explains what to expect.

How community solar works in Maine

Community solar in Maine uses Net Energy Billing. Shared solar projects send credits to your utility. The utility applies those credits to your account.

Nothing is installed at your home. No panels, no roof work, no equipment. Your utility still delivers electricity on the same wires.

Community solar in Maine means two bills. Your utility bill shows the credits. The solar company sends a separate bill for your subscription.

For a quick overview of program basics and updates, see our Maine state page.

CMP and Versant service areas

Central Maine Power serves central and southern Maine. Versant Power serves northern and eastern Maine. If your account is with either utility, community solar credits come through NEB and appear on your utility bill.

Not sure which projects you may qualify for? Use our Check your eligibility form. We will ask for simple details so we can match you to available options.

How NEB bill credits work

Maine offers a kWh credit program for community solar. In this program, credits offset kWh usage charges. They do not cover fixed charges or demand charges. You will still see any fixed or demand charges on your utility bill.

Here is what to watch for on your bills:

  • Utility bill: shows the kWh credits the solar project sent to your account.
  • Solar bill: shows what you pay for the subscription.

Unused credits expire after 12 months. If credits build up over time and you do not use them within a year, they drop off. Try to keep your subscription size in line with your typical usage. Check your bills and ask your provider if your allocation seems too high or too low.

How savings work with community solar

With community solar, subscribers pay less for the subscription than the solar credits are worth. The credits cover part of your utility bill. Any discount you get applies to the credits, not to your whole bill.

Savings are not the same for everyone. They depend on the state, the utility, and the project. Your actual results can vary over time based on your usage and the project’s credit output.

If you want to see options that may fit your account, start with Check your eligibility. We will confirm your utility and look for an open project.

LD 1777: what changed for new projects

LD 1777 was signed into law on June 27, 2025. After December 31, 2025, new NEB agreements are not allowed for most new solar farms on the utility side of the meter. Existing projects continue.

What this means for customers:

  • If you subscribe to an existing community solar project, NEB credits continue to work through your utility.
  • New community solar supply may be limited because most new utility‑side projects cannot form new NEB agreements after that date.
  • Always review the details from the project before you enroll, including how and when credits appear on your utility bill.

For more background on LD 1777 and program status, check the Maine state page.

Income-qualified customers and assistance

NEB does not have a separate income-qualified discount. Utility low-income assistance is a different program. If you receive help from your utility, that is separate from any community solar subscription you may have.

If you have questions about your utility account, contact your utility. If you have questions about your community solar bill, contact the solar provider.

Community solar in Maine is straightforward once you know how credits flow. Keep an eye on your two bills, note that kWh credits do not cover fixed or demand charges, and remember that unused credits expire after 12 months. Use our tools to confirm eligibility and find a project that fits your utility account.