Maine
Community solar in Maine enables residents, including renters and homeowners, to benefit from solar energy without installing panels on their property. Participants subscribe to a portion of a local solar farm, and the energy produced is credited to their utility bills, often resulting in cost savings. This initiative is supported by various utility companies and organizations across the state.
Versant's Community Solar About Page
Versant Power, serving Maine, offers a community solar program that enables homeowners, renters, and businesses to participate in shared renewable energy projects without installing solar panels on their properties. Subscribers receive bill credits based on the energy produced by their share of the community solar farm, effectively reducing their electricity costs. These credits are applied directly to the customer's Versant Power bill, while the solar project owner issues a separate bill for participation.
CMP Net Energy Billing
CMP serves approximately 646,000 customers across central and southern Maine. To promote renewable energy participation, CMP offers the Net Energy Billing (NEB) program. This program enables customers to receive credits on their electricity bills for energy generated by their share in a community energy project, such as a solar farm. These credits can offset the customer's electricity consumption, potentially reducing their overall bill. Excess credits can be banked and used over a 12-month period. Participants receive a separate bill from the community energy project for the energy provided
Maine State Legislation
Maine’s Community Solar program allows homeowners and renters to subscribe to a local solar farm and receive credits on their electric bills for the clean energy their share produces. This lets residents save money on their electricity costs while supporting renewable energy growth in their communities — all without installing panels or changing their utility provider.
How It Works
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Your monthly electric bill: $200
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You receive a $150 solar credit from your share of the solar garden.
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That credit is applied to your utility bill, lowering what you owe.
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You then pay the solar provider for that $150 credit at a 10% discount — so you only pay $135.
✅ Result: You save $15 that month, and your total energy cost drops from $200 to $185 — while supporting local clean energy.