State guides
Maine Community Solar in 2026: Net Energy Billing for CMP and Versant Customers
· 4 min read
Net Energy Billing (NEB)
Maine community solar
For Central Maine Power, and Versant Power customers.
At a glance
- Program
- Net Energy Billing (NEB) (opens a page outside this site)
- Shared solar projects give credits on your utility bill. A 2025 law (LD 1777 (opens a page outside this site)) ended new NEB agreements for most new solar farms after December 31, 2025. Existing projects continue.
- Who can join
- Customers of 2 utilities (opens a page outside this site)
- Central Maine Power and Versant Power customers, for a project in the same utility territory.
- How you’re billed
- Two bills (dual billing) (opens a page outside this site)
- Your utility bill shows your credits. The solar company sends a separate bill for your subscription.
- See a bill example
- Income-qualified path
- No separate discount (opens a page outside this site)
- No separate income-qualified discount right now. Utility low-income assistance is a separate program.
How it works
How it works in Maine
Nothing is installed at your home. Your utility still delivers your power and sends your bill.
- 1
Check your utility
You need a Central Maine Power or Versant Power account.
- 2
Get credits on your utility bill
The project’s credits are applied to your utility account.
- 3
Review both bills
Your utility bill shows the credits. The solar company bills you separately.
Billing
How billing works in Maine
Maine uses dual billing: expect two bills each month.
Maine community solar uses dual billing. Each month you get two bills, as the Maine Office of the Public Advocate (opens a page outside this site) explains. Add them together to see what you pay.
Bill 1: Central Maine Power or Versant Power
Your usual electric bill, with your Net Energy Billing credits applied.
Bill 2: Your subscription
A separate bill from the solar company. It costs less than the credits you received.
Example: a $200 bill with $150 in credits
Your subscription costs 20% less than your credits are worth. Example only, not a quote.
Bill 1: Your utility
- Electric bill
- $200
- Solar credits
- −$150
- You pay
- $50
Bill 2: Your subscription
- Credits received
- $150
- 20% discount
- −$30
- You pay
- $120
Total for the month: $50 + $120 = $170
You save $30 vs. $200
The discount applies to your credits, not your whole bill. Your actual bill, credits, and discount depend on your usage and your project.
Income-qualified
Income-qualified households in Maine
- Net Energy Billing has no separate income-qualified program or discount right now.
- Central Maine Power and Versant Power low-income assistance programs are separate from community solar.
Utilities we serve
In Maine, we enroll customers of:
- Central Maine Power
- Versant Power
FAQ
Maine questions, answered
What is Maine’s community solar program?
Maine uses Net Energy Billing (opens a page outside this site), or NEB. Shared solar projects send credits that your utility applies to your bill.
Which utilities do you serve in Maine?
Central Maine Power (central and southern Maine) and Versant Power (northern and eastern Maine).
Will I get one bill or two?
Two (dual billing). Your utility bill shows your credits, and the solar company sends a separate bill for your subscription. Add them together to see what you pay.
What do NEB credits cover?
In the kWh Credit Program, credits offset kWh usage charges, not fixed or demand charges. Unused credits expire after 12 months.
Can new solar farms still join NEB?
A 2025 law (LD 1777 (opens a page outside this site), signed June 27, 2025) ended new NEB agreements for most new solar farms after December 31, 2025. Existing projects continue.
Guides
Reading for Maine households
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