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The growth of solar power in Maine has been relatively slow — the state ranks 30th for installed solar capacity nationwide. Over 50 solar companies operate in the Pine Tree State, but our picks for the best solar companies in Maine are SunPower, Sunrun, ADT Solar, Maine Solar Solutions and ReVision Energy.
We at the MarketWatch Guides Team reviewed the top solar companies nationwide based on in-depth research, consumer surveys and discussions with solar experts, manufacturers and installers. We also used a detailed methodology to rate each provider. Read on to learn more about our picks for Maine solar installers.
What To Look for in a Solar Company
Decent renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and the benefits of going solar are improving the demand for solar in Maine, and residents have dozens of solar companies to choose from. Below are a few factors to consider when choosing a solar installer.
- Cost and financing: While solar panels offer multiple benefits, some buyers may find the initial cost discouraging. Based on our March 2023 survey of 1,000 homeowners, a solar array costs between $15,000 and $20,000. Going solar is an investment, making the price of a system an important factor when choosing an installer. Homeowners should look for a company that offers high-quality equipment and leading warranties at a reasonable cost. Many solar companies also have multiple payment options to make it easier to go solar, including loans, leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Trustworthiness: Like any other home contractor, being able to trust your solar company is important. Company reputation is a key factor considering the initial cost of a solar system and their 20 to 25-year expected lifespan. A reliable installer will have the necessary registrations and licenses, ensure a high-quality installation and offer hassle-free support after the system installation.
- Available services: Your home may need other energy upgrades besides solar panels, including roof, electrical panel, HVAC, lighting or insulation upgrades. Or you may decide to combine your solar system with other purchases, like a solar battery, home security system or smart home management. If you are planning to go solar, it is a good idea to identify the other services you may need. Once you have a list, you can look for solar companies offering panel installation plus additional services.
Compare the Cost of Maine Solar Companies
At $2.92 per watt, the average cost of going solar in Maine is slightly higher than the national average of $2.85. Therefore, a typical 6 kilowatt (kW) system in the state can cost around $17,500 before you apply any incentives. The table below lists pricing and other important information for our picks for Maine’s best solar companies.
*Pricing data is based on responses to our March 2023 solar survey of 1,000 homeowners with 10 kW solar systems. Price information for Maine Solar Systems was sourced from the company website. We were unable to find cost data for ReVision Energy online.
Our Recommendation
With a variety of solar companies operating in Maine, homeowners have plenty of options to choose from when going solar. Customers looking for an experienced, national brand may prefer SunPower, Sunrun or ADT, while those interested in local expertise can go with Maine Solar or ReVision Energy.
Before signing a purchase agreement with an installer, we suggest requesting proposals from multiple installers and comparing details thoroughly.
Benefits of Going Solar in Maine
Whether you live in Portland, Bar Harbor or Augusta, there are multiple benefits to going solar in Maine.
- Electricity bill savings: Solar panels generate power from sunlight, reducing your reliance on grid power. Lower grid power consumption leads to a reduction in monthly electricity bills. Maine residents pay some of the highest electricity prices nationwide. As of March 2023, the average cost of electricity in Maine was 29.41 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) — nearly twice the national average of 15.85 cents per kWh. Therefore, homeowners can drastically reduce their monthly expenses by going solar in Maine.
- Protection from rising energy costs: The volatility of global fuel prices and other local factors have led to an increase in electricity rates in Maine. Between March 2022 and March 2023, power prices in the state climbed from 23.03 cents per kWh to 29.41 cents per kWh — a steep increase of more than 20%. By minimizing grid power usage and monthly utility bills, solar panels also minimize the impact of rising power prices.
- Positive environmental impact: Although a significant portion of Maine’s power comes from hydropower, wind turbines and other clean energy sources, nearly half of the state’s power is from fossil fuels. Unlike renewable energies, fossil power is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, solar power emits no harmful substances into the atmosphere by using sunlight — a clean and renewable energy source. A typical family using solar power can expect to offset thousands of pounds of carbon emissions over the lifetime of a typical system.
- Security against blackouts: Extreme weather events and resulting power outages are not uncommon in Maine. A report by the Associated Press found that Maine has seen record numbers of weather-related power outages in recent years. Blackouts lasting more than a few hours can be debilitating or even dangerous. Homes with solar panels and a battery backup system can keep essential appliances operational for multiple days when a power outage hits.
- Increased property value: Several studies have found that homes with solar panels sell for more than similar houses without solar. A study by Zillow reports that home prices increase by 4.1% on average after installing a solar energy system. Considering the average home price in Maine of $360,952, the increase in home value from solar comes to around $14,799 — a significant amount.
Maine Solar Incentives
Maine does not have a large number of solar incentives and rebates, but you can still save a substantial amount of money with the federal solar tax credit and available state programs.
Federal Incentives
The most beneficial incentive in Maine is the federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC). The credit allows homeowners to deduct up to 30% of their solar power system cost from their federal income tax burden. The ITC was recently extended thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and is available to U.S. taxpayers through 2032.
Statewide Incentives
In addition to the federal solar tax credit, Maine residents can also take advantage of the following state incentives.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Solar Companies
We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider’s score out of five stars. Here’s how we assessed each company:
- Cost and payment options (20 points): Companies that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earned full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points if they offer solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Services (20 points): Besides solar installations, companies offering backup battery and EV charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earned the most points in this category. We also allotted points to companies that completed all their installations in-house (as opposed to contracting out installers).
- Reputation (20 points): We considered each company’s Google star rating, BBB customer review rating, BBB customer complaint response rate and NABCEP certification status to award each company its reputation score.
- Warranty (15 points): We verified that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. Providers earned more points if their warranties were at or above the industry-standard length (10 years for workmanship and product warranties and 25 years for performance warranties).
- Customer Support (10 points): Solar companies that offered virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earned the most points in this category.
- Industry Experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earned a perfect score in this category.
- Sustainability (5 points): Companies with a detailed sustainability statement, ESG disclosures, end-of-life panel disposal programs and community partnerships earned all five points in this category.
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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