Maine is progressively embracing solar power as part of its long-term energy strategy. Guided by the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), Maine aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050. This goal reflects the state’s commitment to reducing escalating electricity costs, which are higher than the national average, and transitioning to sustainable energy sources.
To help Mainers make an informed decision about solar energy, our team spent 60 hours researching the best solar companies in Maine. In this guide, we’ll recommend reliable local installers and share essential tips for choosing the right solar provider for your home.
Compare Solar Installers in Maine
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Venture SolarRead Our Review |  | A+ | |
Summit Energy |  | A+ | |
Maine Solar Solutions |  | A+ | |
Sundog Solar |  | A+ |
Maine’s Top Solar Energy Companies
These are the best solar companies in Maine, according to our research and ranking methodology.
- Venture Solar: Best Northeast Regional Installer
- Summit Energy: Best Regional Maine Installer
- Maine Solar Solutions: Best Full-Service Maine Installer
- Sundog Solar: Best Local Maine Installer
Our Top Picks for Solar Installers in Maine
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-efficiency solar panels through SunPower
- System monitoring via smart devices and computer
- Two-month installation turnaround, per the company
Cons
- Limited panel selection
- Phone number required for online quotes
- No solar battery options
Why We Chose Venture Solar
Venture Solar focuses on a smaller regional coverage area to provide a more personalized experience. As a SunPower dealer, the company offers high-efficiency solar panels with higher-than-average energy production. These all-black panels blend into most roof designs, providing a more inconspicuous rooftop installation. Additional protection includes critter guards to keep pests away from your system.
Venture completes its installation with in-house teams, leading to a quicker and cleaner process. The company uses drone footage for its roofing assessments for improved measurements. Venture Solar states its installations take one day to complete, with an average two-month timeframe from design to activation.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Venture Solar includes a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty covering service, parts, and power output.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
Reputation and Awards
The company maintains an A+ rating with the BBB but is not accredited. Customers praised Venture Solar for its courteous and knowledgeable sales team, but some cited cases of numerous failed inspections due to project issues.
Summit Energy
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 30-year warranty coverage for parts, labor, and roof penetrations
- Rooftop solar and three ground-mount panel configurations
- System monitoring included with each project
Cons
- Company is less than 10 years old
- Limited service personnel options, per customer reviews
- Unclear details about linear performance coverage
Why We Chose Summit Energy
Summit Energy offers one of the longest system protection plans available, offering peace of mind for Maine residents. The company partners with several leading panel manufacturers, such as Canadian Solar, REC, and Trina Solar. Summit Energy offers multiple panel configurations, such as rooftop, ground-mount, pole-mount, and SmartFlower solar installations.
Each system includes 30 years of system monitoring through the company’s dedicated app. Additional benefits include transferable system ownership, warranty coverage, and a simplified online claims process.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Summit Energy includes 30 years of coverage for parts, labor, roof leaks, and system monitoring.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ PPAs
Reputation and Awards
Summit Energy has an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited by the organization. While reading customer reviews, we learned that homeowners liked the company’s quick installation process and knowledgeable employees but noted no system servicing support.
Maine Solar Solutions
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Community solar assistance and installations
- Grid-tied and off-grid solar installations
- Service discount for active and retired military personnel
Cons
- Only one battery option offered
- Smaller product catalog than other local installers
- Workmanship warranty falls below the industry average
Why We Chose Maine Solar Solutions
Maine Solar Solutions provides a one-stop shop for solar customers, offering several installation options to meet your needs. The company specializes in grid-tied and off-grid projects, allowing residents to choose their preferred level of energy independence. If solar panels won’t work for your home, the company provides alternative community solar assistance and activation to help you save with solar energy.
Additional upgrades include Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and Tesla Powerwall solar batteries. Although the company no longer installs heat pumps, it partners with local installers to help customers upgrade their HVAC systems.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Maine Solar Solutions protects its systems with a 25-year manufacturer and 10-year workmanship warranty.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
Maine Solar Solutions holds certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and Efficiency Maine. The company was Maine’s first Tesla solar panel installer and is one of the few certified Powerwall installers in the state.
Maine Solar Solutions carries an A+ rating from the BBB but is not accredited. The company received mainly 5-star reviews across multiple review sites. Customers liked the company’s seamless installation process, transparency, and efficient custom solar projects.
Sundog Solar
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large selections of solar panels, inverters, and batteries
- Family-owned and operated business
- Rooftop solar and off-grid installations available
Cons
- Short five-year workmanship warranty
- Limited solar financing options
- Manufacturer coverage varies by solar panel
Why We Chose Sundog Solar
Sundog Solar is a great choice for customers seeking the best customization options. The company offers an extensive product catalog of leading solar brands, such as REC, Q Cells, Solaria, and Tesla. Sundog Solar offers inverters from Enphase, SMA Solar, and SolarEdge, among others. Homeowners can pair rooftop or off-grid installations with solar batteries from Tesla, Sonnen, LG, and other top manufacturers.
Sundog Solar uses an in-house team of NABCEP-certified installers and licensed electricians for each project. The company is a certified Efficiency Maine Qualified Contractor and offers additional energy efficiency upgrades, such as heat pumps and solar water heaters.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Sundog Solar offers a 25-year performance warranty plus five years of workmanship coverage. Equipment warranties come with the solar panels but vary based on the manufacturer.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ PPAs
Reputation and Awards
Sundog Solar holds an A+ rating with the BBB but is not accredited. When analyzing customer reviews, we noted that residents appreciated the high-quality equipment and overall professionalism but mentioned issues with contacting the company after installation.
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Maine?
While it’s aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2050, Maine’s solar incentives for residents are limited. However, homeowners in Maine can save money on their solar panel installation costs through the following federal and statewide programs.
- Federal solar investment tax credit (ITC): This national program covers 30% of solar photovoltaic (PV) panel system costs via a federal tax credit. The ITC applies to PV panels, battery storage systems, wiring, solar shingles, and other balance-of-system components. It’s available to system owners who purchased solar outright using cash or a loan. Leesees and power purchase agreement (PPA) subscribers are not eligible to receive the ITC. We recommend consulting a tax professional for specific questions about your eligibility.
- Solar and wind energy equipment exemption: Maine’s solar and wind energy equipment exemption eliminates the additional property taxes on increased home value from a residential solar panel system. It automatically applies, so no additional application is required to receive this financial incentive.
- Net energy billing credit: Offered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), this net metering program allows utility customers to receive bill credits for sending excess renewable energy their systems generate back to the power grid. This credit accumulates in each customer’s account and reduces overall energy costs. The program provides credits at the full retail electricity rate, offering the best savings to customers. We recommend working closely with your solar installer and utility company to ensure program eligibility and interconnection requirements.
Maine will continue to introduce solar incentives as it pursues its 100% renewable energy goal. We recommend checking DSIRE for complete details on current and future solar incentives.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
When considering a solar installation company, compare the following key features to find the best provider for your needs.
Solar Services
Considers solar panel companies that use in-house installers for their solar panel and solar battery installations. These companies maintain a higher installation quality and have direct customer communication. Some installers use third-party contracts for solar projects involving various local installers. Maintaining installation quality with each remote team is hard, which could lead to improper installations. In addition, you’ll have a separate solar company contact, which could complicate communication. We recommend using solar providers with in-house installation teams.
Additional solar services include system monitoring and dedicated apps that provide insight into panel performance. The software details system health, average energy use, and panel or system problems. These services may be free or require additional subscription fees. Some solar providers include energy efficiency audits before an installation to find any energy leaks or issues. This service helps improve your home’s overall efficiency, resulting in better energy savings and solar system performance.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
Your solar panel system should include manufacturer and workmanship warranties. The manufacturer (or product) warranty covers your system for manufacturing defects or issues. With workmanship coverage, you have protection against installation-related issues. Our research found that the highest-efficiency residential solar panels include manufacturer coverage for 25 years or longer. This coverage length aligns with the average solar panel life span. Workmanship coverage varies between installers, though the industry standard is 15 years. Having product and workmanship match the estimated panel life span is ideal.
Some solar companies include power production guarantees to outline expected panel performance. Over time, solar panels lose their efficiency by as much as 0.5% per year. Installers include these policies to guarantee solar electric production to account for this gradual panel degradation. Most providers will repair or upgrade your panels if they fall below these production levels. In rare instances, the installer will provide monetary compensation for failed production levels. Coverage varies between installers but may last as little as two years and up to 30 years. We recommend selecting solar systems with long-term production guarantees.
Payment Options
We recommend up-front cash payments or solar loans to maximize your solar investment. Both solar financing options offer the best return on investment (ROI) and make you the legal system owner. Most solar incentives and rebates require legal ownership as a qualification. Other payment options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), keep panel ownership with the solar provider. This disqualifies you from additional cost savings and offers little long-term financial benefit. We don’t recommend these payment options unless you’re not interested in panel ownership.
Customer Support
Solar companies should offer two or more contact options for customer support. Most companies offer phone, email, or online forms. Additional options include in-app messaging, SMS, or online chat. When our team tested online chats, we got mixed results. Some chats connected to a live rep, while others used automated responses. We also recommend checking customer reviews for mentions of customer support issues. During our company research, we noticed recurring issues, such as unreturned phone calls, delayed responses, or unhelpful representatives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Maine
Getting a solar quote doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s a simple guide to navigating the process in Maine.
Step 1: Initiate Contact
Start by reaching out to two to three solar installers. Confirm that they service your area and provide a free quote. Most companies offer options for starting a quote, from online forms to over-the-phone or in-person consultations.
Our research showed that 36% of top providers offer online estimates, while 21% of companies walk you through the process over the phone. We also observed that 71% of them don’t require an in-person consultation or site visit to provide their initial quotes.
Step 2: Schedule a Solar Consultation
After your initial contact, the installer will schedule a more in-depth consultation to build you a custom solar system. The installer will often handle this step over email or a phone call. Most take place virtually, meaning you must conduct your own shade evaluation and supply copies of your recent electric bill.
Step 3: Consult and Review
Here’s what you can expect during your consultation:
- Energy bill analysis: You’ll be asked to provide your typical utility bill or an estimate of monthly energy use. Some installers will ask for a photo of your breaker panel to see your utility lines; they may also want to review how solar-friendly your roof is using tools like Google Project Sunroof.
- System design: Your installer will explain which types of solar panel systems align with your energy needs, your home’s access to sunlight, and the payback period for each system. A solar payback period is how long it takes a solar system to yield an ROI (return on investment). Most homes in Maine see an average solar payback period of 10–15 years.
- Finalize the proposal: Based on your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed solar quote that outlines each feature and its associated costs. Before agreeing to any installation, review the estimated cost range, financing options, and warranties offered.
Step 4: Compare Solar Quotes
Getting more than one quote can help you feel confident you’ve paid a fair price for your solar system. When reviewing your proposals, look for costs between $2.50 and $3.50 per watt, the average price range for solar panels nationwide. Determine whether solar panels are worth the cost where you live, as installation prices and savings can significantly change by location.
Our Conclusion
We recommend getting at least three quotes before committing to a provider. Review each installer’s product selection, pricing, financing options, and warranty coverage.
Other Maine Home Service Resources
FAQs About Solar Companies in Maine
Are solar panels worth it in ME?
Yes, installing solar is worth it in Maine due to the above-average electricity rates and the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. Moving to cheaper solar energy will help reduce your electricity costs and support Maine’s pursuit of 100% clean energy generation by 2050.
Can you sell electricity back to the grid in ME?
Yes, you can sell electricity back to the Maine grid through the state’s net-energy billing (or net-metering) program. Homeowners receive electricity bill credits at the retail electricity rate, making this a favorable program. Contact your utility company for more details on net-energy billing.
Does Maine offer a state solar tax credit?
No, Maine does not currently have a state solar tax credit. However, you can use the federal solar credit for 30% off installation costs. The credit applies to your federal tax liability and may help eliminate them.
What is the average electricity rate in Maine?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost of Maine electricity was 29 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in March 2023. The state has the third-highest electricity rate in the New England region, behind Connecticut and Massachusetts. This rate is nearly twice the country’s 15-cent average.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
