Solar Panels Portland Maine | Solar Power Portland Maine

There is a lot to learn when making the decision to invest in a renewable energy system for your home or business. Our goal is to guide you through the process of determining if a renewable energy system makes sense for you. We offer a consultative approach focusing on communicating clearly and providing the information you need to make an informed decision.

To help guide you on your solar journey, we listed answers to our most frequently asked questions below. As you review, please do not hesitate to contact our team directly if more questions arise.

The Homeowner’s Guide To Going Solar In Maine

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This resource answers the most common questions we receive about solar energy installations in Maine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Maine Solar Solutions?

There are many choices when switching to solar; what sets us apart?

Maine Solar Solutions was founded in 2012 by owner Sam Zuckerman.

Maine Solar Solutions is a Maine-based business with an office in Freeport and a warehouse in Brunswick. All of our employees live and work in Maine.

Our entire staff, from solar consultants to installers, is based in Maine and serves only the state of Maine. This means our team are experts in the solar installation details specific to our state, like permitting and roofline setbacks which can vary from town to town. It also means we are committed to you as our friends and neighbors. We are Maine-based and Maine only.

Additionally, we offer Maine’s longest solar warranty with every solar proposal, a 30-year promise to our customers that our parts and workmanship will stand the test of time.

Solar Cost, Savings, And Ways To Pay

What is the average cost of solar in Maine? Will it help me save money? Do you provide financing?

Your system’s cost is determined by factors such as current electrical usage, the percentage of your usage that you wish to offset, equipment choices, and your budget. We will gather information during your free site evaluation and, if appropriate, present a couple of different options.

The average home in Maine uses between 9,000 kWh and 12,800 kWh of electricity annually. The cost for a grid-tied, rooftop solar electric system designed to cover this electricity usage would have a direct purchase price between $20,841 and $27,267. Once the 30% tax credit is factored in, the net purchase price would range between $14,589 and $19,087. Pricing estimates assume an unshaded, south-facing roof with a 35-degree roof pitch. Production levels and costs will vary depending on your free site assessment findings.

Most homeowners can see a payback or return on investment (ROI) in as few as 7 to 12 years. Your solar array immediately protects you from rising electrical rates; your ROI improves as those increase each year. Check out our Solar Pricing page for a deeper dive into solar pricing.

Your annual electric bill will go down. How much you save will depend on the size of your system and the percentage of your electrical usage that you wish to offset. Your solar consultant will review your savings during your free consultation so you can make a decision that makes financial sense for you.

Solar is cleaner and less expensive than power from the utility company. It is a smart financial investment because you will save on electrical costs for years to come and increase your home value.

Our customers who purchase their system typically see a strong return on investment (ROI) and expect to recoup their solar system investment within 7-12 years. After the system has paid for itself, it continues to pay by providing free electricity.

As electrical utility rates rise, your solar investment becomes even more valuable, and your property’s value also increases!

Buyers see the benefits of buying a home that can generate its own electricity, so installing solar panels can help you sell your home faster and likely at a significantly higher price. In a study by Lawrence Berkeley Labs, homebuyers were willing to pay a premium of $15,000 more for a home with an average-sized solar system.

For people who’ve wanted to go solar but found upfront price an obstacle – Maine Solar Solutions offers solar loans for no money down through various lenders. Customers’ monthly payments end up being the same or lower than their current electric bill.

Many of our clients also finance their systems with home equity loans or with home refinancing.

By following this link, you can learn more about financing options and the other ways to pay for solar panels in Maine.

How Does Solar Work?

Does Maine get enough sun for solar? What is net metering? This section gives an overview of how solar works.

Yes, Maine receives enough sun to make solar PV effective and affordable. Germany is the world leader in solar installations; Maine receives nearly 20% more sunlight annually than Germany.

Solar panels convert energy from the sun into Direct Current (DC) electricity.
That DC electricity travels to an inverter where it is converted into the Alternating Current (AC) electricity used in your home.
The inverter delivers the AC electricity to your electrical panel, where it is distributed to electrical loads throughout your home.
Your home uses the solar produced electricity but still has access to electricity from the grid during high demand or at night.we gatheredytime when your system is producing power, any electrical demands in your home are satisfied by the electricity that you produce first.
If your home’s demand is greater than the amount of electricity being produced on the roof (such as during the evening or inclement weather), the electric utility, or grid, will provide the rest.

On the other hand, if your system’s electrical production is greater than your home’s electrical demand, the excess power is sent out on the grid, building up credit.

At the end of your billing period, your electric provider will subtract the energy you put out on the grid from the energy that you imported from the grid and charge you for the difference. This is called net metering.

Net metering is a purchasing agreement between you and the electric utility (Central Maine Power (CMP), for example) that allows you to receive credit for excess energy that your solar array may produce.

Net metering is a simple concept; power created from your solar system is connected to the electric grid and credited in real time. Any excess power created by the solar system that you are not using at that moment, is fed back into the power grid.

As this excess power is ‘back-fed,’ your meter operates in reverse. CMP subtracts the excess kW hours you produce from the kW hours you get from the grid and only charges for the “net” electricity you receive from the grid.

Typically, energy credits that are built up during the day are “traded in” at night. Not only are credits built up and “cashed in” daily, but credits are accrued and credited on a rolling 12-month period, allowing greater summertime electricity production to offset greater wintertime use.

Here in Maine, people frequently ask how much of an impact snow will have on a solar electric system’s performance.

Snow on solar panels will reduce or eliminate a system’s production. However, snow tends to clear quickly off of solar panels.

Solar panels tend to behave like metal roofs during snowfalls. Even when snow sticks to the panels, it will typically melt or slide off quickly once the sun comes out.

Even if you lose a few days of production due to snow on the panels, the loss will be a very small percentage of annual electricity production. Loss of production on a short winter day is more than made up by the high production that occurs during the longer, sunnier days of late winter, spring, and summer.

If your solar panels do get covered in snow, we do not recommend raking snow off solar panels. Removing snow can be dangerous, and there is a risk that you may damage your solar panels and void your panel’s warranty.

Solar panels warm quickly under the sun, so we recommend patience; allow the sun to clear your solar panels.

We specify Solar panels that are designed to withstand heavy snow loads—so there’s no need for concern that snow accumulation will damage your panels.

Types Of Solar Electric Systems

This section answers questions about what type of solar electric system will work best for you and where solar panels get placed.

Most of our customers install grid-tied PV systems. Grid-tied systems allow for seamless integration with your utilities’ electricity supply. This allows you to net meter your energy production, ensuring that all of the electricity your system produces offsets your usage.

Maine Solar Solutions offers grid-tied systems with battery backup and off-grid systems for clients who desire a battery backup system.

South-facing is best, but solar panels installed facing southeast, or southwest can generate a very high percentage (>90%) of energy compared to a south-facing solar array.

During our site evaluation, we will determine how much of your roof is shaded throughout the year. We can factor this into your estimated electricity production.

We offer system designs that work effectively to provide maximum performance from partially shaded arrays.

We assess your roof’s condition as part of our site survey. A typical three-tab asphalt shingle roof will last an average of 20 years. Architectural shingles can be warranted for 30 to 50 years. Most roofers can replace shingles around a solar array.

Installing a PV array will shade the underlying roof, protecting it from damaging sunlight and weather and possibly extending the roof’s lifespan. If we determine that your roof needs replacement, we can refer you to a trusted roofing contractor.

No. There are other options, such as a ground mount or wall-mounted awning systems. Mounting on a garage, barn, or outbuilding is also an option.

Ground mounts are a good option if your roof is not properly oriented, is heavily shaded, or does not want to install solar panels on your roof.

With a ground-mounted system, you may either have fixed panels or trackers, which move on two axises to be oriented to the sun throughout the day and year.

Maine Solar Solutions offers our customers a variety of different solar panel options. Solar panels differ in their wattage, size, efficiency, appearance, and cost.

Larger solar panels typically have the highest wattage and are often the least expensive. However, depending on the size of your roof, a smaller, lower-wattage solar panel may allow you to fit more panels on the roof and yield a larger system size.

And, of course, aesthetics are a consideration when choosing solar panels. Some homeowners prefer an all-black panel as an alternative to a panel with silver frames and a more traditional grid-like appearance.

When we meet with you to review your solar proposal, we’ll show you 3 or 4 panel options and their comparative costs and take the time to explain the differences between them. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

We select our solar panels based on several factors, such as the manufacturer’s reputation, product availability, quality history, and the company’s financial standing. View more about panel choices here.

Solar electric panels produce electricity. If you heat your home with heat pumps, electric heaters, or a geothermal system, then a solar electric system can provide the electricity to run those heat sources.

Many of our customers leverage their investment in a solar electric system by installing heat pumps for space heating or heat pump hot water heaters for heating hot water. Their solar electric system produces the power needed to run these systems, and they can reduce or eliminate the use of expensive oil or natural gas.

During your free solar assessment, we are happy to explain how heat pumps coupled with solar can reduce your payback time, reduce your energy bills, and fix the cost of operating your home.

If you’re building a home and thinking about going solar, there’s no better time to install solar than during construction.

With a properly sized system, you can eliminate the cost of buying electricity to power your home. And with many new homes being built as all-electric, with heat pumps for heating and hot water, it’s possible to have a home with no utility bills. Including the cost of solar in your mortgage can allow you to fix the cost of owning and operating your home.

When sizing a solar electric system for a new home, we consider the home’s size and the type of heating and hot water systems you will have and propose a system sized for easy expansion.

That way, you can live in the house for a year or so, and then if you find that you’re not quite offsetting all of your electricity consumption, we can work with you to determine how many more panels will be needed to offset your electric bill fully.

Installing solar when building a new home is a great investment!

Battery Backup And Solar

A grid-tied solar electric system will not provide backup power during a power outage. We offer battery systems for customers seeking to add a backup power source to their grid-tied solar electric system.

Most grid-tied systems are designed to shut off automatically during power outages when the grid goes down. When power returns, your system will restart automatically. For customers interested in investing in a battery-based PV system, we can design and install a grid-tied battery backup that will allow them to power certain electrical loads in your home during a power outage.

A common question people have is whether they need to install batteries when they have a grid-tied solar electric system. People also ask if their solar electric system will provide backup power during a power outage.

Grid-tied solar electric systems don’t require batteries to operate. In fact, the majority of solar electric systems are installed without batteries.

However, grid-tied systems without batteries are designed to shut down automatically during power outages. This protects the system from delivering power out to the grid, where it could endanger line workers. This means a grid-tied solar electric system does not provide backup power during an outage.

Adding a battery to your solar electric system gives you the ability to have backup power during power outages. And during an outage, the solar electric system is available to recharge the batteries when it is sunny.

Most battery backup systems are designed to power “critical” electrical loads during an outage. Critical loads typically include the refrigerator, well pump, boiler, lights, and plug loads such as cell phone chargers. Larger battery systems can run additional loads or extend the battery’s run time.

Grid-tied PV systems do not require batteries. Maine Solar Solutions does offer a grid-tied battery backup system, including Tesla Powerwalls, in addition to true off-grid systems. Still, a grid-tied system with battery backup offers most customers the best value and performance.

Maine Solar Solutions offers grid-tied systems with battery backup and off-grid systems for clients who are not connected to utility providers. We install both traditional lead-acid battery systems and lithium-ion battery systems.

Maine Solar Solutions is proud to be certified to sell and install the Tesla Powerwall in Maine. We are also a Tesla Solar Panel Certified Installer in Maine.

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This free resource is packed with answers to the most common questions we receive about Tesla Powerwall, including specs, how battery storage + solar work, costs, and more!

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Maine homeowners with a Tesla Powerwall can participate in a rewarding program that allows them to earn significant annual rewards by discharging power from their battery during peak demand periods. By joining the Small Battery Demand Management Program, participants can earn $100 per kW discharged during demand response events, which is paid annually in December. This can amount to over $300 annually for each Powerwall enrolled.

Participants benefit financially and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient power grid while maintaining the self-powered and emergency backup capabilities of their Tesla Powerwall. To be eligible, you must reside in Maine, own a Tesla Powerwall, and have a Tesla Power installed. Enrollment is open through May 31, 2024, to ensure full participation in this summer’s demand response events.

Once your Powerwall is installed, you can easily enroll via the Tesla App. During the hottest days, your Powerwall will automatically discharge to help reduce grid stress and secure your rewards. Join us in supporting sustainable energy management and get rewarded for your contribution!

Our team continuously evaluates the best technology to offer the most reliable and cost-effective energy storage solutions. We tailor each solar battery solution for your home or business’s energy storage needs and offer a variety of batteries, including traditional lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion. The most popular option among our grid-tied solar customers is the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based Tesla Powerwall, and we also install SolarEdge Home Battery systems and Sol-Ark systems. Our solar consultants will discuss your options during your consultation.

We design a manual or automatic PV system shut-off for customers with generators based on your generator type.

System Sizing And Our Process

How do we determine your system size, and what happens at your free solar site assessment?

During our free site evaluation, we will work with you to determine what size system will meet your needs. Every home is different, so the size of your system will depend on your energy needs, available space, and budget.

Residential solar power systems are typically 3 to 10 kW. Based on the information we gathered during our site evaluation, we will custom design a solar power system to meet your specific needs and offset as much of your utility bill as you desire.

For a rooftop solar array, we will conduct an onsite assessment of your roof using onsite drone technology to determine its pitch and orientation and perform a thorough shade reading and roof measurement.

If a ground mount is desired or determined to be the best option, we will suggest array locations and educate you about fixed versus tracking solar arrays.

Information gathered at your home is used to design a system sized to oﬀset your annual electricity usage. You can schedule your free solar site assessment here.

For a rooftop solar array, we will conduct an on-site assessment of your roof to determine its pitch and orientation and perform a thorough shade reading and roof measurement using drone technology. We will then take that data back to the office to design your system. We will also schedule a virtual meeting, during which your solar consultant will present you with a customized preliminary solar proposal.

It is important to avoid companies that market a one-size-fits-all system. Relying solely on Google Maps is not the best option and should only be used as a starting point. Any installer should be willing to visit your site and then educate you about your options. A solar installer must design your system size based on your site and surroundings. How much shading is present? What aesthetics do you have in mind for the array? What is the precise size and orientation of the roof? An onsite assessment is also the only way to get the best analysis of your roof structure, its overall condition, and its age. With these details in mind, they can specifically design an appropriate solar electric system for you and your home.

Your installer should consider these and other factors to determine what equipment is necessary upfront. A solar electric system designed for your unique site will maximize your system’s performance so you can get the greatest return on investment.

Solar systems are designed to oﬀset your annual electricity usage. We review your latest electric bill and calculate your annual electricity consumption. Then we take into account potential changes to your future electricity usage. For example, many of our customers install heat pumps and heat-pump hot water heaters to reduce their use of expensive fossil fuels. Are you planning to purchase an electric vehicle? Considering a pool or hot tub? If so, it may make sense to design a system that allows for easy expansion if and when your usage increases.

When sizing a home’s solar system, we typically look at the homeowner’s historic electric bills to understand their energy needs. The information won’t be available for a new home, but we can still gather other details to estimate your energy consumption and appropriately size the solar system. During our intro call, we will discuss your desired electrical and mechanical systems and how solar might fit into the home’s design. We will also likely address any potential shading with a visit to your site.

Adding panels to an existing solar array is easy if you have room for more panels.

Many of our solar customers return to us after a few years, asking if they can add more panels to their systems. Many of our customers have increased their electricity usage by installing heat pumps, heat pump hot water heaters, and even electric car chargers at their homes.

Adding panels to an existing solar electric system is easy as long as there is room on the roof to do so.

When you first install your solar electric system, we’ll typically recommend installing a larger inverter to allow for easy system expansion in the future. But even if your inverter’s capacity is maxed out, you can add a second inverter with additional panels to increase your system size.

Whether Maine Solar or another solar company installed your system, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to discuss adding panels to your system.

Rebates And Incentives To Go Solar

Learn more about the federal solar tax credit and other benefits of solar energy.

Solar photovoltaic and battery backup systems qualify for a 30% federal tax credit until 2032. This credit is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit and will reduce the amount of tax owed by the system owner before any deductions are applied.

The tax credit then steps down according to the following schedule:

26 percent for solar and battery backup projects in 2033
22 percent for solar and battery backup projects in 2034
After 2034, the federal solar tax credit is set to expire.

For more details, visit our solar electric tax credit page.

Yes! The Rural Energy for America Program, better known as the REAP Grant, provides grant funding to rural small businesses and agricultural producers across the United States to implement renewable energy system. To see if you qualify, visit our REAP Grant page.

Absolutely! Maine Solar Solutions recognizes the exceptional sacrifices and efforts of those who serve in our armed forces, and we wish to support local heroes for their service. This program is for veterans, active duty service members, and reserves who would like to purchase a solar energy system. We offer a $500 discount on a solar electric system (1-lifetime max per customer for each discount).

NOTE: This discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Current customers can utilize the discount within 60 days of their contract date. Please have identification available to verify your military status upon inquiry.

Maintenance And Warranties

The good news is that grid-tied solar electric systems require little maintenance during their
lifespan and have great warranties.

Most solar panels’ production performance is guaranteed for 25 years, and we offer our customers Maine’s first 30-year solar warranty but keep in mind that panels will continue to produce electricity for longer making it a great long-term investment. As they naturally degrade over time, or if you add more electricity to your home, such as installing heat pumps or an electric car, we can expand your system to cover the added electricity or degradation from your panels.

Maine Solar Solutions proudly oﬀers Maine’s
first 30-year solar warranty, setting a new
standard in energy investment protection.

This industry-leading warranty covers
essential components, including solar panels,
inverters, and optimizers, as well as labor, roof
penetration, and remote monitoring, ensuring
comprehensive protection for your solar
system. Our warranty reﬂects our confidence in
the durability and performance of our products
and services, oﬀering you peace of mind and
securing your investment for decades to come.

In addition to extensive coverage, this warranty
is designed to enhance the value of your
property and support your journey toward
energy independence without any additional
cost.

Also, most solar panel manufacturers guarantee their panels’ electrical production to be 85-92% of the original performance at the end of the manufacturer’s warranty period. During our solar assessment, we will review each manufacturer’s energy production warranty so you can make the best decision for yourself.

The good news is that grid-tied solar electric
systems require little maintenance during their
lifespan to keep your solar system running.
Plus, if something goes wrong, there is a good chance
your panel manufacturer or our industry-leading 30-year warranty will cover it. You don’t even have to worry about cleaning your panels in most cases!

On top of our 30-year warranty, our grid-tied installations also include system monitoring so you can watch the entire array and each panel’s output information on your desktop or your phone so that you can watch output information and alerts in case of a problem.

We recommend that our customers tell their homeowners insurance about their solar panels to cover them under their existing policy.

Installing Your Solar Electric System

The good news is that grid-tied solar electric systems require little maintenance during their
lifespan and have excellent warranties.

The actual installation is an exciting day and
surprisingly straightforward. Your Maine Solar
Solutions team will arrive and get right to work.
Some team members will work on installing your new panels, and others will take care of all the grid and electrical work. Though most of the work is performed
outside, we will need access to your electrical
panel to connect the solar system to your
home. After the team installs and connects
the new solar panels, the lead on your project
will show you your new system and answer
any questions.

No. We always use an industry-standard flashed attachment point with our installations, protecting the integrity of your roof and ensuring a waterproof connection.

Most residential solar electric system installs take one or two days. Ground mount systems and larger systems can take longer.

On the morning of your solar installation, the job supervisor and electrician will meet with you to review the installation location and gain access to your home. Your system will be fully operational by the end of the installation. It usually takes a week to get your system registered online so that you can access the system monitoring app on your phone or web browser.

We usually schedule our installations on a first-come, first-served basis; however, installations can be scheduled for specific blocks of time. Needless to say, inclement weather may impact our installation schedule.

Ready For The Next Step?

Our process makes it simple to make the switch to solar. Your free consultation will include an onsite assessment, a customized system design with solar panel options, and a range of pricing to fit your energy goals and budget.

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