Join us as we cover local solar energy news on development, policy, and our business.
Media Inquiries:
As a major player in Maine’s solar industry, we’re happy to schedule interviews with our solar energy experts or provide information for articles or news segments. Collaboration opportunities are also available. To get in touch, please fill out the form below or contact Heather Hodgkins at [email protected] or (207) 871-7191.
Maine Solar Solutions In The News
2024
Maine solar installers join forces on workforce development
Maine’s solar industry is addressing workforce challenges by training new electricians as baby boomers, making up 28% of the state’s population, retire. ReVision Energy, with its Dept. of Labor-registered ReVision Electrical Apprenticeship Program (REEAP), and Maine Solar Solutions, with its newly approved apprenticeship program, are leading these efforts. The collaborative approach, supported by state policies, aims to grow the solar workforce and industry. For the full article, click here.
Maine Solar Solutions Takes Top Spot (Again!) on 2024 Top Solar Contractors List!
We have some exciting news to share with our community! Maine Solar Solutions has made a significant leap, ranking No. 208 in the nation on Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors List—a five-position increase from last year!! Read more >>
Maine Solar Solutions to offer a 30-year warranty covering components, labor
Solar Power World picked up our 30-year warranty for having the first long-term warranty offered by a solar installer in Maine. You can learn more about our warranty here.
Biddeford Boat Yard Switches To Solar With Maine Solar Solutions!
Saco Bay Marine, LLC went solar! We were excited to not only install a 1.9 KW solar array on their Rumery building but also assist them in winning $28,000 for a USDA REAP Grant.
2023
Maine Solar Solutions Takes Top Spot on 2023 Top Solar Contractors List!
Solar Power World named Maine Solar Solutions one of the Top Solar Contractors for 2023! The list is the most recognized annual listing of the top U.S. solar contractors working in the utility, commercial, and residential markets. We are proud to be recognized in this way again! Read more >>
Solar Power Is Growing in Maine. Here’s What You Should Know About Pricing and Incentives
Solar panels can help Maine residents save money on high energy bills. Discover how you can take advantage of lower solar costs in Maine.
2022
Maine Solar Solutions Partners with Habitat for Humanity
Maine Solar Solutions has partnered with Habitat for Humanity York County to provide solar panels for a home in Cape Porpoise, a community within Kennebunkport. The new house was outfitted with more than a dozen solar panels. The panels and installation were donated by Maine Solar Solutions of Freeport. This first collaboration with Habitat for Humanity was done in part to celebrate Maine Solar Solutions’ tenth anniversary. While residential solar projects vary in cost, the full donation is valued at more than $10,000. The success of this project has led both organizations to discuss potential future projects and collaborations. Read the full article >>
Maine Solar Solutions was recently interviewed alongside Nate Burdick, owner of Upwards Organics by Beer & Weed magazine. Nate is charting a course to sustainability in cannabis cultivation (an otherwise not very carbon-friendly business). We will be adding more solar panels to his building in September. Upward Organics is the first cannabis business Maine Solar Solutions has helped in this way, but hopefully, it won’t be the last! Read the full article >>
Solar Tax Credit Returns to 30% With A 10-year Extension!
The newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act returns the Federal Solar Tax credit to 30% and extends it for ten years! Systems installed during 2022 will qualify for this higher 30% solar tax credit. This tax credit applies to solar electric systems, solar plus battery back-up, and, for the first time, it also applies to stand-alone battery systems! Learn more >>
Maine Solar Solutions Takes Top Spot on 2022 Top Solar Contractors List!
Solar Power World named Maine Solar Solutions one of the Top Solar Contractors for 2022! The list is the most recognized annual listing of the top U.S. solar contractors working in the utility, commercial, and residential markets. We are proud to be recognized in this way again! Read more >>
Maine Coast Waldorf School and Maine Solar Solutions team up
We are excited to announce a new partnership with MCWS that will benefit the school and our environment. Starting today, anyone in the Maine Coast Waldorf community can take advantage of a new affiliate program, SunRaising for Maine Coast Waldorf School, which raises money for MCWS while incentivizing community members to switch to solar power. You can read the announcement here or learn more about the program by clicking here.
Here Comes the Sun: Solar Power Taking Maine by Storm
Maine Seniors Magazine recently interviewed Maine Solar Solutions owner Sam Zuckerman about the growth of solar in Maine and why now is the best time to get solar installed. Read the full story here.
2021
So, What’s Up at Maine Solar Solutions This Summer?
Green Energy Times featured two of our commercial installs in their recent newsletter: Service Master and Replenova Farm. You can read about their projects in their online newsletter here.
ServiceMaster Goes Solar With Maine Solar Solutions
Maine Solar Solutions recently completed the installation of a 49.59 kilowatt (kW) solar electric installation at ServiceMaster in Auburn, Maine. By harnessing the sun’s power, this local business has increased the sustainability of its operations while also reducing its annual operating costs.
People of the 10th anniversary Top Solar Contractors list: Kristin Thomason, Maine Solar Solutions
For the 10th anniversary of the Top Solar Contractors list, Solar Power World conducted some Q&As with the people who make the solar industry run every day. We are excited to share (though not surprised) that our very own Kristin Thomason was selected to represent the industry as an installer. If you met Kristin, you know why. Not only is her work as an installer top-notch, but she never hesitates to go above and beyond for our customers and the community as well. Congratulations, Kristin!
Maine Solar Solutions once again makes the Top Solar Contractors List!
Solar Power World named Maine Solar Solutions as one of the Top Solar Contractors for 2021! The list is the most recognized annual listing of the top U.S. solar contractors working in the utility, commercial and residential markets. We are proud to be recognized in this way again!
Regulators approve double-digit rate hike for CMP customers
Central Maine Power customers will see their bills increase by more than 10 percent on Aug. 1. The rate change will show an increase of 11.5 percent, or about $10 in the average total bill for residential CMP customers, according to the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
$13 a month for heat and electricity. A tale of two solar converts.
Congrats to Maine Solar Solutions customer Replenova Farm for being featured as a “solar convert” in the news! Saving over 48,938 lbs of carbon every year aligns nicely with their mission of using sustainable farming practices and always prioritizing their community.
2020
Solar investment tax credit extended at 26% for two additional years
The federal tax credit on solar (and solar+storage) was signed and will remain at 26% for an additional two years. This is a huge win for the solar industry and will help keep solar costs low – which is great news for home and business owners installing solar. Learn more about the tax credit.
USDA providing $1M to help Maine organizations with lowering energy costs
Last year we submitted three applications to the USDA Rural Development team to earn REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) Grants for small businesses to go solar. This year we’re thrilled to announce all 3 of the projects we submitted won!
Referrals are a positive side effect of strong solar customer relationships
We are excited to be part of the article written by Solar Power World. The article discusses how referrals are a positive side effect of strong customer experiences. To us, there is no bigger compliment than a customer recommending us to friends, families, coworkers, and neighbors.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected a controversial petition to end state and local jurisdiction over net metering programs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today (July 18, 2020) rejected a controversial petition to end state and local jurisdiction over net metering programs. The petition was brought by the New England Ratepayers Association (NERA) and drew significant bipartisan pushback from around the country.
Maine Solar Solutions Featured on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List!
Solar Power World named Maine Solar Solutions as one of the Top Solar Contractors for 2020! The list is the most recognized annual listing of the top U.S. solar contractors working in the utility, commercial and residential markets.
The Force Field
Our solar customer Frith Farm walks the walk. That is why we nominated them for the 2020 Sustainability Awards with the Portland Press Herald and they won! The farm in Scarborough produces organic food for its neighbors and green energy for its operations, fostering biodiversity, and community.
Welded Bliss
A great story about local business Bradbury Mountain Metalworks, LLC. We were honored to install their solar array last fall, which is set to offset 100% of their usage and is one of the first metalworking businesses in Maine to go solar. Read more about their project in Green & Healthy Homes Maine
71.89 kW PV system in Limington, ME
CED Greentech featured our customer Sleeper’s Supermarket’s solar project on their website showing that Big change starts locally.
New law and Gov. Mills’ energy goals set off a solar-farm land rush
Now that friendly policies are in place, developers are jockeying for access to Maine’s grid to build community solar projects. Read more here.
2019
Kennebunkport Conservation Trust goes solar With Maine Solar Solutions
Maine Solar Solutions has completed a 10,500-kilowatt solar electric installation for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. The 33 photovoltaic panels are roof-mounted on their headquarters located at 57 Gravelly Brook Road in Kennebunkport. Read the full article in the Journal Tribune.
Maine Solar Solutions: Pooh Corner Farm
Sam Zuckerman, the president of Maine Solar Solutions, has shared another interesting solar installation with Green Energy Times. It is at Pooh Corner Farm, a garden center and florist in Mason Township, Maine. Mason Township is not a large community. There are only about sixty people who live there. It is not far from Bethel, in western Maine’s Oxford County. Pooh Corner Farm is rather remote, but that has not prevented the business from thriving. Anyone who talks with Carole Duplessis, its interesting and friendly owner, might very easily understand why. Read more about their project here.
Silfab Solar earns ‘Top Performer’
The company was awarded ‘top performer’ under the 2019 Photovoltaic Evolution Labs scorecard. They received the award in the categories of dynamic mechanical load testing, thermal cycling testing, and potential-induced degradation. Read the full article here.
Big solar bill gets near-unanimous approval in Maine Senate
“There’s a lot of companies in the state — smaller companies — that should benefit from these projects,” said Dow. “We’re hoping that all of those companies can also expand right here in the state of Maine. It’s always a good thing when businesses in Maine can expand and grow.” Learn more.
Legislators should support solar bill
Letter of support from Maine Solar Solutions installer, Thomas. “Maine needs more solar jobs for young people like me who want to be in rural Maine but need work to do so. This June, I started a job in Maine’s solar energy industry working for Maine Solar Solutions. This job will give me the opportunity to acquire enough hours and experience to become a licensed electrical journeyman. I chose to work in the solar energy industry because I care about clean energy, and I’d like to be able to stay in Maine to do this work. We need to pass solar policy to grow the number of jobs that give people the option to come to Maine.” Read the full article.
Green Energy Times interviewed our Maine Solar Solutions owner Sam Zuckerman about the benefits of pairing a solar system with heat pumps. The results are so clear that one customer recently called them a “killer combination. You can learn more about the benefits of heat pumps on our website here or read the “Pairing a Solar System with Heat Pumps” article here.
2018
Maine Solar Solutions – Keeping the Power On
Our owner of Maine Solar Solutions, Sam Zuckerman was interviewed by Green Energy Time and provided them with some insight on how to design and install grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery backup. Read more.
Solar power achieved a New England milestone on chilly Thanksgiving
Solar power achieved a New England milestone on chilly Thanksgiving
Sun-generated electricity reached a level that actually shifted peak energy demand away from the usual midmorning, showing solar’s growing role on the region’s electric grid. Read more.
Maine regulators reverse the gross metering decision for mid-sized, large customers
The PUC appointed by Governor LePage has undone its regressive solar policy for a portion of customers, after being confronted with evidence that it was imposing costs on all ratepayers. Read more.
Breaking New Ground Twenty residential and commercial architecture projects that push the limits of design
We were honored to be the solar installers for the Maine Coast Waldorf School. Maine Home+Design Magazine featured the school as one of twenty residential and commercial architecture projects that push the limits of design. Check them out under number 3. Read more.
Twenty residential and commercial architecture projects that push the limits of design
Learn about the Maine Coast Waldorf School which was recently featured in the Maine Home + Design magazine. Students at the school are taught about the building’s systems and about incorporating passive house principles to provide a healthy, energy-efficient space that responds to necessary global environmental priorities. Maine Solar Solutions proudly installed the
Freeport, Maine Passive High School: The First Passive House-Certified, Net-Zero High School in the U.S.
Maine Solar Solutions was honored to be the solar installers for the Maine Coast Waldorf School. On March 30, 2018, Efficiency Maine (efficiencymaine.com) designated the Maine Coast Waldorf School (mainecoastwaldorf.org) as a certified Maine Advanced Building. Read more.
