Written by Rob T.  Solar Enthusiast

Being Updated For 2024

Maine’s deep appreciation for its natural beauty, including its pristine landscapes, abundant wildlife, and picturesque coastlines, has played a significant role in the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As awareness of the effects of pollution and climate change has grown, Maine has actively embraced initiatives to protect its natural resources and reduce its ecological footprint.

Maine’s reliance on its natural environment for tourism and the fishing industry has made it particularly sensitive to the impacts of pollution and climate change. Maine’s residents and policymakers recognize the importance of preserving the state’s unique ecosystems, not only for their intrinsic value but also for the economic well-being of local communities.

With an aggressive commitment to have 40% of Main’s power coming from renewable eneergy by 2030, Maine has set itself apart a leader in the adoption of renewable energy.

The real question is,

Can You Get Free Solar Panels In Maine?

No,  you can’t get free solar panels in Maine the way most people think about it when they hear the sales pitch Free Solar Panels. 

However, the programs advertised in Maine as free solar panels can get you set up with solar panels for your home with no out-of-pocket expense.  These systems will be installed, monitored, and maintained and save you money by switching to solar.

So in a sense, you can switch to solar power for free.

Are Free Solar Panels A Scam?

Offers for anything free in Maine generally comes with some kind of catch and the pitch for free solar panels in Maine are no different.

When Maine companies are offering free solar panels it is to get you into a Power Purchase Agreement, a Lease Agreement, or get you a quote on a Solar Loan. 

Each program has its benefits and drawbacks but all aim to get you using solar panels to generate electricity and lower your monthly bill. 

Does this make the free solar panels pitch as scam? I guess that’s really up to you.

The Real Scam With Free Solar Panels

Although the Free Solar Panels pitch might be misleading, and designed to grab your attention with the idea of getting solar panels truly for free, and many people will get a bad feeling when they realize this isn’t the case, I don’t believe that is truly a scam. 

The real scam is dealing with a company in Maine that isn’t going to stand behind what they do, isn’t going to truly help you get set up with the right solar setup that will work for you, and are just looking to make the sale or commit you to a solar lease that isn’t going to generate the electricity they said it would.

Don’t end up buying panels or get into a lease agreement where you aren’t going to get the benefit of having solar panels, this will leave you paying for solar panels or paying a lease payment and still paying for electricity from the grid and have you paying more each month, not less.

The Power Purchase Agreement

With this plan, a company in Maine will install solar panels on your roof with the agreement that you will purchase the power it generates.

The company will qualify your home, and install, monitor, and maintain the system for you.  They have a vested interest in making sure the system is working since you are purchasing power from them.  If the system isn’t working as well as it could, the company loses out.

The Solar Lease Agreement

With this plan, you are leasing the solar panels from a Maine solar company.

You will pay a set monthly fee for an agreed number of years in order to use the solar panels. Again the company will qualify your home, install the panels at no cost to you, then you get to use the power to lower your monthly electric bill.

With this program, however, the company is not as invested in keeping the panels running in perfect order.  You after all are basically renting the solar panels regardless of what they are producing for power.

So you will want to make sure the company has a good reputation for being correct with the estimation on how the system will perform.

The Solar Loan

Getting a loan in Maine for solar panels doesn’t sound much like free.

However solar companies that are offering loan solutions may be doing direct financing or working with a bank to tailor a loan for you that is specifically designed around people going with solar panels.

The main aim of a solar loan is to get you into a fixed monthly payment that is less than what you are paying for electricity.  This loan will generally be a zero down payment loan, the “FREE” part.

You should not have to start paying on the loan until your panels are up and running and then your monthly payment for electricity is now less.

Going with a solar loan in Maine loan is the best overall option, you own the solar panels, get to use any incentives that are available to you and it increases your home value.

Why Are Maine Solar Companies Setting Up Solar Panels For Free?

Right now there is a push from many people to switch to clean renewable energy.  Every location at the local, state, and federal level is experiencing this to some degree.  In response, there are a number of incentives to help people switch to solar or other forms of renewable energy.

So one main reason the companies want to set up solar panels on your property is that, as the owner of the solar panels they get to claim all the incentives. These incentives include things like a 30% federal tax credit, getting paid for excess power that is sent back to the electric grid, solar renewable energy credits for producing electricity with solar power, and more.

Another reason companies want to install solar panels on your home is simply the space.  One of the challenges to solar panels has been where to put them.  So Instead of purchasing a designated piece of land to turn into a solar panel farm like they have done in some places they get that property for free with the space you already own.

Incentives For Going Solar

The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

• A 30% Federal Tax Credit

State Solar Tax Credit

• An Income Tax Credit against your state income tax

Renewable Portfolio Standard

• A commitment that the state has made to move the state to clean renewable energy.

Solar Carve Out

• A certain portion of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, that states how much clean energy needs to come from solar power.

Solar Renewable Energy Credits

• Credits that are awarded to owners of solar panels for how much solar energy they produce

Feed In Tariffs

• This is a guaranteed set price that electricity companies are required to pay for any excess power produced and sent back to the grid generally set at above market rates.

Net Metering

• This is similar to the Feed In Tariff but is not generally above market rate and can be offered by individual electric companies.

Solar Grants

• Solar grants are like any grant, free money to get people set up with solar panels.  Although these are few and far between, some do exist from time to time.

Power Purchase Agreement

• An agreement between a solar company and the homeowner where solar panels are installed on the home but still owned by the solar company.  In return the homeowner agrees to purchase power from the solar company.

Solar Lease Agreement

• A solar lease agreement is where a company installs solar on your home and you are basically renting the solar panels, and get to use them to generate electricity for you to use.

Solar Loans

• Solar loans are essentially home improvement loans but are designed specifically to help people get using solar panels and may be tailored to work with Federal State and Local incentives. 

Solar companies in Maine

Here are three well-known and reputable solar companies that have consistently been recognized for their services across the United States:

SunPower:

SunPower is a leading solar energy company known for producing high-efficiency solar panels. They offer residential and commercial solar solutions, including solar panel installations and solar leasing options.
Tesla Solar:

Tesla:

Known for its electric vehicles, is also a major player in the solar industry. They offer solar panels, solar roofs, and energy storage solutions. Tesla’s solar products are integrated with their energy ecosystem, including Powerwall and Powerpack.
Sunrun:

Sunrun:

One of the largest residential solar companies in the U.S. They provide solar installation, solar leasing, and power purchase agreement (PPA) options. Sunrun is known for its focus on residential solar and energy storage solutions.

A Problem With The ITC

One big issue with how the cost of solar panels is lowered is that you need to be paying taxes in order to get the savings.

This isn’t for all incentives once you are set but the Federal ITC  is a big one.  It will essentially cover 30% of the cost of your solar installation.

However, this basically means you can take the money you would normally be paying into taxes and put a portion of it into your home’s solar installation, 30% of the total cost to get set up with solar.

However, if you aren’t paying enough into taxes to equal 30% that may be a problem.  You can roll over that tax credit into additional years until you get the full amount but it does mean that you may not get the savings that you were hoping for the year you go solar.

Unfortunatly for many people who are on fixed incomes, retired, or already get other breaks on their tax liability this program is not going to help you offset the cost of going solar.

Resources

Maines Renewable Portfolio Standard

DSIREUSA.ORG – Database for renewable energy incentives