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Whereas Maine could not seem to be a pure match for photo voltaic panels, increased than common vitality costs would possibly make rooftop photo voltaic panel set up make sense for you. Maine was among the many 10 states with the very best electrical energy charges in August 2023 — and the common worth per kilowatt-hour was up 20% from the place it was a yr earlier.
Increased electrical energy costs sometimes means extra financial savings from adopting photo voltaic panels, however this goes to indicate that how a lot electrical energy you utilize is a giant a part of the equation, too. Whereas statewide traits are a helpful marker, your determination to go photo voltaic needs to be rooted in your particular circumstances. Photo voltaic panels nonetheless price hundreds of {dollars} even after getting less expensive over the past decade.
State-level incentives similar to internet metering and a property tax exemption for the worth that photo voltaic panels add to your private home may assist make the clear vitality change a extra attractive determination. A federal 30% tax credit score from the Inflation Discount Act may also cut back the price of your set up, however it’s best to calculate your probably financial savings over your photo voltaic panels’ lifetime earlier than taking the plunge.
For those who’re interested by going photo voltaic in Maine, this can be a good place to begin. These are a number of the photo voltaic corporations you would possibly contract with for photo voltaic set up within the Pine Tree State.
Greatest nationwide photo voltaic panel corporations in Maine
Irrespective of what number of choices of photo voltaic installer you might have, it’s best to at all times get a number of quotes so you possibly can evaluate gives. Listed here are the nationwide photo voltaic corporations CNET has reviewed that function in Maine.
Palmetto Photo voltaic
Greatest general
Photo voltaic panels are sometimes low upkeep gear, however they’re additionally unfamiliar. If you wish to reap the advantages of photo voltaic however can have a bit extra peace of thoughts if another person is ensuring it is working, Palmetto is likely to be a very good match for you. Simply keep in mind so as to add the price of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback interval calculations.
SunPower Photo voltaic
Greatest photo voltaic panels
For those who’re searching for top-of-the-line photo voltaic panels, SunPower is your most suitable option. However do not write it off for those who’re searching for a much less flashy set up that may get the job executed. This yr it began putting in Qcells panels, which ought to make an set up from the longest-tenured firm on our listing obtainable to extra folks.
Freedom Without end
Greatest for money prospects
Embrace Freedom Without end in your search if you need the backing of a nationwide firm that installs all kinds of the most well-liked photo voltaic gear obtainable. Freedom Without end additionally extends a few merchandise that take a number of the ache and threat out of going photo voltaic, like a manufacturing assure and an escrow possibility with money purchases. On-line opinions say buyer satisfaction has been low of late, although the corporate says that is altering.
Tesla Photo voltaic
Most reasonably priced
Tesla’s photo voltaic department appears to be the least liked of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Photo voltaic Roof appears to get extra love.
If worth is the factor you will not budge on, think about Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs high quality panels and makes the closest factor there may be to a family identify in photo voltaic storage: the Powerwall.
The place you would possibly miss out is customer support. Dialogue on-line appears to counsel Tesla’s service is a little bit of a raffle.
Native photo voltaic panel corporations in Maine
Alongside the nationwide gamers, there are many native corporations to select from. Here is a small collection of them.
Maine Photo voltaic Options is a neighborhood firm working solely within the Pine Tree State. Whereas most of its prospects select to maintain their system tied to the ability grid, Maine Photo voltaic Options does provide off-grid photo voltaic, too. (You may solely take part in internet metering packages in case your system is grid-tied.) You should purchase your photo voltaic panels or finance them via a photo voltaic mortgage.
Maine Photo voltaic Options sources its photo voltaic merchandise from producers together with REC, Hanwha Qcells, Silfab Photo voltaic and Tesla. The entire photo voltaic panels it gives have an influence output guarantee for 25 years and all inverters are warrantied between 10 and 25 years. Maine Photo voltaic Options additionally gives a 10-year quality-of-work guarantee.
ReVision Vitality is a New England-based photo voltaic installer working in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Based in 2003, this installer has accomplished almost 14,000 photo voltaic initiatives within the New England space. At the moment, ReVision Vitality prospects can buy their photo voltaic panels upfront or finance them over time with a photo voltaic mortgage.
ReVision Vitality gives photo voltaic merchandise from Qcells, REC, Tesla, Generac and different producers. Prospects may also select between rooftop and ground-mounted photo voltaic panels. Rooftop photo voltaic panels are most typical, however a ground-mounted system may fit when you’ve got the house and your roof is unfit for photo voltaic panels. ReVision Vitality gives a 5-year quality-of-work guarantee and chooses photo voltaic panels with a 25-year manufacturing guarantee from the producer.
Find out how to decide which photo voltaic firm in Maine is best for you
The Photo voltaic Vitality Industries Affiliation says householders in Maine have 31 photo voltaic panel installers to select from. Photo voltaic panel corporations have totally different set up processes — some use in-house staff to carry out photo voltaic panel system installations whereas different corporations rent subcontractors. Be sure you know the set up technique of the corporate you wish to work with.
Discovering the fitting photo voltaic firm means discovering the one that most closely fits your vitality objectives. Meaning it’s essential to think about a number of essential variables. Ensure the photo voltaic installer you are trying to contract with has the gear and warranties you are snug with and gives high quality customer support. Go into your consultations geared up with data about what number of photo voltaic panels you want and the way a lot it can save you (together with internet metering and whether or not or not it is obtainable to you) in order that you aren’t getting oversold.
Irrespective of how nice the primary firm you discuss to is, at all times get a number of quotes — a minimal of 4 to 5 photo voltaic firm consultations is an efficient begin. That manner, by the point you lock in a contract with a photo voltaic installer, you recognize you are getting a very good deal.
Price of photo voltaic panels in Maine
Here is a take a look at the common money worth for a typical photo voltaic panel system in Maine earlier than factoring in tax credit and incentives, in accordance with information from FindEnergy.com. It is essential to notice that your system may price extra for those who select to put in a photo voltaic battery. Nationwide averages differ from supply to supply. One estimate from photo voltaic consulting agency Wooden Mackenzie (PDF) places the common residential worth for the second quarter of 2023 at $3.28 per watt. All estimates and averages are simply that. The worth you pay would possibly differ primarily based on native elements like allowing and labor prices and prices particular to your system like its measurement or the complexity of your roof.
Common price of photo voltaic panels in Maine
| Typical system measurement (kW) | Value per watt | Complete put in price | Price after 30% federal tax credit score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 6 | $3.80 | $22,800 | $15,960 |
| Nationwide common | 8.6 | $3.67 | $31,558 | $22,091 |
The interactive infographic under gives the common whole worth, price per watt and typical photo voltaic panel system measurement for various states, in accordance with information from FindEnergy.com. The costs proven don’t signify fluctuations from tax credit or state photo voltaic incentives. If FindEnergy would not have photo voltaic information for a selected state, it seems grayed out on the map.
Photo voltaic panel incentives and rebates in Maine
Whereas photo voltaic panels have dropped in worth within the final 20 years, buying rooftop photo voltaic remains to be a giant funding. You’ll find photo voltaic tax credit and incentives on the federal, state and native ranges to assist make photo voltaic panels extra reasonably priced.
One of many largest tax credit is the residential clear vitality credit score, beforehand often known as the funding tax credit score or ITC. The residential clear vitality credit score is a federal photo voltaic tax credit score that credit 30% of the price of your photo voltaic panel system once you file your taxes. It is provided in all 50 states and was elevated and prolonged when the Inflation Discount Act was handed in August 2022. There is no such thing as a cap on this tax credit score, so you possibly can declare the complete 30% regardless of the dimensions or price of your photo voltaic system, so long as you pay that a lot in taxes.
To use for the residential clear vitality credit score, fill out IRS type 5695 (PDF), following the IRS’s directions (PDF).
There are additionally a number of state-level photo voltaic incentives in Maine. For starters, the state gives a property tax exemption on photo voltaic panels for residents who buy their system. Maine residents may also take part in internet metering packages. Web metering lets customers promote extra solar energy generated by their system again to the grid in alternate for credit on their vitality payments.
Neighborhood photo voltaic, which is rising rapidly all through the state, can be obtainable. With an lively utility account, you should buy solar energy produced at one other location for about 10% to fifteen% cheaper than the usual electrical price. Whereas there may be nonetheless room for growth, group photo voltaic will probably proceed to develop in Maine.
Need one thing smaller than a whole-home photo voltaic system? See our picks for one of the best moveable photo voltaic panels and photo voltaic turbines.
Photo voltaic panels preserve the lights on at this lighthouse in Maine.
Find out how to pay for photo voltaic panels in Maine
There are financing choices to make the change to photo voltaic reasonably priced. Whereas some residents purchase photo voltaic panels upfront, others finance them over time with a photo voltaic mortgage. It is also essential to issue within the photo voltaic payback interval, which is the time it takes to recoup your upfront funding and when financial savings begins.
Listed here are some methods to pay for photo voltaic panels.
Photo voltaic mortgage: Your photo voltaic installer probably has a relationship with a financial institution or different monetary establishment to supply a mortgage designed for photo voltaic panels. This is usually a nice deal, however you may wish to get a number of gives to make sure the charges and phrases are one of the best.
Lease or energy buy settlement: Some photo voltaic corporations mean you can lease your system or enter an influence buy settlement. For those who select to lease, you will not personal the photo voltaic system, you may simply pay to be used of the gear. Getting into an influence buy settlement means you may purchase photo voltaic vitality generated from the photo voltaic firm to energy your private home. The worth you may pay is normally decrease than the retail price out of your native utility firm. You will not get tax credit from leases and energy buy agreements, since you will not personal the photo voltaic panels. Maine permits third-party possession of photo voltaic panels, however rules differ inside states, so verify for your self.
Money: This strategy solely works for those who occur to have hundreds of {dollars} sitting round in a checking account. If you do not have that but, however you need photo voltaic panels sooner or later, think about saving cash in a high-yield financial savings account. Rates of interest are excessive proper now, and this may also help you save sooner.
House fairness: You do not have to make use of a mortgage out of your photo voltaic firm. Monetary establishments provide dwelling fairness loans and features of credit score (or HELOCs) which can be generally used for dwelling enchancment initiatives. These loans can be utilized for mainly any objective, they usually could also be a very good match on your photo voltaic venture. Store round and be sure to’re getting one of the best deal.
Private mortgage: You can even borrow the cash via a private mortgage. The principle distinction between a private mortgage and a house fairness mortgage is {that a} private mortgage is usually unsecured. Meaning your own home is not in danger. The draw back is they have an inclination to have shorter phrases and better rates of interest than dwelling fairness merchandise.
Set up elements to bear in mind
Investing in photo voltaic panels is a giant determination, so it’s best to think about all components that might decide whether or not it is the fitting transfer for you. Hold these elements in thoughts.
Is your roof proper for photo voltaic? Some roofs is probably not in the fitting situation for environment friendly photo voltaic panel set up. The scale, form and slope of the roof will have an effect on how a lot energy the system can produce. In response to the Division of Vitality, photo voltaic panels shall be most effective on roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 levels. You also needs to think about the age and situation of your roof. Whether it is older or in want of upkeep, your roof needs to be changed or repaired earlier than putting in photo voltaic panels.
Does your neighborhood enable photo voltaic panels? In some states, dwelling homeowners associations have the ability to prohibit photo voltaic panel methods. Maine legislation states that householders associations and neighborhoods usually are not allowed to ban photo voltaic panels, however might be able to affect your system’s design or location. Examine your householders affiliation bylaws earlier than coming into any settlement.
Are you able to add your panels to your insurance coverage coverage? Most normal house owner’s insurance policies cowl rooftop photo voltaic panels, so that you should not must take out a separate coverage. After putting in your panels, contact your insurance coverage company to replace your coverage. The precise particulars of your coverage may differ relying in your protection.
Is your location proper for photo voltaic? On common, Maine receives 192 sunny days per yr, which is barely decrease than the US common (205 days). Photo voltaic panels are designed to supply vitality in all climates and areas with much less direct daylight. One rule of thumb says that photo voltaic panels make monetary sense in the event that they obtain no less than 4 hours of direct daylight a day. For those who dwell in a cloudy area of Maine or your roof will get fixed shade protection, a photo voltaic panel system will not produce as a lot electrical energy as it could in direct daylight.
Do you lease your private home? Renters might want to examine with a landlord or rental administration firm to substantiate whether or not photo voltaic panels are allowed. If not, you possibly can think about group photo voltaic packages as an alternative choice to rooftop photo voltaic. Neighborhood photo voltaic is an efficient possibility for renters as a result of your subscription can align together with your lease. The photo voltaic vitality is produced at one other location, so there isn’t any want for set up at your residence or rental dwelling.
How we discovered one of the best photo voltaic corporations
The businesses we listed above as “one of the best” are curated from CNET’s finest photo voltaic corporations listing. Firms making one of the best listing are scored on the gear, warranties and customer support they provide. Then, we be certain that these suggestions can be found in your state. You may learn a full breakdown of how we evaluation photo voltaic corporations right here.
Firms listed below the native installers have been chosen in a much less rigorous manner. We selected them as a result of they provided one thing distinctive or notable to prospects within the state, they appeared well-regarded by web reviewers or as a result of they have been one of many few installers we may discover info on within the state.
Whether or not we have accomplished a full evaluation on an organization or not, it is at all times a good suggestion to get a number of quotes from totally different installers earlier than selecting an organization.
Maine solar energy FAQs
What upkeep is required for photo voltaic panels?
Photo voltaic panels can final greater than 30 years, however they are going to require some routine upkeep to carry out effectively. Probably the most fundamental upkeep you may want to consider is cleansing them of any grime and particles. Inside the business, it is also strongly really helpful that you just schedule an annual inspection with a licensed skilled to ensure your system is working safely and effectively. For those who discover a problem together with your photo voltaic panels, you might must schedule further upkeep or repairs.
Does Maine require photo voltaic panels on all houses?
No, Maine doesn’t require photo voltaic panels, in contrast to California, which requires that newly constructed houses embrace photo voltaic panel methods.
How can I discover a good photo voltaic installer in Maine?
Because the variety of photo voltaic installers grows in Maine, it may be tough to decide on the fitting firm. Earlier than signing a contract with a photo voltaic installer, we advocate you completely evaluation your choices, get a number of quotes from totally different installers and skim buyer testimonials. You may evaluation CNET’s picks for prime photo voltaic corporations to study extra about what to contemplate when looking for a photo voltaic installer.
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