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Community solar promised easy savings. But billing complaints, NEB reform, and subscription headaches have many Maine homeowners asking: should I just put panels on my own roof?
15%
Community Solar Advertised Savings
25%
Rooftop Solar Savings (Propel)
$0
Upfront Cost (Both Options)
Year 5
Rooftop Ownership Timeline
Community solar lets you subscribe to a share of a remote solar farm. You don't install anything on your roof. Instead, the solar farm generates electricity, and you receive bill credits on your CMP or Versant statement. The idea is that you pay a subscription fee that is lower than the credits you receive, resulting in net savings of 10-15% on your electricity bill.
In practice, many Maine homeowners have experienced billing errors, confusing statements, and savings that don't match what was advertised. The Maine Public Advocate has documented these issues. And LD 1777 made things worse for new subscribers.
Community solar is not a scam. But these four issues have caused real problems for Maine homeowners.
The Maine Public Advocate found customers paying MORE than without solar. Credits don't match bills. Confusing statements from both the solar company and CMP.
Maine reformed Net Energy Billing, cutting community solar compensation by up to 20%. Your 15% savings could shrink to 5% or less.
You never own anything. You're subscribing to someone else's solar farm. If the company goes under, you're stuck.
Many subscribers report difficulty cancelling. Long-term contracts. Automatic renewals. Fine print.
Feature-by-feature comparison. Green checks mark the advantage.
| Feature | Community Solar | Rooftop (Propel) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly savings | 10-15% (advertised) | 25% ($61/mo) |
| Own the panels | No — subscription | Yes — by year 5 |
| Payment changes | Can change | Fixed forever |
| NEB credits | Reduced by LD 1777 | 1:1 retail (unaffected) |
| Billing | Complex dual billing | One simple payment |
| Home value | $0 added | +$10K–$20K |
| Property tax | N/A | 100% exempt |
| Cancellation | Contract terms apply | Your system, your choice |
| Panel location | Remote farm | Your roof |
| Tax credit benefit | No (farm owner keeps) | Yes — 30% built into Propel price |
| Maintenance | Not your concern | Free during lease, yours after yr 5 |
Community solar is fine for renters or heavily shaded properties. But if you can put panels on your roof, Propel rooftop solar beats community solar on savings, ownership, home value, billing simplicity, and long-term financial outcome. The $0-down, fixed-payment model makes the comparison even more one-sided.
Three advantages that community solar cannot match.
Residential rooftop solar is UNAFFECTED by LD 1777. You get full retail rate credits from CMP ($0.27/kWh). Community solar farms are getting cut to tariff-based rates below retail.
With Propel, you own the panels by year 5. They add $10K–$20K to your home value. Community solar adds $0. Maine exempts solar from property tax, so the value increase is tax-free.
One fixed payment. No dual billing. No credit reconciliation. No surprise charges from CMP or the solar company. Your payment is locked in from day one and never changes.
All CMP territory. All eligible for Propel. All get 1:1 NEB credits.
| Town | Avg CMP Bill | Propel Payment | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $245/mo | $184/mo | $61/mo |
| South Portland | $240/mo | $180/mo | $60/mo |
| Scarborough | $255/mo | $191/mo | $64/mo |
| Saco | $235/mo | $176/mo | $59/mo |
| Biddeford | $230/mo | $173/mo | $57/mo |
| Kennebunk | $250/mo | $188/mo | $62/mo |
| Wells | $245/mo | $184/mo | $61/mo |
| York | $260/mo | $195/mo | $65/mo |
| Kittery | $255/mo | $191/mo | $64/mo |
A community solar subscription on a $245/month Portland CMP bill would advertise 15% savings = $37/month. After LD 1777, realistic savings are closer to 5-10% = $12–$25/month. Propel saves $61/month with a fixed payment, ownership by year 5, and zero billing complexity. The math is clear.
Stop subscribing to someone else's solar farm. With Propel, you get $0 down, a fixed monthly payment, 1:1 NEB credits, and full ownership by year 5. See if your home qualifies in 60 seconds.
