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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteThe federal 25D tax credit is gone. Most installers haven't updated their quotes. NuWatt is one of the only Maine solar companies offering the Propel lease — the last way to access federal solar savings in 2026.
With the federal residential solar tax credit dead and Maine's longer payback periods, the installer you choose determines whether you overpay or access the last remaining federal incentive.
Section 25D — the 30% residential solar tax credit — expired December 31, 2025. If you buy a system with cash or a loan in 2026, your federal credit is $0.
Any installer still quoting you a 30% federal credit for a purchased system is either uninformed or dishonest.
Section 48/48E — the commercial ITC — is still active for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. A third-party system owner (not you) claims the credit.
Through a solar lease or PPA, the financing company claims the 30% ITC and passes the savings to you as a lower monthly payment.
Maine is one of only two states where NuWatt offers the Propel lease — giving you access to Section 48 savings that most Maine installers simply cannot provide.
We also offer honest cash/loan pricing at $0 federal credit. You choose. No pressure.
Maine is one of only two states (along with Texas) where NuWatt offers the Propel lease program. This is a massive advantage for Maine homeowners — most other installers in the state cannot offer any federal incentive path in 2026.
Through Propel, a third-party financing company claims the Section 48 commercial ITC on your behalf. You get solar at a locked-in monthly rate lower than your current electric bill — with the federal savings built in.
Why this matters in Maine:With longer payback periods (12-17 years for cash) due to moderate electric rates, Propel's $0-down and instant savings model is especially compelling. Most Maine competitors cannot offer this.
We're not a marketplace. We're not a national chain. We're a New England solar company that understands Maine's unique climate, utilities, and energy challenges.
Founded in 2008. We've survived panel shortages, policy changes, and the ITC expiration. We'll be here for your warranty — unlike installers who may not last 5 years.
The gold standard in solar certification. Only ~10% of solar installers in the US hold this credential. Our Maine crews are fully certified.
With 60%+ of Maine homes heating with oil at $3.82/gal, we specialize in solar + heat pump bundles that eliminate oil dependence entirely.
We handle net energy billing applications, utility interconnection, property tax exemption filing, and Efficiency Maine coordination — all included.
Our installation teams are trained, certified professionals held to NuWatt quality standards. Same accountability and safety on every Maine job.
Published $/W rates. No hidden adders, no "system design fees," no surprise change orders. We quote real 2026 numbers — $0 federal credit for cash/loan.
Maine has the highest oil heating rate in the nation — over 60% of homes burn oil at $3.82/gallon. NuWatt specializes in solar + heat pump bundles that eliminate both your electric bill and your oil delivery truck.
Maine homeowners spend $3,000-$5,000/year on heating oil. Prices are volatile, supply depends on global markets, and oil furnaces are 80-85% efficient at best.
Oil at $3.82/gal translates to roughly $0.28/kWh equivalent — more expensive than CMP electricity.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps operate efficiently down to -15°F, covering Maine's winters. At 300% efficiency (COP 3.0), a heat pump delivers heat at $0.09/kWh equivalent.
Efficiency Maine offers $1,000-$3,000/unit in heat pump rebates depending on income level — up to 3 units.
Solar panels power your heat pump, and 1:1 net energy billing credits offset remaining grid usage. Total energy costs drop 50-70%.
NuWatt designs integrated solar + heat pump systems and can bundle the financing — including Propel lease for the solar portion.
From Kittery to Bangor, NuWatt installs across both CMP and Versant utility territories.
Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Saco, Biddeford, Kennebunk
CMPKittery, York, Wells, Ogunquit, Eliot, Berwick
CMPBrunswick, Bath, Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Wiscasset
CMPAugusta, Waterville, Lewiston, Auburn, Gardiner, Hallowell
CMPBangor, Orono, Brewer, Old Town, Hampden, Hermon
VersantWestbrook, Gorham, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Freeport
CMPWindham, Raymond, Bridgton, Naples, Gray, New Gloucester
CMPEllsworth, Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Machias, Calais
VersantCentral Maine Power serves most of southern and central Maine. Electric rate: ~$0.27/kWh. Solar payback: 15-17 years (cash) or instant savings with Propel lease.
Versant Power serves the Bangor region and Downeast areas. Electric rate: ~$0.32/kWh. Solar payback: 12-14 years (cash) — faster due to higher rates. Also eligible for Propel.
Don't see your town? Check CMP vs. Versant rates or call (877) 772-6357. We cover all of ME.
Three ways to go solar in Maine. Here's how they compare on the factors that matter most in 2026.
| Factor | NuWatt (Direct) | Marketplace (e.g. EnergySage) | Regional (e.g. ReVision Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-ITC Honesty | Transparent: $0 federal credit for cash/loan purchases in 2026 | Many listings still show outdated 30% ITC in estimates | Some competitors still quote with expired 25D credit |
| Section 48 Lease/PPA | Propel lease passes Section 48 savings to homeowner — ME is one of only 2 Propel states | Varies by installer — no guarantee of Section 48 access | Most ME installers do NOT offer Section 48 lease options |
| ME Program Expertise | Net energy billing, Efficiency Maine, property/sales tax exemptions — all enrolled by us | Installer may or may not handle program enrollment | Good local knowledge but may lack financing options |
| Equipment Quality | Hyundai/Silfab/REC panels, Enphase microinverters | Equipment varies widely by installer | Often limited to one or two panel brands |
| Pricing Transparency | Published $/W pricing, no hidden fees | Must request quotes from 3-5 installers to compare | Quote-only pricing, often bundled with opaque adders |
| Oil-to-Solar Expertise | Solar + heat pump bundle specialists — we help you cut oil bills entirely | Solar only — no heat pump integration | Some offer heat pumps but limited financing for bundles |
| Warranty Support | 25-year panel + 25-year Enphase + 10-year workmanship | Depends on the installer you choose | Good warranty but long-term business viability varies |
The federal credit is gone, but Maine still has meaningful state incentives. NuWatt enrolls you in every program you qualify for.
Export excess solar to the grid and get credited at the full retail rate (~$0.27-$0.32/kWh depending on utility). LD 1777 only changed community solar — rooftop solar keeps 1:1.
Learn moreSolar panels increase your home value but your property tax stays the same — permanently. Unlike many states, Maine's exemption applies statewide with no expiration.
Learn moreNo sales tax on solar equipment or installation labor. On a $24,400 system, that's ~$1,340 in immediate savings.
Learn moreWhile Efficiency Maine's solar incentives are limited, their heat pump rebates ($1,000 standard, up to $3,000 income-eligible) pair perfectly with solar.
Learn moreThrough the Propel lease, a third-party system owner claims the Section 48 ITC and passes savings to you. Must begin construction before July 4, 2026.
Learn moreMaine electric rates have increased 8-12% annually. Solar locks in your rate. The higher rates go, the faster your payback.
Learn moreFrom first call to power-on in 8-14 weeks. We handle everything — you just watch your electric bill drop.
Satellite analysis + optional site visit. We evaluate your roof, shading, snow load capacity, electrical panel, and utility rate. You get a detailed proposal with real 2026 pricing — $0 federal credit for cash/loan, or Propel lease savings.
Custom engineering with Maine snow load requirements, structural review, building permit, and utility interconnection application. We handle all paperwork including NEB enrollment with CMP or Versant.
Our own certified crews install panels, inverters, and battery (if applicable). Most residential installs complete in 1-2 days. We build for Maine weather — ice shields, snow guards, and coastal corrosion protection where needed.
Municipal electrical inspection, utility meter swap, and final interconnection with CMP or Versant. You flip the switch and start generating clean energy.
Three panel tiers to match your budget and goals. All paired with Enphase IQ8 microinverters for panel-level optimization and monitoring — built to handle Maine's snow, ice, and coastal conditions.
Hyundai 440W
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners paying cash or loan
Silfab 440W
Best for: Propel lease (required for Section 48 domestic content bonus)
REC 460W Alpha Pure-R
Best for: Maximum output on limited roof space
Maine has unique conditions that affect solar performance and ROI. We're upfront about the challenges — and the advantages.
Maine's electric rates ($0.27-$0.32/kWh) are moderate compared to Massachusetts ($0.28-$0.32) or Connecticut ($0.30+). This means longer payback periods: 15-17 years in CMP territory, 12-14 years in Versant territory for cash purchases.
We won't inflate savings projections to close a deal. But with electric rates rising 8-12% annually, payback improves every year. And with Propel lease, savings start day one.
Our installations are engineered for Maine's climate: snow loads up to 60 psf (60+ inches average), ice dam prevention, coastal salt air corrosion resistance, and wind ratings for nor'easters.
Fun fact: solar panels actually perform better in cold weather. Maine's cool summers boost panel efficiency by 5-10% compared to southern states. Snow reflection (albedo effect) also increases production on sunny winter days.
Maine's NEB policy gives rooftop solar 1:1 retail rate credits — meaning every kWh you export is worth the full retail rate ($0.27-$0.32/kWh). This is better than many states that have reduced net metering.
Note: LD 1777 changed community solar billing (now ~80% retail), but rooftop solar is unaffected and retains full 1:1 credits.
In most states, solar is primarily about electric bill savings. In Maine, the bigger opportunity is eliminating oil heating costs ($3,000-$5,000/year) by pairing solar with heat pumps.
When you factor in oil savings, total energy payback drops to 7-10 years — competitive with any New England state. NuWatt designs combined systems and can bundle financing.
Yes. NuWatt Energy is fully licensed, bonded, and insured to perform solar installations in Maine. We are NABCEP-certified, Tesla Powerwall Certified, A+ BBB rated, and have completed over 400 residential and commercial solar installations across Maine.
No. The Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. Cash and loan purchases receive $0 in federal credits. The only way to access federal incentives in 2026 is through a Section 48 lease or PPA, where a third-party system owner claims the commercial ITC and passes savings to you as a lower monthly payment. NuWatt offers this through our Propel lease program — and Maine is one of only two states where Propel is available.
Maine has several state-level incentives: 1:1 net energy billing (NEB) credits your bill at the full retail rate for rooftop solar, 100% property tax exemption statewide (your home value goes up but taxes do not), 5.5% sales tax exemption on solar equipment and installation, and Efficiency Maine offers limited solar incentives. With CMP rates at ~$0.27/kWh and Versant at ~$0.32/kWh, payback periods are 12-17 years for cash purchases, or you can get day-1 savings with a Propel lease.
Without the federal ITC, Maine solar costs $2.91-$3.19 per watt installed in 2026, with an average of $3.05/W. A typical 8 kW system costs $23,200-$25,500 before state incentives. Payback is typically 15-17 years in CMP territory ($0.27/kWh) and 12-14 years in Versant territory ($0.32/kWh). With a Propel Section 48 lease, your monthly payment starts lower than your current electric bill from day one.
NuWatt is one of the only solar installers in Maine offering the Propel lease program, which accesses Section 48 commercial ITC savings that cash/loan purchases cannot. While ReVision Energy and others do quality work, most Maine installers only offer cash and loan options — meaning their customers get $0 in federal incentives in 2026. NuWatt also specializes in solar + heat pump bundles, helping Maine homeowners eliminate both their electric bill and their oil/propane heating costs.
NuWatt serves Southern Maine (Portland, Scarborough, Saco, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kittery, York), Midcoast (Brunswick, Bath, Rockland, Camden, Belfast), Central Maine (Augusta, Waterville, Lewiston, Auburn), Bangor Region (Bangor, Orono, Brewer, Old Town), and the Lakes Region. We handle installations in both CMP and Versant utility territories.
From signed contract to power-on, most residential installations take 8-14 weeks. This includes engineering (1-2 weeks), permitting (2-4 weeks), installation (1-2 days), electrical inspection, and utility interconnection (2-4 weeks). Maine permitting timelines can vary by municipality. NuWatt handles all permitting and utility paperwork.
Solar alone does not heat your home, but solar paired with a heat pump eliminates oil dependence entirely. With oil at $3.82/gallon and 60%+ of Maine homes heating with oil, a solar + heat pump bundle can cut total energy costs by 50-70%. Your solar panels power your heat pump, and net energy billing credits offset remaining grid usage. NuWatt specializes in this solar + heat pump bundle — ask about our combined proposals.
Get an honest 2026 quote from one of the only Maine installers offering Propel — no outdated tax credit assumptions, no high-pressure sales. Just real numbers and the best path for your home.
Or explore: ME Solar Costs • Complete ME Guide • Financing Options • Propel in Maine