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We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
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Over 60% of Maine homes heat with oil. A 9 kW solar system produces ~10,800 kWh to power 2-3 heat pump zones, eliminating $3,000-$5,000/year in oil costs while generating $2,916-$3,456/year in NEB credits. Combined savings: $4,000-$7,000+ per year.
60%+
ME Homes on Oil
10,800 kWh
9 kW Solar Output
$4K-$7K+
Annual Bundle Savings
6-10 yr
Bundle Payback
The combination of the highest oil heating rate in the nation and high electricity rates creates a unique opportunity where both solar and heat pumps deliver outsized savings.
Over 60% of Maine homes heat with oil, the highest rate of any state. Oil prices are volatile and trending upward. Heat pumps provide a predictable, efficient alternative.
CMP ($0.27/kWh) and Versant ($0.32/kWh) rates make solar NEB credits highly valuable. Solar offsets the new electricity load from heat pumps.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps operate efficiently down to -15 degrees F. Maine winters are well within the operating range of Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating and similar systems.
Eliminating an oil furnace and powering heat pumps with solar eliminates two major carbon sources simultaneously. A typical Maine home can reduce emissions by 8-12 tons CO2 per year.
A 9 kW solar system produces ~10,800 kWh/year. Heat pumps for 2-3 zones use ~5,000-7,000 kWh/year. That leaves 3,800-5,800 kWh of surplus solar production credited through NEB at the full retail rate. The solar system effectively makes the heat pump electricity free while still generating credits to offset your remaining electric bill.
| Category | Annual Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oil elimination | $3,000-$5,000/year | 800-1,200 gal/year at $3.50-$4.25/gal |
| Solar NEB credits | $2,916-$3,456/year | CMP $0.27/kWh or Versant $0.32/kWh |
| Net HP electricity cost | -$1,350 to -$2,240/year | 5,000-7,000 kWh at $0.27-$0.32/kWh (offset by solar) |
| Efficiency Maine rebates | $1,200-$4,000 (one-time) | Heat pump rebates from Efficiency Maine |
| Net combined annual savings | $4,000-$7,000+/year | After all costs and credits |
Solar and heat pump incentives are separate programs that fully stack. Here is what is available for the combined installation in 2026.
Solar: 100% property tax exemption
Maine exempts solar from property taxes statewide. Your solar system adds value to your home without increasing your property tax bill.
Solar: 5.5% sales tax exemption
Solar equipment and installation are exempt from Maine's 5.5% sales tax, saving approximately $1,500 on a 9 kW system.
Solar: 1:1 NEB credits
Rooftop solar gets full retail rate NEB credits from both CMP and Versant. Credits roll over monthly.
Heat Pump: Efficiency Maine rebates
Standard rebates of $400-$800 per indoor unit. Income-eligible households may qualify for 80-100% coverage. Programs update periodically.
Solar: Federal 25D ITC
Expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners receive $0 federal tax credit on solar purchases or loans.
Heat Pump: Federal 25C credit
Expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners receive $0 federal tax credit on heat pump installations.
Get a free assessment for a combined solar + heat pump installation. See your personalized savings estimate with real CMP or Versant rate calculations.