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Get a Free QuoteThe federal solar tax credit is dead. But some companies are still promising it to close deals. Door-to-door crews from out of state are targeting rural Maine homeowners. Here are the red flags, the common scams, and how to protect yourself.
The #1 Solar Scam in Maine Right Now
Companies are still advertising “30% federal tax credit” in 2026. The 25D residential solar ITC expired December 31, 2025. If a salesperson mentions a federal tax credit, they are either lying or uninformed. Either way, do not sign.
Maine has several characteristics that make it attractive territory for solar scammers and predatory sales practices:
Many Maine towns have limited internet access, fewer local installer options, and homeowners who may not easily comparison shop. Door-to-door crews target these areas specifically.
CMP at $0.27/kWh and Versant at $0.32/kWh create legitimate frustration. Scammers exploit this pain point with promises of eliminating your electric bill that are technically true but financially misleading.
Most homeowners do not know the federal ITC expired. National media still references “30% solar tax credit” in older articles. Scammers use this confusion to close deals based on savings that no longer exist.
Maine has the oldest median age of any US state (45.1 years). Older homeowners on fixed incomes are disproportionately targeted by high-pressure sales tactics.
The #1 scam in 2026. The federal 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Any salesperson claiming you get a 30% tax credit is either lying or dangerously uninformed. Either way, walk away.
What happens if you fall for it: You sign based on projected savings that include $7,000-$10,000 in tax credits that do not exist. Your actual payback is 3-4 years longer than promised.
Nothing is free. This pitch usually means a solar lease or PPA where a third-party company owns the panels on your roof. You pay them monthly for electricity the panels produce. The "free" part just means $0 upfront — you still pay for 20-25 years.
What happens if you fall for it: You are locked into a 20-25 year contract with 2-3% annual escalators. By year 15, you may be paying MORE than the utility rate. Selling your home becomes complicated because the lease transfers to the buyer.
Out-of-state solar companies send door-to-door crews through rural Maine towns where homeowners have less access to competitive quotes. These salespeople often use high-pressure tactics and inflated production estimates.
What happens if you fall for it: You pay $0.50-1.00/W more than local Maine installers charge. The company may not be licensed in Maine. Warranty claims require dealing with a company 1,000+ miles away.
High-pressure same-day close tactics. Legitimate solar companies give you time to compare quotes and think. Any company that pressures you to sign the same day they show up is a red flag.
What happens if you fall for it: You overpay because you did not compare 3+ quotes. You may agree to unfavorable contract terms without time to read the fine print.
Some companies inflate projected kWh production by 20-40% to make the ROI look better. Maine averages 1,100-1,250 kWh per kW installed per year. If someone promises 1,500+ kWh/kW, they are lying.
What happens if you fall for it: Your system underproduces vs projections. Your payback takes 2-4 years longer. You still owe the full purchase price.
Maine requires electrical contractors to be licensed by the Maine Electricians Examining Board and comply with MUBEC (Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code). Ask for their license number and verify it.
What happens if you fall for it: Unlicensed work voids your homeowner insurance coverage. Your utility may refuse to connect the system. You have no legal recourse if the work is defective.
Legitimate installers do handle permits. But scam companies sometimes skip permits entirely to save time and money. Ask for copies of all permits BEFORE construction begins.
What happens if you fall for it: Unpermitted solar work is illegal in Maine. Your utility will not connect an unpermitted system to the grid. You may be required to remove the panels at your own expense.
Companies headquartered in Florida, Texas, or California that have no office, warehouse, or permanent employees in Maine. They subcontract local electricians and vanish after installation.
What happens if you fall for it: Warranty claims go unanswered. If the company closes (common in solar), you are orphaned — stuck with panels and no service support. Maine has a growing solar orphan problem.
Ask for their Maine electrical contractor license number
Verify the license with the Maine Electricians Examining Board
Confirm they carry liability insurance AND workers compensation
Check their BBB rating and Google reviews (look for 4+ stars with 50+ reviews)
Verify they have a physical Maine address (not just a PO box)
Ask for at least 3 local Maine references you can call
Get at least 3 written quotes from different companies
Confirm all production estimates use NREL PVWatts or similar validated tool
Mentions federal tax credit or ITC for residential solar
Pressures you to sign the same day
Claims your panels will be "free"
Cannot provide a Maine contractor license number
Company address is out of state with no Maine office
Will not provide written production estimates
Discourages you from getting other quotes
Says net metering is "going away soon" (it is not in Maine)
If you have been scammed or suspect fraud, these Maine agencies can help:
Consumer Protection Division handles fraud complaints, deceptive advertising, and unfair business practices.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission handles complaints about grid interconnection, net metering disputes, and utility billing issues.
Verify contractor licenses and file complaints about unlicensed or negligent electrical work.
Under Maine law (Title 32, Chapter 69-A), if a solar salesperson comes to your home and you sign a contract, you have 3 business days to cancel without penalty. The company MUST provide you with a written notice of your cancellation rights at the time of sale. If they did not, the cancellation period extends indefinitely.
Solar is still a strong investment in Maine — even without the federal ITC. Here is what honest solar proposals should include:
No. The federal 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Any salesperson or advertisement claiming you can get a 30% federal tax credit in 2026 is providing false information. Maine state incentives (net energy billing, property tax exemption, sales tax exemption) remain in effect.
Check with the Maine Electricians Examining Board (within the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Ask the installer for their Maine electrical license number and verify it online. Also confirm they carry liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. The Maine Office of the Attorney General consumer protection division can help with complaints.
Some are, but door-to-door solar sales have a high rate of complaints in Maine. If someone knocks on your door selling solar: (1) Never sign anything that day, (2) Ask for their Maine contractor license number, (3) Get at least 2 additional quotes from local Maine companies, (4) Google the company name + "complaints" or "scam." Legitimate companies will welcome comparison shopping.
File a complaint with the Maine Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at (207) 626-8849. Also file with the Better Business Bureau and the Maine Public Utilities Commission if the issue involves grid connection. If you signed a contract within 3 business days, you may have cancellation rights under Maine home solicitation laws.
Maine solar systems typically produce 1,100-1,250 kWh per installed kW per year. An 8 kW system should produce roughly 8,800-10,000 kWh annually. If a proposal claims significantly more than this, the estimates are inflated. Use the NREL PVWatts calculator (free, government tool) to verify — enter your address and system size to get an independent production estimate.
A solar orphan is a homeowner whose solar company has gone out of business, leaving them with no warranty support, no monitoring, and no one to call for repairs. This is a growing problem in Maine as national companies that entered the market during the ITC boom period close operations. To avoid becoming a solar orphan, choose a locally-based Maine installer with 5+ years of operating history.
There is no such thing as truly free solar. "Free solar" always means a solar lease or PPA where a company installs panels at no upfront cost but charges you monthly for the electricity. In 2026 without the ITC, these deals are typically worse for homeowners than financing a purchase with a solar loan. If you see "free solar" advertising, ask: Who owns the panels? What is the monthly payment? What is the escalation rate? Can I cancel?
NuWatt is a Maine-based company. We never promise tax credits that do not exist. Every proposal includes verified production estimates and transparent pricing.