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The 30% federal tax credit is gone for homeowners. But Maine offers 100% statewide property tax exemption (verified). The sales tax exemption is under review. Section 30C for EV chargers is still active until June 30, 2026. Here is every tax benefit available.
Section 25D residential solar ITC: EXPIRED. $0 for homeowner purchases in 2026.
The federal tax credit previously saved ~$8,235 on a 9 kW system. In 2026, the only confirmed tax benefit for Maine homeowners is the property tax exemption. Sales tax exemption is under review. Learn more
Property Tax Saved
$381/yr
100% exempt statewide
Sales Tax
Under Review
Not confirmed from statute
25-Year Tax Savings
$9,550
Combined property + sales
Federal ITC
$0
Expired Dec 2025
Two still active for homeowners, one expired, and two available through specific structures.
~$381/year
Solar energy equipment is 100% exempt from property tax assessment statewide in Maine. Unlike New Hampshire (local option), this is a statewide mandate — all municipalities must honor it.
Under Review — Not Confirmed
Maine charges 5.5% sales tax on most purchases. Whether solar equipment qualifies for an exemption has not been confirmed from official statute. Your installer can advise on current tax treatment.
$0 — Expired Dec 31, 2025
Section 25D expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025). $0 available for homeowner cash or loan solar purchases in 2026.
30% for third-party system owners
Section 48/48E still available for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. The THIRD-PARTY SYSTEM OWNER (financing company) claims the ITC, not the homeowner or installer. Relevant for PPA and lease agreements.
Up to $1,000 residential
Up to $1,000 for residential EV charger installation. Expires June 30, 2026.
How much the property tax exemption saves you based on your system size. Sales tax treatment is under review.
| System | Gross Cost | Sales Tax Saved* | Prop Tax Saved/yr | 25-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $15,250 | $0 | $212/yr | $5,300 |
| 8 kW | $24,400 | $0 | $339/yr | $8,475 |
| 9 kW | $27,450 | $0 | $382/yr | $9,550 |
| 12 kW | $36,600 | $0 | $509/yr | $12,725 |
Based on Maine's average effective property tax rate of 1.39%. Actual property tax savings depend on your municipality's assessment practices. *Sales tax exemption has not been confirmed from official Maine statute. Verify with your installer.
Maine's property tax exemption is among the strongest in New England because it is a statewide mandate, not a local option.
| State | Property Tax | Sales Tax | State Rebate | Federal ITC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 100% exempt statewide | Under review | None | $0 (expired) |
| New Hampshire | Local option (~66% of towns) | 0% (no state sales tax) | Repealed (SB 303) | $0 (expired) |
| Massachusetts | 20-year exemption | 6.25% exempt | SMART $0.03/kWh | $0 (expired) |
| Connecticut | Local option | 6.35% exempt | RRES (check status) | $0 (expired) |
While the solar ITC is gone, the EV charger credit remains. Up to $1,000 for residential installations (30% of cost). If you are adding solar panels alongside an EV charger, this is the one remaining federal credit you can still claim as a homeowner. The credit expires June 30, 2026 — not December 31, 2025 like the solar ITC.
Residential Max
$1,000
Credit Rate
30%
Expires
June 30, 2026
Based on a typical 9 kW system ($27,450).
Sales Tax (Year 1)
Under Review*
Prop Tax Saved (Annual)
$382/yr
25-Year Property Tax
$9,550
25-Year Total
$9,550
Without the federal ITC, the property tax exemption is the only confirmed tax-based savings for Maine homeowners. The sales tax exemption is under review. Combined with NEB credits ($2,916-$3,456/year), the full financial picture still supports solar — especially for Versant customers at higher rates.
Yes. Solar energy equipment is 100% exempt from property tax assessment statewide in Maine. This is a statewide mandate — all municipalities must honor it. Solar adds approximately $15,000-$20,000 to your home value but $0 to your property tax bill. Based on a 9 kW system ($27,450) and Maine's average 1.39% effective property tax rate, this saves approximately $381 per year, or $9,525 over 25 years.
The sales tax exemption for solar equipment has not been confirmed from official Maine statute. Maine charges 5.5% sales tax on most purchases. Many solar websites claim an exemption exists, but we have been unable to verify this from the state's published tax code. Your installer can advise on how sales tax is handled at purchase. Note: The property tax exemption (36 M.R.S. §655) IS verified and statewide.
No. The residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan in 2026 receive $0 in federal tax credits. However, the commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) is still available for third-party system owners through July 4, 2026. This means PPA and lease customers still benefit from the 30% credit through lower rates.
Section 30C is the EV charger tax credit — up to $1,000 for residential installations (30% of cost). Unlike the solar ITC, this credit has NOT expired. It remains active until June 30, 2026. If you are installing solar alongside an EV charger, you can still claim this credit. It is one of the few remaining federal clean energy credits for homeowners.
Maine's property tax exemption is stronger. In Maine, the exemption is a statewide mandate — all municipalities must honor it. In New Hampshire, it is a local option under RSA 72:62 that requires each town to vote to adopt it (approximately 66% of NH towns have done so). Maine residents have guaranteed protection regardless of which municipality they live in.
For a typical 9 kW system ($27,450): the property tax exemption saves ~$381/year ($9,525 over 25 years). The sales tax exemption has not been confirmed from official statute — verify with your installer. Without the sales tax exemption, the verified 25-year property tax savings total approximately $9,525. These are the ONLY confirmed tax benefits available to Maine homeowners — there is no federal ITC and no state rebate.
Homeowners cannot depreciate residential solar equipment. However, if you own a business and install solar on commercial property, you may qualify for MACRS depreciation (5-year accelerated). In 2026, bonus depreciation is 20% (down from 40% in 2025). Combined with the Section 48 ITC (30%), commercial solar has significant tax advantages that residential does not.
Yes. Maine's property tax exemption (36 M.R.S. §655) covers solar energy equipment, which includes battery storage systems installed alongside solar. A typical home battery system ($10,000-$15,000) would add no property tax. Note: The sales tax exemption has not been confirmed from official Maine statute. Verify sales tax treatment with your installer.
See exactly how much the property tax exemption saves you based on your system size. Honest 2026 numbers — no inflated ITC claims.