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Maine is one of only two live Propel markets — and for good reason. High electricity rates, full retail net billing, property and sales tax exemptions, and strong solar production make Maine one of the best states for Propel in the country.
Quick Answer
Propel solar is live in Maine, serving both CMP and Versant utility territories. Maine homeowners benefit from full retail net billing (1:1 credit), high electricity rates ($0.23-$0.27/kWh), no sales tax on solar, and full property tax exemption. A typical 8-10kW system costs $24K-$30K gross, approximately $14.4K-$18K after 40% ITC pass-through (about 29% off cash in Maine), with monthly payments of $120-$160 at the 9.69% Standard-product APR. Maine production averages 1,200-1,350 kWh/kW/year. Efficiency Maine heat pump rebates ($2,000) stack separately. 660+ FICO required.
Maine has two investor-owned utility territories, and Propel works in both. The net billing structure is similar across both utilities, but rates differ slightly.
Maine's net billing framework is one of the most solar-friendly in New England. Unlike states that have moved to time-of-use or reduced export rates, Maine continues to credit solar exports at the full retail rate. This means every kWh your Propel system generates — whether you use it immediately or export it — has the same value. This consistency makes Propel savings calculations straightforward and reliable.
Here are typical system configurations for Maine homeowners, based on NuWatt installation data and Maine solar production factors.
Best for: Smaller homes, moderate usage, budget-conscious
Best for: Most Maine homes, good roof area, full offset goal
Best for: Large homes, high usage, electrification (HP + EV)
All estimates assume 9.69% APR (the Standard product, effective May 25, 2026), 40% ITC (30% base + 10% required domestic-content adder), south-facing roof with minimal shading, and 25-year loan term. Actual costs and production vary by location, roof orientation, shading, and credit tier.
Maine is further north than many people expect for solar, but the state's long summer days, cool temperatures (which improve panel efficiency), and clear winter skies produce solid annual output. Here is what to expect from the Maine solar climate.
Maine's annual production is lower than Texas (1,200-1,350 vs 1,500-1,700 kWh/kW), but Maine's higher electricity rates ($0.23-$0.27/kWh vs $0.12-$0.17/kWh) mean the dollar value per kWh produced is often higher. A kWh generated in Maine is worth $0.25, while a kWh in Texas might only offset $0.14 of grid power. This makes Maine solar economics surprisingly strong despite the latitude.
Maine offers several incentives that work alongside Propel to maximize your clean energy savings.
Federal ITC (30-50%) — Handled by Propel
AutomaticThe Section 48E ITC is claimed by the third-party owner and passed to you through a lower financed amount. 30% base + 10% FEOC (Silfab) + 10% energy community (if eligible). No action required from you.
Maine Property Tax Exemption — Automatic
AutomaticSolar equipment is fully exempt from Maine property tax for the life of the system. Your home value increases but your property tax does not. No application needed.
Maine Sales Tax Exemption — Automatic
AutomaticSolar equipment is exempt from Maine's 5.5% sales tax. This saves $1,320-$1,650 on a typical $24,000-$30,000 system. The exemption is applied at purchase — no rebate filing needed.
Full Retail Net Billing — Ongoing
OngoingEvery kWh exported to the grid is credited at the full retail rate. Credits roll over month to month. This is the ongoing benefit that drives your electricity savings for 25 years.
Efficiency Maine Heat Pump Rebate — Separate Application
SeparateIf you are also installing a heat pump, Efficiency Maine offers a $2,000 rebate for qualifying systems. This is separate from your Propel solar installation and does not affect your solar financing. Apply through Efficiency Maine after heat pump installation.
NuWatt has been installing solar in Maine since 2008. Here is the typical Propel customer experience from start to finish for Maine homeowners.
Initial Consultation (Week 1)
We review your electricity usage (CMP or Versant bill), assess your roof via satellite imagery and/or site visit, and check your Propel eligibility with a soft credit pull. No impact on your credit score.
Custom Proposal (Week 1-2)
You receive a detailed proposal showing system size, Silfab 440W panel layout, estimated annual production based on NREL Maine data, monthly payment by credit tier, and 25-year savings projection against your current electricity rate.
Loan Processing (Week 2-3)
Concert Finance processes your application. Hard credit pull occurs. Loan terms locked. Medallion Bank originates the loan. You sign the loan agreement and Prepaid ESA.
Permitting (Week 3-6)
NuWatt handles all municipal permitting. Maine permitting timelines vary: Portland and larger cities typically process in 2-3 weeks. Rural towns may take 3-5 weeks. We manage the entire process.
Installation (Week 6-8)
Installation typically takes 1-2 days for an 8-10kW system. Maine weather can affect scheduling — we avoid installation during active storms or heavy snow. Silfab panels are rated for Maine snow loads.
Utility Interconnection (Week 8-12)
NuWatt files the interconnection application with CMP or Versant. Approval typically takes 2-4 weeks. Once approved, your system goes live and begins producing power. Net billing credits start immediately.
Total timeline: 8-12 weeks
From your first call to system activation, the typical Maine Propel timeline is 8-12 weeks. Weather, permitting, and utility interconnection are the main variables. Starting the process in spring (March-May) or early summer ensures your system is producing during the peak summer months when Maine solar output is highest.
Propel is available to homeowners in both of Maine's utility territories: Central Maine Power (CMP) serving southern and central Maine, and Versant Power (formerly Emera Maine) serving northern and eastern Maine. Both utilities support the net billing framework that makes Propel financially viable. As long as you meet the credit and property requirements, Propel is available regardless of which Maine utility serves your home.
Maine uses a net billing system where solar energy sent to the grid is credited at the full retail rate on a 1:1 basis. This means every kWh your Propel system produces that you do not use immediately is credited at the same rate you would pay to buy that kWh from CMP or Versant. This is one of the best solar compensation structures in the country and is a key reason why Propel works well in Maine.
Most Maine homes install 8-10kW Propel systems. This typically requires 18-23 Silfab 440W panels and produces 9,600-13,500 kWh annually (depending on roof orientation and shading). At current Maine electricity rates of $0.23-$0.27/kWh, a 10kW system offsets $2,200-$3,650 in annual electricity costs. System size depends on your roof area, electricity usage, and budget.
A typical 8-10kW Propel system in Maine has a gross cost of $24,000-$30,000 before the ITC pass-through. With the 40% ITC (30% base + 10% required domestic-content adder from Silfab panels), the effective financed amount drops to approximately $14,400-$18,000 — a realized discount of approximately 29% off cash in Maine. Monthly payments range from $120-$160 at 9.69% APR (standard tier) over 25 years; rates effective May 25, 2026, after Concert Finance raised Propel APRs by 0.70%. If your property is in an energy community census tract, the 50% ITC reduces the financed amount further.
Efficiency Maine heat pump rebates ($2,000 for qualifying systems) are separate from your solar installation and can be stacked with a Propel system. The heat pump rebate applies to the heat pump purchase, not the solar panels. If you are doing a whole-home electrification project (solar + heat pump), you can use Propel for the solar portion and the Efficiency Maine rebate for the heat pump — they do not conflict.
Yes. Maine provides a full property tax exemption for solar energy equipment for the life of the system. This means your home value increases from the solar installation (approximately 4%), but your property tax does not increase. The exemption is automatic — no application required. This applies during both the managed phase (years 1-5) and after ownership transfer.
Maine receives approximately 4.5 peak sun hours per day on average, with production ranging from 1,200 to 1,350 kWh per installed kW per year. Southern Maine (Portland, Kennebunk, York) trends toward the higher end. Northern Maine (Bangor, Aroostook County) trends toward the lower end. Winter production is lower due to shorter days and snow cover, but Maine's long summer days compensate. NuWatt uses local NREL solar data to estimate your specific production.
Maine was one of the first states selected for Propel because of its favorable regulatory environment: strong net billing at full retail rate, high electricity rates ($0.23-$0.27/kWh making solar savings significant), no sales tax on solar, full property tax exemption, and a regulatory framework that supports third-party ownership structures. Concert Finance and its installer partners (including NuWatt) have established operations in Maine to serve this market.
Maine is one of the best Propel markets in the country. Check your eligibility with a soft credit pull — no impact on your score.
Propel financing provided by Concert Finance. Loans originated by Medallion Bank, Member FDIC.
Propel Solar Main Page
Qualifier tool, rate calculator, and program overview.
Maine Propel Solar
NuWatt's Maine-specific Propel page.
Propel Cost Calculator
Estimate your payment by system size and credit tier.
Propel Eligibility Guide
Detailed qualification requirements.
Propel Solar Texas Review
How Propel works in the other live market.
How Propel Solar Works
Step-by-step guide to the complete Propel process.
Elena helps homeowners plan whole-home electrification projects — solar, heat pumps, batteries, and EV charging. She focuses on financing strategies and long-term energy savings.