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Quick Answer
Central Maine Power charges ~$0.27/kWh as of January 2026. Maine's net energy billing (NEB) provides 1:1 retail credit for rooftop solar. With the property tax exemption, solar payback for CMP customers is 11-13 years. LD 1777 only changed community solar -- rooftop NEB is unaffected.
Track Central Maine Power rates and see how solar with 1:1 net energy billing protects you from rising costs.
Current Rate
27.0¢/kWh
Year-over-Year Change
+6.0%Last verified: 2026-03-02 | Source: CMP standard offer rate, EIA Form 861
Annual Solar Savings
$2,916
9kW system at current CMP rates
Solar Payback Period
9.6 years
With NEB + tax exemptions
25-Year Savings
$100,564
With 3% annual rate escalation
Central Maine Power rates have risen steadily, driven by rising wholesale costs, grid maintenance in Maine's harsh climate, and infrastructure upgrades mandated by the Maine PUC.
| Period | Rate ($/kWh) | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01 | $0.2325 | -- | EIA Form 861 |
| 2024-06 | $0.2442 | +5.0% | EIA Form 861 |
| 2025-01 | $0.2548 | +4.3% | CMP standard offer rate |
| 2025-06 | $0.2635 | +3.4% | EIA Form 861 |
| 2026-01 | $0.2700 | +2.5% | CMP standard offer rate |
CMP (~70% of customers)
$0.27/kWh
Southern & central Maine
Versant (~30% of customers)
$0.32/kWh
Northern & eastern Maine
Maine lacks a state solar rebate and the federal residential ITC (25D) expired, but strong net metering and tax exemptions still make solar financially viable.
Maine's NEB provides full 1:1 retail-rate credits for rooftop solar. Every kWh exported to CMP's grid earns a credit worth the full $0.27/kWh. LD 1777 (2023) only changed community solar compensation -- rooftop NEB is completely unaffected.
Annual NEB Value (9kW system): ~$2,795 | Credits roll over monthly, trued up annually at avoided cost
Maine provides 100% statewide property tax exemption for solar installations (not local option like NH -- it applies everywhere). Solar equipment is also exempt from Maine's 5.5% sales tax, saving approximately $1,510 on a typical 9kW system.
Over 60% of Maine homes heat with oil at $3.82/gallon. Combining solar with an Efficiency Maine heat pump rebate ($1,000-$3,000/unit) lets CMP customers offset both electricity and heating costs. Solar powers the heat pump, and NEB credits cover the difference.
Payback periods for CMP customers at the current $0.27/kWh rate. Versant customers at $0.32/kWh see 2-3 years faster payback.
| System Size | Gross Cost | Annual Savings | Payback (CMP) | Payback (Versant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $18,300 | $1,944 | 8.9 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 8 kW | $24,400 | $2,592 | 8.9 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 9 kW | $27,450 | $2,916 | 8.9 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 12 kW | $36,600 | $3,888 | 8.9 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
* Payback includes NEB credits and property tax exemption savings. Sales tax exemption is unverified. Assumes $3.05/W, 1,150 kWh/kW production. No federal ITC (25D expired). No state solar rebate.
CMP rates rose from $0.23/kWh to $0.27/kWh since 2024. Solar production locks in your cost at effectively $0/kWh for 25+ years.
Full retail-rate credits for rooftop solar. LD 1777 only changed community solar -- your rooftop system gets the full $0.27/kWh credit.
100% property tax exemption (statewide, not local option). Sales tax exemption is unverified — verify with your installer.
60%+ of Maine homes heat with oil at $3.82/gal. Solar + heat pump eliminates both electric and heating fuel costs.
As of January 2026, Central Maine Power charges approximately $0.27/kWh for residential customers. This includes both the standard offer supply rate and the delivery rate. CMP rates have risen steadily from $0.23/kWh in early 2024.
Maine's Net Energy Billing (NEB) provides 1:1 retail-rate credits for rooftop solar. Every kWh your panels export to the CMP grid earns a credit at the full $0.27/kWh retail rate. Credits roll over monthly and are trued up annually at the avoided cost rate. Importantly, LD 1777 (2023) only changed community solar compensation -- rooftop NEB is NOT affected.
While Efficiency Maine focuses primarily on heat pump rebates ($1,000-$3,000/unit), solar customers benefit from Maine's 100% statewide property tax exemption (36 M.R.S. §655). Sales tax exemption status is unverified — verify with your installer. There is no state solar rebate in Maine. The federal residential ITC (25D) expired December 31, 2025, so homeowners paying cash or taking a loan receive no federal credit.
CMP charges ~$0.27/kWh while Versant charges ~$0.32/kWh. Versant customers actually see faster solar payback (12-14 years vs. 15-17 years for CMP) because higher rates mean more savings per kWh of solar production. Both utilities provide 1:1 NEB credits.
At CMP's $0.27/kWh rate, a typical 9kW solar system costing approximately $27,450 has a payback period of about 11-13 years when accounting for NEB credits and tax exemptions. Without any incentives, payback would be closer to 14-15 years on utility savings alone.
Maine electricity rates are above the national average (~$0.16/kWh) due to several factors: limited in-state generation requiring imported power, aging transmission infrastructure, harsh climate increasing maintenance costs, and New England wholesale market dynamics. CMP has also faced regulatory scrutiny over billing accuracy and service quality, with the Maine PUC approving rate adjustments to fund grid improvements.
Get a free solar estimate for your CMP account. See your exact savings with 1:1 NEB credits and Maine tax exemptions.