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Maine rooftop solar receives 1:1 retail-rate bill credits. LD 1777 only changed community solar — your rooftop NEB is protected. CMP credits at $0.27/kWh, Versant at $0.32/kWh. Here is everything you need to know.
Rooftop solar NEB is protected. LD 1777 did NOT change residential rooftop net metering.
Only community solar projects filed after January 1, 2024, are affected by LD 1777. Your rooftop system continues to receive full 1:1 retail-rate credits.
Credit Rate
1:1 Retail
Full retail rate credits
CMP NEB Value
$2,916/yr
9 kW system
Versant NEB Value
$3,456/yr
9 kW system
LD 1777 Impact
None
Rooftop not affected
Maine rooftop solar receives 1:1 retail-rate bill credits for all electricity exported to the grid. Credits roll over monthly and are trued up annually at avoided cost.
Rooftop solar exports earn credits at your full retail electricity rate.
Excess credits roll over month to month automatically. Summer overproduction offsets winter shortfall.
At the end of your billing year, any remaining excess credits are compensated at the avoided cost rate (lower than retail).
There is no maximum system size for residential NEB in Maine.
LD 1777 (2023) changed community solar compensation. Rooftop residential NEB remains at 1:1 retail rate.
Both utilities offer 1:1 retail NEB, but the dollar value differs because Versant has higher rates. Here is the breakdown for a typical 9 kW system producing 10,800 kWh/year.
Annual Difference: $540/year more in Versant territory
Over 25 years, a Versant customer earns approximately $13,500 more from the same 9 kW system, simply because Versant rates are higher. This is why Versant territory has a 12-14 year payback vs CMP's 15-17 years.
LD 1777 (2023 Community Solar Law Change) is widely misunderstood. Many people assume it changed all net metering in Maine. In reality, it only changed compensation for new community solar projects. Rooftop residential solar was NOT affected.
| Category | Before LD 1777 | After LD 1777 (Jan 2024) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooftop Residential Solar | 1:1 retail NEB credits | 1:1 retail NEB credits (NO CHANGE) | No Change |
| New Community Solar (post-Jan 2024) | 1:1 retail NEB credits | Tariff-based rate (below retail) | Changed |
| Existing Community Solar (pre-Jan 2024) | 1:1 retail NEB credits | Grandfathered at 1:1 NEB | No Change |
Rooftop residential solar is NOT affected by LD 1777
Only community solar projects filed after Jan 1, 2024 are affected
Existing community solar subscribers keep their current rate
New community solar compensation is lower than retail rate
Law was designed to reduce cost-shifting to non-solar customers
Community solar still exists in Maine, but the economics have changed for new projects.
1:1 retail NEB credits maintained
10-15% savings off electric bill
Protected for full contract term
Tariff-based rate (below retail)
5-10% savings (lower than before)
Rate set by Maine PUC methodology
Because excess credits at the annual true-up are compensated at avoided cost (lower than retail), oversizing your system wastes money. Here is how to size correctly.
Check your utility bill for your total annual kWh usage. CMP and Versant both show this on your bill or online portal. Average Maine home uses 7,200-10,800 kWh/year.
Divide your annual kWh by 1,200 (Maine's average kWh/kW/year production). Example: 10,800 kWh / 1,200 = 9 kW system.
Size your system to match 90-100% of annual usage. Going above 100% means excess credits are compensated at avoided cost (much lower than retail). Aim for efficient credit usage.
Net Energy Billing is Maine's net metering program. When your rooftop solar produces more electricity than you use, the excess is exported to the grid and you receive bill credits at the full 1:1 retail rate. Credits roll over monthly. At the annual true-up, any remaining excess credits are compensated at the avoided cost rate (lower than retail).
No. LD 1777 (effective January 1, 2024) only changed compensation for new community solar projects. Your rooftop residential solar continues to receive 1:1 retail-rate NEB credits. This is a common misconception — LD 1777 does not affect individual rooftop systems.
Both utilities provide 1:1 retail-rate NEB credits for rooftop solar. The difference is the rate: CMP customers receive $0.27/kWh credits while Versant customers receive $0.32/kWh credits. A 9 kW system earns approximately $2,916/year in CMP territory and $3,456/year in Versant territory — a $540/year difference.
Credits roll over month to month throughout your billing year. At the annual true-up, any remaining excess credits are compensated at the utility's avoided cost rate, which is lower than the retail rate. To maximize value, size your system to match your annual usage so you use all credits before the true-up.
There is no residential system size cap for NEB in Maine. You can size your system to offset 100% of your electricity usage. However, sizing significantly above your annual usage is not economical because excess credits at the annual true-up are only compensated at avoided cost.
New community solar projects filed after January 1, 2024, receive compensation at a tariff-based rate set by the Maine PUC, which is lower than the retail rate. Existing community solar projects approved before this date are grandfathered and keep their 1:1 NEB credits for the full contract term. New subscribers can still save 5-10%, but pre-2024 projects offer better savings (10-15%).
Individual homeowners cannot directly sell electricity to others. However, you can subscribe to community solar programs or participate in NEB. Your excess generation creates bill credits on your account. If you have multiple meters or properties, Maine allows group NEB where credits can be allocated among multiple accounts under common ownership.
The true-up timing depends on your utility. CMP true-up typically occurs in March. Versant handles true-up annually based on your billing cycle. Contact your utility to confirm your specific true-up month. Plan your system sizing so that you use most credits before the true-up to avoid the lower avoided-cost compensation.
Calculate your annual NEB savings based on your utility territory, system size, and actual electricity usage. Accurate 2026 data for CMP and Versant.