Solar power in Maine

Solar power in Maine on rooftops, utilizing 6,300 megawatts (MW) of solar panels, can provide 60% of the electricity used in Maine according to a 2016 U.S. Department of Energy study. Maine and Vermont are tied for the second highest rooftop solar potential in the country, only behind the state of California.[1] A 2020 estimate suggests that a typical 5.6 kilowatt (kW) residential system will pay for itself in 6-7 years and generate a profit of $45,000 over the rest of its 25-year life from the tax credits and utility savings.[2]

Solar panels

Net metering is available to all consumers for up to at least 100 kW generation. Excess generation is rolled over each month but is lost at the end of each year.[3] Maine provides a range of additional programs to incentive efficient energy use, as well as promote the transition to solar and other forms of renewable energy.[4]

Installed capacity

Solar insolation in Maine is roughly 33% greater than Germany, the leader in solar installations in 2012.

Source: NREL[5]
Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Year Capacity Installed % Change
20070.2
20080.30.150%
20090.30%
20100.50.267%
20111.10.6120%
20122.81.7154%
20135.32.589%
201412.77.4140%
201519.46.753%
201624.14.724%
201742.518.476%
201867.725.259%
201985.217.526%

Net-metering policy revisions

In early 2017, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) made a decision to phase out solar credits over 15 years. Current customers and new customers up until January 1, 2018 would be grandfathered and receive the current incentives and terms as of 2017. The policy applied to residential solar customers only, not large-scale or community projects. The decision was the result of the commission effort to find a middle ground between solar supporters and opponents of net metering.[15][16]

Maine Gov. Paul LePage "lambasted the utility regulators" in a "rare press conference." He said he wants all three commissioners replaced immediately because of their decision. (He appointed all three of them to their seats). He also said that he wants to possibly expand the commission from three seats to five seats.[16] As of February 2017, there were around a dozen pieces of legislation concerning solar net metering introduced in the Maine state legislature.[15]

The net-metering policy in-force prior to 2017 was restored in April 2019 under Maine Gov. Janet Mills.[17]

Notable and large installations
See also: List of power stations in Maine § Solar

In October 2007, Maine's largest solar array was the 15.12 kW solar array installed at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell for $166,000,[18] which through June 11, 2012 has generated 73,416 kWh.[19] Since then average solar costs have dropped substantially, and continue to decline.

In 2011 Maine's largest solar array, 41 kW, was installed on the roof of a new, LEED Platinum grocery store in Augusta.[20][21] A 500 kW system is proposed for otherwise unusable land at the former Loring Air Force Base.[22]

A 9.9 MW solar farm was proposed for Monroe, to be built in 2016.[23]

See also

References
  1. Pieter Gagnon, Robert Margolis, Jennifer Melius, Caleb Phillips, and Ryan Elmore (January 31, 2016). "Rooftop Solar Photo voltaic Technical Potential in the United States" (PDF). National Renewable Energy Laboratory.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Solar Reviews - Maine". www.solarreviews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  3. "Maine Public Utilities Commission Regulatory Rule - Customer Net Energy Billing" (PDF). www.maine.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-30. This rule was approved as to form and legality by the Attorney General on December 15, 1998. It was filed with the Secretary of State on December 15, 1998 and will be effective on December 20, 1998.
  4. "Maine energy programs". www.dsireusa.org. Retrieved 2020-12-30. DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and receives support from EnergySage.
  5. "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  6. Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  7. Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  8. Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  9. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  10. Sherwood, Larry (August 2008). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2007" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  11. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  12. Sherwood, Larry (July 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  13. Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  14. Maine Solar
  15. "Maine PUC approves revisions to net energy billing that impact rooftop solar". Daily Energy Insider. 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
  16. "Maine Gov. LePage calls for utility regulators to resign over solar net metering decision". Utility Dive. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
  17. "Governor Mills Signs Legislation to Restore Net Metering & Incentivize Growth of Solar Power in Maine". www.maine.gov/governor. 2019-04-02.
  18. Maine’s Largest Solar Array Built at Maple Hill Farm in Hallowell
  19. Solar Savings
  20. Hannaford set to open greenest grocery store
  21. LEED Platinum Hannaford in Augusta, Maine
  22. Loring officials envision solar farm on otherwise unusable brownfield
  23. Maine’s largest solar farm expected to go online in 2016
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