Efficiency Maine Renewable Energy Program

Summary

Note: All program funding has been fully allocated, and reservations are no longer being accepted. At this time, there are no plans for future solar or wind rebates. 

History

In June 2005, Maine enacted legislation (L.D. 1586) creating a rebate program for photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar-thermal systems installed at homes or businesses. Legislation enacted in April 2008 (L.D. 2283) extended the program to grid-tied wind-energy systems installed after January 1, 2009. The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) developed rules to implement the program. Rebates for PV and solar-thermal installations were unavailable for 2009. However, the governor signed legislation (L.D. 220) in early May 2009 directing the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to utilize funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to increase this rebate program by $500,000 per fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11. This legislation also required the PUC to amend the rules in order to create performance standards for solar and wind energy systems and to require applicants to calculate a simple payback period as part of the application process. In September 2009, Maine passed a large energy bill called the "Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future" (H.P. 1038). This legislation transfers all of the funding and programs over to the Efficiency Maine Trust. Legislation enacted in June 2011 (HB 568) fixes a legislative glitch with the rebate program (a result of the Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future, the program was allowed to sunset on December 31, 2010) and directs Efficiency Maine to establish new rules for the rebate program, which it did in November 2011 as part of its Renewable Resource Fund Regulations.

The rebate program has been historically funded by an assessment on the state's transmission and distribution utilities. A total of $500,000 in funding has been available for rebates annually. Of this sum, the Public Utilities Commission had allocated traditionally 60% to rebates for solar-thermal systems, 20% to rebates for PV systems, and 20% to rebates for wind-energy systems. During fiscal years 2010 and 2011, this rebate program was increased by $500,000 per year with money allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding for FY2012 of approximately $1,000,000 was approved in September 2011 and the traditional allocations are no longer applicable. See the 2012 Efficiency Maine Annual Report for more information.