Community Solar in the state of Maine is governed by by P.L. 2019 c. 478, P.L. 2021 c.390, and Chapter 313 of the Public Utility Commissions (PUC) rules. These rules govern the state's Net Energy Billing (NEB) Policy. Under NEB there are two programs which customers can participate in "Community" or shared renewable projects, a kWh credit program, which is available to all electric utility customers, and a tariff rate program, which is available to non-residential customers.
Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program
The kWh program allows customers to choose to participate in a larger project on a “shared” basis with other customers. These projects provide kWh credits on participating customers' electricity bills at the retail kWh rate.
Projects less than 5 MW in capacity are eligible for the program. By 2025, projects with a capacity between at least 1 MW and max 2 MW can be used under the kWh Credit Program if the system is commercially operational by the date specified in a net energy billing agreement or an amended agreement. Projects between more than 2 MW and max 5 MW have similar participatory exceptions and more.
Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program
The Tariff Rate Program, for non-residential customers, provides dollar credits on participating customers' electricity bills. Rates are determined annually by the PUC. For current rates used to determine the monthly credit, please see the Net Energy Tariff Rates on PUC's website.
After 2023, a project may be used for the Tariff Rate Program if it is collocated with all the associated customers, and that those customers are subscribed to 100% of the output. This rule does not apply to projects with a net energy billing agreement that was executed before 2024.
Key features of the NEB program:
For more information please visit Maine's Public Utilities Commission website for more information.
| Implementing Sector: | State |
| Category: | Regulatory Policy |
| State: | Maine |
| Incentive Type: | Community Solar Rules |
| Web Site: | https://www.maine.gov/mpuc/regulated-utilities/electricity/neb |
| Administrator: | Maine Public Utilities Commission |
| Start Date: | |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
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| Applicable Utilities: |
Entities that market projects to residential or small commercial customers must be registered with the PUC. See the list of Registered Project Sponsors, Marketers, etc. |
| System Capacity Limit: | 5 MW (with certain exceptions for projects with a capacity between at least 1 MW and no more than 2 MW, as well as between more than 2 MW and max 5 MW) |
| Program Capacity Limit: | N/A |
| Participant Credit Rate: | Tariff rate recalculated every 12 months. See Net Energy Tariff Rates for more information. |
| Low-Moderate Income Provisions: | Utilities must pay the value of all unused kilowatt-hour credits by January 1st each year for the benefit of those receiving low-income assistance in the form of a refund. |
| Name: | Chapter 313 |
| Name: | 35-A MRSA §3209-A (Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program) |
| Name: | 35-A MRSA §3209-B (Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program) |
| Name: | Consumer Resources |
| Organization: | Maine Public Utilities Commission |
| Address: |
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| Phone: | (207) 287-3831 |
| Name: | Developers, Sponsors and Marketers Resources |
| Organization: | Maine Public Utilities Commission |
| Address: |
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| Email: | PUCenergyDeveloperFAQ@maine.gov |
This information is sourced from DSIRE; 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.
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