The best solar installers in Maine
A geographically balanced top 5 spanning Southern Maine (Portland metro), Midcoast (Searsport / Belfast / Camden), Central Maine (Augusta / Waterville), the Bangor area, and Western Maine — so homeowners across the state have a local-to-them option in the top picks. For the Lewiston-Auburn corridor and Aroostook / Northern Maine, see Honorable mentions below.
ReVision Energy Local
Why listed: Employee-owned, B Corp certified — and the largest residential solar contractor in Maine by install volume. South Portland and Liberty, ME offices give strong coverage across southern and midcoast Maine. Multi-year Solar Power World Top Contractor. Deep familiarity with Central Maine Power and Versant Power Net Energy Billing (NEB) enrollment and Efficiency Maine residential PV rebate eligibility.
Maine Solar Solutions Local
Why listed: Founded 2012. NABCEP-certified installers plus a Master Electrician on staff. Designs and installs grid-tied, battery backup, and off-grid systems for residential and commercial customers. Uses Silfab, REC, QCells, and Canadian Solar panels. Strong Southern Maine alternative to ReVision for homeowners in the Portland / Freeport / Brunswick corridor.
Sundog Solar Local
Why listed: Searsport-HQ residential installer with strong reputation along the Midcoast (Belfast, Camden, Rockland) and Bangor area. Specializes in grid-tied, off-grid, and battery-backup systems — especially useful for rural homeowners and properties with weak grid service. The strongest in-state HQ pick for homeowners outside the Portland metro.
Insource Renewables Local
Why listed: Pittsfield-HQ residential, commercial, and farm/agricultural solar installer covering Central Maine. Worker-owned, NABCEP-certified team. The most convenient in-state HQ pick for homeowners in the Waterville / Augusta / Skowhegan corridor and surrounding rural areas where the Portland-area installers have longer drives.
GS Renewables (Generator Services Renewables) Local
Why listed: Sanford-HQ contractor offering solar, battery backup, and standby generator installations in one shop — useful for homeowners who want resilient backup power as part of the project. Long-running local presence in southwestern Maine and the York County corridor.
National installers National
National installer footprints in Maine are thin — ME's strong local installer ecosystem and tight Net Energy Billing rules mean most nationals don't actively market here. Sunrun and Tesla Energy take some ME contracts; Palmetto Solar currently holds EnergySage's Elite+ tier (the platform's highest installer rating) but check current ME service status before quoting. National installers typically have higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the state-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
Honorable mentions
Additional installers worth getting a quote from — additional Maine-based picks and regional installers covering Maine from neighboring states.
Other Maine-based installers
Maine Solar Engineering Local
Why listed: Bangor-area residential installer offering an alternative to Sundog for Penobscot County and Eastern Maine homeowners. NABCEP-certified installers. Worth a quote for benchmarking against the Bangor-radius picks.
Maine Solar Solutions (Sunergy Solutions) Local
Why listed: Local presence covering the Lewiston-Auburn corridor — a part of central Maine sometimes underserved by Portland-area and Bangor-area installers. Verify current pricing, certifications, and recent ME references before signing.
Regional installers serving Maine
Worth a quote if you're in southern Maine (closer to NH), but expect longer drive times for service calls than a fully ME-based installer.
Granite State Solar Regional
Why listed: NH-HQ residential installer operating since 2008 with strong customer reviews and multiple Best of NH awards. Reaches Southern Maine's York County from Bow. Useful third-bid comparison for homeowners near the NH/ME border.
Maine solar economics in 2026
| Metric | Maine average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.20–$0.27 / kWh |
| Typical 8 kW system cost (cash) | $22,000–$28,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W | $2.85–3.60 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,150–1,300 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | Net energy billing program (NEB) at retail-equivalent rates |
| Average cash payback | 9–12 years |
For full state-by-state cost comparison see solar cost by state.
Maine solar incentives and rebates (2026)
Maine stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
Maine state-level incentives
- Efficiency Maine Residential PV Rebate: Per-kW rebate (verify 2026 amount; income-qualified bonus available).
- Property tax exemption: ME Statute Title 36 §656 — property tax exemption for solar.
- Sales tax: ME sales tax exemption for solar PV equipment.
Net metering & utility programs in Maine
ME has Net Energy Billing (NEB) program — credits for excess generation. See also net metering explained.
- Central Maine Power (CMP): NEB www.cmpco.com
- Versant Power: NEB (northern/eastern ME) www.versantpower.com
Maine EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- State EV purchase rebate: Efficiency Maine EV rebate: Up to $7,500 for new EV (income-qualified path).
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many Maine utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- Efficiency Maine: www.efficiencymaine.com
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=ME — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
What to verify before signing in Maine
- Contractor license: Verify with your state contractor licensing authority before signing.
- NABCEP certification: Most reputable installers carry NABCEP-certified installers on staff. Ask which crew member holds the certification.
- Insurance: General liability + workers comp + roofer's insurance separate from electrical insurance.
- References from your county: Permitting and inspection requirements vary. Ask for 2–3 references from your specific county.
- Get at least three bids: Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Got bids from Maine installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any Maine installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and financing structure — and tells you which one to sign.
Analyze My Bids →Frequently asked questions about Maine solar
Does solar make sense in Maine?
Yes for most homeowners with a $150+ monthly electric bill, an unshaded roof, and 8+ years of expected ownership. Maine's specific economics are summarized in the table above.
How much does a typical Maine solar install cost in 2026?
$22,000–$28,000 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Effective net cost depends on your state and utility incentives.
Should I get more than three bids?
Yes — three is a minimum. Four or five is better. Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Are there other reputable Maine solar installers besides these?
Many. The list above represents installers with strong public profiles in Maine; reputable installers exist beyond it. Get bids from a mix and compare them objectively rather than relying on any one list.