Solar Energy in Maine- Where the Sun Does Shine!
Maine receives roughly 20% more annual sunshine than Germany, the world leader in solar energy installations.The cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels has declined more than 50% in the last five years. A 30% federal tax credit is available to install solar energy systems. And, a 2015 cost valuation study finds that distributed solar power provides significant energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
Is Maine’s public policy delivering the appropriate economic and environmental return on investments in solar energy?The sun may soon be shining more brightly on the state’s solar industry. The Maine Public Utilities Commission and the Maine Public Advocate are wrapping up stakeholder meetings intended to develop an alternative to net energy billing, with a report that many hope the Legislature will use to address barriers to technologies and spur the solar market. The PUC has also approved terms of a $100 million 20-year contract to develop solar farms that can generate up to 75 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 10,000 Maine homes. Up to now, long-term contracts have mainly been awarded to wind projects.
Join us for a discussion of recent on-site and grid-scale solar energy projects and policies.