Maine

Maine is undergoing a significant shift in its commercial solar policy beginning in 2026, driven by changes to its Net Energy Billing (NEB) program. For several years the NEB program helped spur rapid growth in solar by giving commercial developers and community projects credits on electric bills for power they exported to the grid, but lawmakers passed new legislation in 2025 that effectively eliminates most of these incentives for new commercial projects starting in 2026, restricts eligibility, and adds new charges aimed at reducing costs passed to ratepayers. Developers must have projects operational by mid-2026 to qualify under the old NEB rules, and Maine energy officials are required to design a new renewable energy incentive framework by September 2026 to replace the phased-out NEB program.

Because of these changes, many large commercial solar developers have raised concerns about investment risk, with at least 100 solar farm owners filing a lawsuit claiming the rollback undermines existing projects and contractual expectations. These legal challenges highlight the tension between controlling ratepayer costs and maintaining predictable policy support for clean energy. Despite the policy shift, community solar and distributed generation projects already in operation or entering into agreements before the cutoff are still progressing, and developers continue to explore future builds under evolving rules.

Beyond incentive structures, Maine still maintains aggressive long-term clean energy goals, including a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 90 % by 2040 and a Clean Energy Standard targeting 100 % by 2040, which continue to encourage deployment of renewables like solar alongside wind, hydro, and storage. While the economics for large commercial solar projects are in flux as the state transitions its policies, the broader regulatory environment still supports renewable growth, and both ongoing and newly proposed projects are moving through planning and permitting stages toward eventual construction.

Maine has taken a strong pro–wind power stance at the state level, particularly for commercial and utility-scale development. Through policies such as the Maine Wind Energy Act and an expanded Renewable Portfolio Standard, the state has committed to reaching 100% clean electricity by 2040. Large onshore wind farms are considered in the public interest, and Maine is also pursuing offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine, including floating turbine research and long-term procurement goals. State agencies streamline permitting for grid-scale projects while requiring environmental review and community input.

At the same time, commercial wind projects have faced mixed reactions at the local level. While many residents support wind energy for its economic benefits, tax revenue, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, others have raised concerns about visual impacts, noise, wildlife effects, and changes to rural landscapes. Some municipalities have adopted stricter zoning ordinances or temporary moratoriums to reassess local regulations. As a result, although the state government is broadly supportive, individual communities sometimes push back or seek greater control over siting decisions.

For residential and community-scale wind power, Maine’s stance is generally permissive but locally governed. Smaller wind turbines (often under 100 kW) are typically regulated through municipal zoning and building codes, with rules addressing height limits, setbacks, and safety standards. Compared to solar, residential wind adoption has been more limited due to site-specific wind requirements and permitting considerations. Overall, Maine encourages wind energy as part of its clean energy strategy, but balances that support with environmental safeguards and local authority over land use decisions.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Maine continues to expand rapidly through 2026 and beyond, driven by statewide planning efforts and strong federal support. Through the Recharge Maine initiative led by Maine Department of Transportation and partner agencies, the state is building out DC fast chargers along major corridors such as I-95 and U.S. Route 1, while also increasing Level 2 community charging in towns and rural areas. The goal is to create a reliable network with chargers spaced roughly every 50 miles, ensuring residents and visitors can travel confidently across the state.

Much of this growth is supported by funding from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) and other clean transportation grants, which are helping deploy high-speed charging stations statewide. Maine has already surpassed 1,000 public charging ports, and additional fast-charging locations are scheduled to come online through 2026 to close remaining gaps. These investments not only support EV adoption but also strengthen tourism, local businesses, and long-term energy resilience.

Looking ahead, Maine’s continued EV charging development will focus on reliability, equitable access, and future-ready infrastructure to meet growing demand. If you’re interested in installing EV charging at your home, business, or property—or would like to learn more about upcoming projects—please fill out our contact form, and one of our EV specialists will reach out to you within 24 hours to discuss your needs and next steps.