Switch your electricity supply to Solar

Thanks to Community Solar, for the first time ever, all York area residents
can now switch their electricity to 100% Solar

 

✓  CMP will still deliver the electricity to your home
✓  Your electricity cost will go down
✓  Immediate and big reduction in your home’s greenhouse gas emission
✓  NO cost or investment to switch to Solar (Option 1)

 

Quick Overview / Big Picture

Thanks to Governor Mills and the Maine Legislature, a landmark bill was passed in 2019 that greatly incentivized solar development in Maine. As a result, Solar companies have built and continue to build multiple solar farms in Maine. This is a huge win for both residents and the environment.

All of Maine’s residents, regardless of whether you own or rent, whether you live in a condo or single-family home, whether or not your roof faces south or you are surrounded by trees, whether you have the resources to purchase your own solar panels or not…… you can now switch your electricity source to solar.

That means you now have the opportunity to significantly reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions your home creates each year. Simply put, if you receive a CMP bill, you now have the option to switch to solar.

How is this possible…?!?

This is possible with Community Solar Farms!

Putting solar panels on your roof or in your yard continues to be a great option for many residents… and now with the dramatic increase in Community Solar farms in Maine, solar is available to everyone! By simply joining a solar farm, you are assigned enough solar panels to cover your annual electricity usage. Every month, CMP will credit your bill for the amount of electricity your panels generated. Your solar farm then only bills you for 85% or 90% of that CMP credit amount….so you save either 10% or 15% on your monthly electricity supply cost. (Some farms offer 10% discount, some offer 15%)

We have a unique opportunity…

Join the over 5000 Mainer’s who have already made the switch to Community Solar

We have a unique opportunity, thanks to this legislation and to the solar companies that have invested in Maine, to do what only a handful of states have the chance to do. The opportunity for any resident to switch to solar power.

Let’s help pave the way and take advantage of this opportunity. Let’s lead by example.

Let’s make York and our surrounding towns a model of what is possible in this fight against climate change …..an example that others will follow….an example that delivers a significant blow to rising emissions. Let’s go solar together!

What is the York EcoHOME action of the month?

Switch your electricity supply to solar

With the explosion of new solar farms in Maine, you now have 3 different ways to switch to solar

Community Solar Subscription 3rd row
Option 1
 Community Solar Subscription
✓ Zero investment. Zero start-up costs✓ Save 10 to 15% on your monthly electricity supply cost✓ You are assigned enough solar panels to covers most or all of your annual electricity use*
✓ CMP still delivers your electricity ✓ No termination fee to get out (3 of the 5 farms have no termination fee)✓ Over 5000 Mainer’s have already signed up for subscription Community Solar Farms
Option 2Option 3
Option 2
 Community Solar Shared Ownership		Option 3
 Solar On Your Roof
• Average investment $15,000 to $30,000 before 26% tax credit (can be financed over 20 years, $0 down)• Average investment $15,000 to $30,000 before 26% tax credit (can be financed over 25years
• Save up to 50% on your electricity supply cost over a 25 year period• Save up to 50% on you monthly electricity supply cost over 25 year period
• CMP still delivers your electricity• CMP still provides your electricity when sun is not shining
• Requires selling your shares to get out
• Your share amount is matched to your homes’ electricity needs
• Over 200 Mainers have already signed up for shared ownership Community Solar Farms
How do I sign up?

Option 1: Community Solar Subscription
Below are the subscription Community Solar Farm companies that we have been able to identify and speak with…..and that are currently accepting York residents for a Subscription-based Farm. Included are direct phone numbers and links. These companies are ready to speak with you to answer any questions you may have.

View Table
ProviderSolar Developer LocationCustomer Service LocationSolar Farm LocationPlanned Start Up DateSavings off Annual Supply Electricity CostsWill I still get a CMP BillTermination FeeRequested Notice to TerminateDirect PhoneWebsite LinkDirect EmailPromo Code
AmpionCaliforniaBoston, MALewiston, Waterville, Poland (and more!)Dec 202115%Yes, plus one from the Farm$0180 days207- 708-8657click hereclick hereAutomatic with Link, $200 Visa gift card for signing up
Nautilus Solar EnergyYork, ME and NJYork ME and PAWells, Sanford, FarmingdaleOct 202115%Yes, plus one from the Farm$090 Days207-518-8466 or 866-969-4129click hereclick hereAutomatic with link ($100 for signing up)
PowerMarket Portsmouth NH MaineGardiner MEFebruary 202210%Yes, plus one from the Farm$060 Days207-997-3481 click hereclick hereYorkEco ($100 for signing up)
Maine Solar SolutionsNew YorkMaineAugusta MEAugust 202115%Yes, plus one from the Farm$275 3 days207-871-7191click hereclick here
NexampBoston MABoston MARichmond MEJuly 202215%Yes, plus one from the Farm$090 DaysUse Email or Linkclick hereclick here
RelayPowerNew YorkMassachusettsVarious ME LocationsSeptember 202115%Yes, plus one from the Farm$090 Days207-550-2118click hereclick hereAutomatic with link ($100 for signing up)
Common Energy *SOLD OUT*New JerseyNew YorkShaker ME*SOLD OUT*10%Yes, plus one from the Farm$0844-445-3644click hereclick here
. 

Option 2: Community Solar Shared Ownership
Below are the share-ownership Community Solar Farm companies that we have been able to identify and speak with….and that are currently accepting York residents for a Shared-Ownership Farm. Included are direct phone numbers and links. These companies are ready to speak with you to answer any questions you may have.

View Table
ProviderSolar Developer LocationCustomer Service LocationSolar Farm LocationPlanned Start Up DateSavings off Annual Supply Electricity CostsWill I still get a CMP BillTerm of ContractDirect PhoneWebsite Link
Revision EnergySo. Portland MESo. Portland MEKnox MEFall 202150% over 25 YearsYes25 Years207-221-6342click here
. 

Option 3: Solar on your rooftop

There are many companies that can install solar panels on your rooftop or ground-mounted on your property. Here are links to top Maine and NH companies according to SolarReviews.com

View Companies

Maine Solar Installers – click here

NH Solar Installers – click here

. 

 

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
~Howard Zinn

Will it reduce my greenhouse gas emissions?

Absolutely.
If you are like most CMP customers, your electricity is 82% sourced from fossil fuels. A typical York household uses 7,500 kWh’s per year, which creates 6000 lbs or 3 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That is equivalent to the emissions from a car driving 9200 miles. By switching to solar, you are eliminating a majority of these emissions. That’s BIG!

Will it reduce my consumption?

No.
Reducing the amount of electricity we consume is an important part of the solution.

But this action addresses the source of your electricity, not reducing the amount you use.

Will it reduce my monthly costs?

Yes.
Option 1 will reduce your electricity supply cost by 10-15% immediately.

Options 2&3 will reduce your electricity supply cost by up to 50% over a 25 year period.

FAQ’s

You should join a community solar farm or put solar panels on your roof if:

1) You want to reduce most of the emissions created by your electricity.

2) You want to reduce your annual cost of electricity, and

3) You want to participate in Maine’s transition to renewable energy for electricity supply.

Yes.

You will save about 10% to 15% of your electricity supply charge.

(You will still pay CMP for electricity delivery charges)

For 3 of the 5 companies, are is no cancellation fee… you just need to give a 60 to 90-day notice. That’s it.

2 of the 5 companies have a $275 cancellation fee.

Yes.

And if you go with Community Solar, you will receive a second bill from your Solar company.

PowerMarket’s Baldwin ME solar farm is planning to turn on in 2 months, March 2021.

This solar farm is fully built and approved.

They will turn it on as soon as 500 residents have subscribed. (as of Feb 1, 250+ have already subscribed). The others’ planned start dates range from June 2021 to July 2022. This July 2022 start date is for Nexamp. Their start date is not until next year because their first 5 solar farms in Maine are already sold out.

The Community Solar company you choose will assign you (your CMP account number) enough solar panels to cover most of your electricity usage.

Each month, CMP will issue a credit on your bill for the amount of electricity your panels generated. Your Community Solar company is then alerted by CMP as to that credit amount each month.

Your solar company then bills you for either 85% or 90% of that exact credit amount.

That means an instant 10% to 15% savings for you.

No, regulations do not allow CMP to make the switch.

You have to make the change through the solar company and they will inform CMP of the change.

Because Governor Mills and the Maine Legislature passed bills in 2019 that greatly incentivized solar companies to build Community Solar Farms. These farms are now coming online and available to Mainers.

Thanks to the 2019 Maine Legislation, it is not too good to be true. For some, the only “catches” are…

1. You will start receiving 2 monthly bills instead of 1

2. For 4 of the 5 companies, auto payment from your bank account is the only payment option. (The 1 company that accepts checks and credit cards doesn’t have availability for new customers until the summer of 2022). The reason being, CMP doesn’t pay these solar companies for the electricity they are putting into the grid. These companies rely 100% on getting paid by us, so guaranteed on-time payments are very important to their operation and their ability to offer a discount. The solar companies will encrypt your bank account information to ensure the highest level of security and protection.

Yes…your solar panels in your Community Solar Farm will generate enough electricity to cover most or all of your annual electricity usage.

As soon as your Community Solar Farm comes online.

See tables above for planned start updates.

The Maine Public Advocate’s conclusions about solar in Maine are:

1) It is brand new to Maine.

2) It is not fraudulent.

3) You will save money on your electric bill.

They offer a 2 to 3-minute video on their website and additional information. https://www.maine.gov/meopa/electricity/community_solar

If you don’t want to go solar, you can pick a CMP program or supplier that will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that help support renewable energy production. RECs are a bit confusing and require a fair amount of explaining. But one easy answer to this question is the Maine Green Power program offered by the Maine Public Utility Commission. Essentially, for an extra $8.95/month, which is added to your CMP bill, they will purchase enough RECs to “offset” the average Maine household’s electricity use. 90+% of these RECs are purchased from Maine hydroelectric plants. The rest come from solar and wind companies. You can learn more and enroll at https://megreenpower.com/ If you want other options to consider for REC’s, please email us at info@yorkreadyfor100.org

Are you looking for more ideas…?

Check out some of the other EcoHOMES Actions:

Are you looking for more information…?

Check out some of our EcoHOMES Initiatives:
Switch your electricity supply to Solar
FREE LED Bulb Exchange
Composting/Food Waste Recycling
Learn More Learn More Learn More
Air Dry Your Clothes
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Learn More Learn More

Do you have questions or comments?
We would love to hear from you!

Click here to send us a private email or post a comment/question on the EcoHOMES solar discussion board below.

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Are the community solar options still available??

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Thanks for the question Linda! Yes, several Community Solar Farms are taking new customers and starting up in the next few months. See the contact info above in the “How do I Sign Up” section….Option 1. This is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your emissions. AND reduce your electricity bill. THANK YOU for TAKING ACTION!!

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Thank you for all of this great information! Im amazed with how many solar farms are either “active” or coming “online”!

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