Switch your electricity supply to Solar

Thanks to Community Solar, York area residents
can switch their electricity to 100% Solar

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

Watch this “What is Community Solar” 2 1/2 minute video

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.

Best of all, there is zero cost or investment for you to subscribe to a solar farm and your annual electricity cost will go down!

Putting solar panels on your roof or in your yard continues to be a great option for many residents… but now with the dramatic increase in Community Solar farms in Maine, solar is available to everyone. By simply subscribing to 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.

Which Community Solar Farm should you choose?

The table below lists all the subscription Community Solar Farms that the volunteers at York EcoHOMES have been able to reach and communicate with. Use this table to compare the different choices you have.

Most Community Solar Farms today are “subscription” based. That means you simply subscribe on a monthly basis just like you would subscribe to a newspaper or magazine. They assign you enough panels to generate the amount of electricity you use. It costs you $0 to join and your monthly electricity cost will go down. You can end your subscription whenever you want.

Provider	Solar Developer Location	Customer Service Location	Solar Farm Location	Will I still get a CMP Bill	Termination Fee	Requested Notice to Terminate	Direct Email	Promo Code
Nautilus Solar Energy	York, ME and NJ	York ME and PA	Wells, Sanford, Farmingdale	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here	Automatic with link ($50 for signing up)
PowerMarket	Portsmouth NH	ME, NY, NC	Otis Field, ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	60 Days	click here
Ampion	California	Boston, MA	Lewiston, Waterville, Poland (and more!)	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	180 days	click here	Automatic with Link, $200 Visa gift card for signing up
Nexamp	Boston MA	Boston MA	Richmond ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here
RelayPower	New York	Massachusetts	Various ME Locations	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here	Automatic with link ($100 for signing up)
Maine Solar Solutions	New York	Maine	Augusta ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$275	3 days	click here

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 this York EcoHOME action?

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 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 (5 of the 6 farms have no termination fee)	✓ Over 5000 Mainer’s have already signed up for subscription Community Solar Farms

Option 2	Option 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

Provider	Solar Developer Location	Customer Service Location	Solar Farm Location	Will I still get a CMP Bill	Termination Fee	Requested Notice to Terminate	Direct Email	Promo Code
Nautilus Solar Energy	York, ME and NJ	York ME and PA	Wells, Sanford, Farmingdale	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here	Automatic with link ($50 for signing up)
PowerMarket	Portsmouth NH	ME, NY, NC	Otis Field, ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	60 Days	click here
Ampion	California	Boston, MA	Lewiston, Waterville, Poland (and more!)	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	180 days	click here	Automatic with Link, $200 Visa gift card for signing up
Nexamp	Boston MA	Boston MA	Richmond ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here
RelayPower	New York	Massachusetts	Various ME Locations	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$0	90 Days	click here	Automatic with link ($100 for signing up)
Maine Solar Solutions	New York	Maine	Augusta ME	Yes, plus one from the Farm	$275	3 days	click 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


                
                
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                    
        

                                                                                                                                                                        Provider Solar Developer Location Customer  Service Location Solar Farm Location Planned Start Up Date Savings off Annual  Supply Electricity Costs Will I still get a CMP Bill Term of Contract Direct Phone Website Link



        
            Revision Energy So. Portland ME So. Portland ME Knox ME Fall 2021 50% over 25 Years Yes 25 Years 207-221-6342 click here

Provider	Solar Developer Location	Customer Service Location	Solar Farm Location	Planned Start Up Date	Savings off Annual Supply Electricity Costs	Will I still get a CMP Bill	Term of Contract	Direct Phone	Website Link
Revision Energy	So. Portland ME	So. Portland ME	Knox ME	Fall 2021	50% over 25 Years	Yes	25 Years	207-221-6342	click 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.

Here are answers to common questions
about Community Solar

Which Solar Company should I choose?

Use the table and explanation above to choose one. You really can’t go wrong with any of these 6 Community Solar Farms listed.

Will I save on my electricity cost?

Yes.

You will save 15% of your electricity supply charge.

(You will still pay CMP for electricity delivery charges)

Bottom line: Your monthly electricity cost will go down and your investment cost to switch your electricity to solar will be zero.

Will I still get a bill from CMP?

Yes.

And you will receive a second bill from your Solar company.

How will my electricity cost go down?

The Community Solar company you choose will assign you (your CMP account number) enough solar panels to cover 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 85% of that exact credit amount.

That means an instant 15% savings for you.

Why should I switch my electricity to solar?

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.

Is there a cancellation fee if I want to stop subscribing to the Subscription Solar Farm I sign up with?

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.

Can I call CMP directly to switch to Solar?

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.

What’s the catch….is this too good to be true?

Thanks to the 2019 Maine Legislation, it is not too good to be true.

You can now switch your electricity generation to solar with no investment and your monthly electricity cost will go down.

Why are we only recently hearing about this Community Solar opportunity in ME?

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.

Will my electricity truly be solar-based if it comes from a Solar Farm?

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

When will I start seeing my credits?

As soon as your Community Solar Farm comes online.

See tables above for planned start updates.

What does the Maine Public Advocate have to say about Community Solar in Maine?

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

What if I don’t want to go with any of these 3 solar options? Is there another green choice?

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 [email protected]

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.

3 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Linda Drew

2 years ago

Are the community solar options still available??

Fred Weston

Reply to Linda Drew

2 years ago

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!!

Carrie Mayo

Reply to Fred Weston

2 years ago

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