Best Solar Companies in Maine (2022 Rankings & Reviews)

The cost of solar has dropped 11% in Maine, which means installing a home solar panel system is more affordable than ever. EcoWatch worked with a panel of solar experts to find the best solar companies in Maine, and our brand authority in the solar industry has granted us access to securing the best deals for our readers. Learn more about our top picks for Maine solar installers and start getting free quotes below.

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Outstanding Social Impact

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Outstanding Local Installer

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What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in Maine?

Solar energy is a slow-growing industry in Maine. As of 2022, the state ranks 36th in the country for solar installations, with more commercial solar installations than residential ones. However, with the cost of solar dropping and the cost of standard electricity rising, it’s only a matter of time until Maine homeowners start reaping the benefits of going solar.

EcoWatch compiled this list of the top five best solar companies in Maine based on market research and customer experiences in the Pine Tree State, specifically. Below you’ll find an overview of each company, followed by our in-depth report of all installers’ pros and cons.

You might notice that popular solar brands like Vivint Solar aren’t included in our reviews. This was an intentional choice by the EcoWatch team due to issues like lawsuits and reports of poor customer service. EcoWatch only lists solar companies that hold up our rigorous standards.

Note: The EcoWatch Ratings you see in the company snapshots at the top of this page reflect our overall assessment of the company, but our rankings reflect the best solar companies in Maine, specifically. If you notice that a company lower on our list has a higher EcoWatch Rating, it’s likely because it’s a great company but there are better installers for this specific area.

1. ReVision Energy 

ReVision Energy is a local employee-owned solar company that has its priorities in order. It’s a certified B Corporation (B Corp), which means it’s dedicated to producing a public benefit for the environment. This is a huge win in our eyes, because it means ReVision is not just looking to make a profit, but it’s dedicated to expanding renewable energy solutions for our planet. For example, an “ordinary business” (non B Corp) of the same size as ReVision (50-250 employees) has an average impact score of 50.9, while Revision’s score is 125.9.

Aside from its hard work for clean energy, ReVision offers a variety of solar services, including solar panel installations, community solar projects, energy storage, EV chargers and solar heat pumps. Plus, ReVision is headquartered in Portland, Maine, so serving Maine homeowners will be a top priority. 

Pros for ReVision Energy

There are many notable things about ReVision energy, but the fact that it’s local to Maine makes it one of the best solar companies for Maine homeowners, specifically.

• Certified B Corp
• About two decades of experience in the Northeast
• Headquartered in Portland, Maine
• Good breadth of services including solar panels, community solar, energy storage, EV chargers and heat pumps

Cons for ReVision Energy

The one area where ReVision lacks is its warranty coverage. While it offers a 25-year manufacturer warranty for equipment, its labor warranty is just five years.

• Only offers a five-year workmanship warranty (industry average is 10, and top competitors offer 25 years)
• Does not offer solar loans or PPAs

Facts and Figures: ReVision Energy

Outstanding Social Impact

4.5/5

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Regional Service

2. Maine Solar Solutions 

Maine Solar Solutions is a local company headquartered in Freeport, Maine, with a second office in Durham. Since 2012, this company has prided itself on delivering customer satisfaction through high-quality equipment installations, extensive warranty coverage and top-notch customer service.

Because it’s a smaller company, you won’t find as many online reviews about Maine Solar Solutions. However, the reviews that are available boast about the company’s customer care, which is one of the benefits of choosing a local solar company. Other perks include:

• Expertise with Maine weather and local policies
• Relationships with local utility companies to expedite installation process
• More prompt and personalized service compared to national companies

Pros for Maine Solar Solutions

Maine Solar Solutions offers some of the best solar panel brands in the market (LG, Trina, Panasonic and more) and a wide variety of solar services. 

• Outstanding customer feedback and referral network
• Broad list of services includes solar, storage, heat pumps, community solar and more
• Local company, so Maine homeowners will be a priority

Cons for Maine Solar Solutions

If you choose Maine Solar Solutions, know that it does not offer solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) as a financing option. 

• No lease/PPA options

Facts and Figures: Maine Solar Solutions

Outstanding Local Installer

4.5/5

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Local Service

3. SunPower

SunPower is one of the best solar providers in the country, and Maine is no exception. Aside from having an excellent warranty and the most efficient solar panels on the market, SunPower delivers exceptional customer service and personalized solar energy system designs.

A unique feature to SunPower is that it designs every feature of your solar system (panels, inverters and batteries), with its own name-brand products. That guarantees that the products will work in sync. Plus, they’re all protected under one in-house warranty, unlike many other solar installers that will offer different warranties between the installer, panel brand, battery brand, etc.

Check out our full review of SunPower here.

Pros for SunPower

SunPower has remained one of the top solar installers since 1985. With high-quality technology, widespread availability and positive customer reviews, you’ll likely have a pleasant experience with SunPower.

• Most efficient solar panels on the market
• Panels are Cradle to Cradle certified sustainable
• All products in a system are covered by one all-inclusive warranty for 25 years (with mounting hardware covered for 10 years)

Cons for SunPower

SunPower may have the most efficient solar technology, but that also makes it one of the most expensive solar installers on the market. Plus, because it’s a major solar provider, the quality of your installation in Maine will vary depending on your local SunPower dealer.

• More expensive than average
• Quality of your installation will depend on the certified SunPower dealer near you (though the certification is rigorous)
• Limited selection of brands (restricted to SunPower products)

Facts and Figures: SunPower

Best National Provider

5/5

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4. Summit Energy

Summitt Energy Group is a solar company headquartered in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Although founded in 2016, Summit’s website claims its leadership team has experience installing solar since 1977. The company is also certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and has NABCEP solar installers on staff.

Along with solar panel installations, Summit Energy emphasizes energy-efficiency upgrades for Maine homeowners, which means it’s dedicated to helping you lower your electricity bills and not just looking to sell you on solar. But the most impressive thing about Summit Energy is its industry-leading SolarInsure warranty, offering up to 30 years of equipment and labor warranty coverage (well above the 10-year industry standard), plus a 25-year roof penetration warranty.

Pros for Summit Energy

Summit Energy is a well-rounded solar company, offering the best warranty coverage in Maine. Add that with its NABCEP-certified staff and flexible payment options, and Summitt might just be the right solar installer for your needs.

• Industry-leading 30-year equipment and labor warranty, plus 25-year roof penetration warranty
• NABCEP-certified professionals on staff
• Flexible financing options, with 12-, 24- and 48-month payment plans

Cons for Summit Energy

Although Summit has knowledgeable staff members, the company itself has only been around since 2016, so it’s not as solidified in the marketplace compared to solar panel companies like SunPower that have been around since the 1980s.

• Founded in 2016 (not as much industry experience as top competitors)
• Not local to Maine (priority projects may be elsewhere)

Facts and Figures: Summit Energy

Outstanding Regional Installer

4.5/5

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5. Invaleon Solar

Invaleon entered New England’s booming solar market in 2011 and has been standing strong since. A unique quality Invaleon has is that it’s founded by engineers and tradesmen and holds Master Electrician and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) certifications, claiming to guarantee a high-quality solar installation.

Headquartered in Haverhill, MA, Invaleon is a regional solar installation company serving all of Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. The company offers a selection of the best solar panels and services and strong warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year power production guarantee.

Pros for Invaleon Solar

After our in-depth review of Invaleon solar, we’re most impressed with the company’s strong warranties and labor certifications.

• Best-in-class warranty includes production and workmanship for 25 years
• 10+ years of experience installing solar in Maine
• Experience with local utilities and policies

Cons for Invaleon Solar

Although Invaleon serves the entire state of Maine, their headquarters in Massachusetts — a state with a much more active solar market — might have Maine homeowners put on the backburner.

• Headquarters in Massachusetts may mean priority projects are outside of Maine
• Slightly limited service offerings 

Facts and Figures: Invaleon Solar

Outstanding Regional Installer

4/5

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Regional Service

EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Maine

You may be wondering how we narrowed these five companies as the best solar companies in Maine. Below we outline the different categories that we score each company on. If you’d like more information on how the EcoWatch Rating is determined, visit our methodology page.

Warranty

Here at EcoWatch, we typically highlight solar companies that have a 25-year product warranty as well as at least a 10-year workmanship warranty. Here’s a quick explanation of solar warranties and the industry-standard minimum lengths we look for:

• Product warranty (also called manufacturer warranty): This covers each specific part of the solar panel system in case of manufacturing defects. The industry standard is 25 years.
• Workmanship warranty (also called labor warranty): This covers the design, assembly and installation of your system (think roof leaks, faulty wiring, etc.). The industry standard is 10 years, but the best companies offer 25 years.
• Performance guarantee: This ensures your system’s power output doesn’t degrade substantially over time. For example, a company might guarantee that your system will still produce 90% of its original capacity by year 10, 80% by year 20 and 75% by year 25. The best companies will offer 25-year performance guarantees.

While all of these warranties are important, we stress finding a company that offers at least a 25-year performance guarantee. With this type of coverage, performance issues can’t be offloaded to equipment manufacturers to troubleshoot, causing costly delays.

Year Founded

The solar business is booming, and that has many new companies looking to capitalize on the industry’s projected growth. Over the next decade or so, new companies will either prosper or perish, and you want to make sure you end up with a company that will be in business decades down the line. Remember, your warranty only holds up as long as your solar installer does. So, you want to make sure you’re hiring a reputable solar company with a proven track record. For this reason, EcoWatch likes to highlight companies that have at least five years of business experience under their belts.

Services Offered

Solar installations work differently depending on the needs of the homeowner. For example, if you live in an area prone to power outages, you may prioritize backup battery solar power storage. Or if you have a flat rooftop, you may need a solar installer who offers a ballasted array mounting system. EcoWatch considers the services each solar installer offers and gives higher scores to companies that have more variety.

Brands of Solar Equipment Offered

EcoWatch ranks companies based on what they have to offer performance-wise, too. We typically like to see a solar company offer a wide range of solar brands so that customers have options. However, we may also highlight companies that offer brands that are more appealing to homeowners, as solar panels cost different amounts depending on make and model. For instance, one reason we chose Invaleon Solar is that it offers panels from Q Cells, which are some of the most affordable solar panels on the market. While SunPower only offers its own brand, it still ranks highly because they’re the most efficient solar panels in the industry.

Industry Affiliations

EcoWatch likes to see companies that have connections with the big names in solar, such as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Grid Alternatives and similar organizations. Industry affiliations typically show that this installer is serious about making renewable energy systems more accessible and isn’t just trying to turn a profit.

We also look for certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), which suggests that a company’s technicians are knowledgeable and can perform a professional and safe installation. 

Size of Company

In solar, the size of a company matters only when considering its service area. Though you’re more likely to have heard of a larger name like SunPower, there can be a number of benefits that come from choosing a company local to Maine, including that they’re usually:

• More likely to have a relationship with your utility company to expedite connections for net metering, inspections, and permitting processes
• More experienced with navigating local solar policies, tax credits, rebates, and other incentives
• More likely to have expertise in weatherproofing an installation (of special importance in areas like Maine with extreme winter weather)

The best way to find the top company for your needs is to connect with a few installers and request free quotes for your home system. From there, you can gauge which company best fits your needs and provides the best value. You can even shop offers against each other to see if you can secure a discount.

Solar Pricing and Financing

EcoWatch values variety in every category, but it might be most important when it comes to solar financing. We know that installing solar isn’t cheap, so we want to highlight companies that are most likely to work with you to make solar accessible. As such, companies that offer more means of payment, such as solar loans, tend to score higher with EcoWatch.

EcoWatch Preferred Partners

Here is a list of preferred partners in this area.

Best National Provider

5/5

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Nationwide Service

Outstanding Social Impact

4.5/5

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Regional Service

Outstanding Local Installer

4.5/5

Get Free Quote

Local Service

VIEW MORE