2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Gorham, ME - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Gorham.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Gorham solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Gorham?

Solar and Wind Energy Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Efficiency Maine - Home Energy Loans

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
$15,000

Efficiency Maine Residential Home Energy Savings Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Geothermal Heat Pumps: One third of the installation cost up to $3,000
Air Sealing (6 hrs): $400
Insulation: 30% of project costs, up to $1,000 per zone
Air-Source Heat Pumps: $500 for single or first zone heating; an additional $250 is available for second zone heating
Biomass Boilers and Furnaces: One third of the installation cost up to $6,000
See rebate application for full list of rebate bonuses

Local Option - Property Assessed Clean Energy

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Residential PACE mortgage maximum: $15,000

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is in place to encourage more homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy. Various types of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be provided via the state of Maine, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Gorham utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar system. These might be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before calculating tax credits.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property owned by you for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system installation costs (panels, equipment, labor and accessories), although the total amount has fluctuated over the last few years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

To more fully understand how the ITC will apply to your situation, reach out to your local Gorham solar panel installer and ask for more information.

In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. With the new provisions, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032 can qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount of the credit will then see a slight annual decrease until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to talk with your local Gorham solar panel company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Tax credits, rebates and more may be available at a more local level. The incentives — which might be given by the state of Maine, or by your county or municipality — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Gorham

There are a variety of solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those provided by the federal government and those provided by the Maine government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. Your local Gorham solar panel installer can provide you with more details about which incentives you can apply for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Gorham, ME Solar Incentives FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for different solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Gorham solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, like those offered by the government of Maine, may have additional requirements.

My home already has solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?

An excellent idea would be to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar panels — or reach out to a local Gorham solar installer — to better understand which incentives you may qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Gorham home?

When you add solar panels to your Gorham home, you can anticipate savings of around $863.31 per year, or around $16,402.81 over 20 years.

What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?

Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. You can also reduce the CO2 emissions from your home by 200 pounds annually, or roughly 4,000 pounds over 20 years.

If I trade in my appliances for ones that use solar energy, are there credits I can claim?

The new Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for a number of incentives meant to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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