Net Energy Billing

Summary

Maine offers two compensation options for customer generators and subscribers to community solar projects. Any customer may participate in the Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program, but only non-residential customers can participate in the Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program. 

Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program

While being called “net energy billing,” the Net Energy Billing kWh Credit Program functions like traditional net metering. Production and consumption are netted on a monthly basis. Excess kWh’s remaining at the end of a billing period are applied to the customer’s next bill as a kWh credit. At the end of a 12-month rolling period, any accumulated unused kilowatt-hour credits may not be applied against any future kilowatt-hour usage. Systems up to 5 MW in capacity are eligible for the program. 

Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program

The Net Energy Billing Tariff Rate Program is only available to non-residential customers. Instead of receiving kWh credits on their electric bills, participants receive dollar credits on their bills. This allows participants to potentially offset the demand charge components of their bill, which would not otherwise be offset by kWh credits. The dollar credits are based on the production of the system multiplied by a utility-specific rate that is approved annually by the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Systems up to 5 MW in capacity are eligible for the program, however, systems over 1 MW that are installed after September 1, 2022 will receive a bill credit based on a lower rate.