STATE SOLAR LAWS
Maine has embraced solar energy with progressive policies, but not every homeowner's experience has been positive. This guide covers your cooling-off rights under Maine law, the Unfair Trade Practices Act, net energy billing rules, and step-by-step exit options for Maine homeowners looking to leave a solar contract.
Updated March 2026 · Not legal advice · Our methodology
Maine homeowners who signed solar contracts through home solicitation generally have 3 business days to cancel under both state and federal law. Beyond that window, Maine's Unfair Trade Practices Act (5 M.R.S.A. Section 205-A et seq.) may provide additional grounds for relief. Maine's transition to Net Energy Billing (NEB) under LD 1711 (2019) has changed the solar landscape significantly. We always recommend consulting a qualified Maine attorney before taking action.
Maine provides cooling-off protections for homeowners who signed solar contracts through door-to-door sales or other home solicitation methods. These protections are important given the growth of solar sales activity across Maine.
Under Maine's Home Solicitation Sales Act, if a solar contract was signed at your home or at a location other than the seller's regular place of business, and the purchase price exceeds $25, you generally have 3 business days to cancel the transaction. The seller is required to:
Important Maine rule: Under 32 M.R.S.A. Section 4662, if the seller failed to provide the required cancellation notice, the buyer's right to cancel may be extended until the notice is properly given. Additionally, upon cancellation, the seller must return all payments within 10 business days. If the seller began work before the cancellation period expired, you may have additional rights. Pre-installation cancellation guide →
The federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) also provides 3 business days to cancel home solicitation sales. This federal protection operates alongside Maine's state law, providing dual protection for homeowners solicited at their homes.
Maine's relatively small population and tight-knit communities mean that solar sales teams often move through towns systematically. If a solar company used high-pressure tactics, misrepresented themselves as being affiliated with a local utility (such as CMP or Versant Power), or failed to leave proper cancellation paperwork, these failures may extend your cancellation rights under Maine law.
Time-sensitive: If you're within the cooling-off period, send your cancellation notice via certified mail immediately. Under Maine law, act promptly — the cancellation is generally effective when sent. How to cancel a solar contract →
The Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act (UTPA) is the state's primary consumer protection statute. Under 5 M.R.S.A. Section 207, it prohibits "unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce." For solar homeowners, actionable practices may include:
Under the UTPA, consumers may recover actual damages or $200 (whichever is greater), and the court may award up to three times the actual damages in cases of willful or knowing violations, plus attorney's fees. The Maine Attorney General may also bring enforcement actions seeking civil penalties.
While Maine's Lemon Law (10 M.R.S.A. Section 1161 et seq.) primarily applies to motor vehicles, Maine's implied warranty protections under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) may apply to the sale of solar equipment. If the solar system is defective or fails to perform as warranted, you may have claims under UCC Article 2 for breach of implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Maine requires electrical work to be performed by licensed electricians under 32 M.R.S.A. Chapter 17. Solar installations involve electrical work that must comply with Maine's electrical licensing requirements. If your solar installer was not properly licensed, or used unlicensed workers for electrical components, this may affect the enforceability of the contract and provide grounds for a complaint with the Maine Electricians' Examining Board.
Verify your installer's license: Contact the Maine Electricians' Examining Board at (207) 624-8603 or check online through the Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation. Licensing deficiencies may strengthen your position in a contract dispute.
Need help understanding your rights under Maine law? Get a free preliminary contract review.
Maine's solar compensation framework changed significantly with the passage of LD 1711 in 2019, which established the Net Energy Billing (NEB) program. Key aspects include:
The NEB framework is important for solar contract disputes because:
The MPUC regulates electric utilities in Maine, including Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power (formerly Emera Maine). Key MPUC roles relevant to solar include:
Under 36 M.R.S.A. Section 655(1)(N), Maine municipalities may adopt a property tax exemption for solar energy equipment. However, this exemption is not automatic — it must be adopted by each individual municipality. If a solar company represented that your solar system would be exempt from property taxes, but your municipality has not adopted the exemption, this may constitute a misrepresentation.
Maine does not have a comprehensive solar access or solar rights law that would prevent HOAs or neighbors from obstructing sunlight to your solar panels. However, Maine does recognize solar easements as voluntary agreements between property owners. If a solar company failed to disclose potential shading issues or HOA restrictions before installation, this may be relevant to a contract dispute.
Maine's community solar market has grown significantly under NEB. If you subscribed to a community solar project rather than installing rooftop panels, your contract structure and exit options may differ. Community solar contracts typically involve subscription agreements with specific terms, cancellation provisions, and credit allocation rules that are distinct from rooftop solar lease or PPA agreements.
As Maine's solar market grows, consumer complaints have increased. Based on reports filed with the Maine Attorney General's Office and the MPUC, these are the most common issues:
Maine's northern climate means shorter winter days, snow cover on panels, and seasonal production variations that some solar companies fail to adequately account for. Homeowners report that salespeople used annual production estimates that didn't reflect Maine's winter conditions, leading to savings shortfalls. If savings projections didn't account for Maine's climate and seasonal patterns, this may constitute a misrepresentation under the UTPA.
The growth of community solar in Maine has led to complaints about subscription agreements that are difficult to exit, credit allocation delays, and misrepresentations about the savings community solar would deliver. Some community solar salespeople have used aggressive tactics, including door-to-door solicitation and misleading claims about utility affiliation.
Maine homeowners report confusion and billing issues related to the NEB program, including delayed credits, incorrect credit calculations, and unexpected utility charges. If these billing issues were caused by misrepresentations at the time of sale — such as telling you that your electric bill would be "zero" — this may support a claim under the UTPA.
Maine's heavy snowfall can significantly reduce solar production during winter months. If your solar company didn't adequately account for snow cover and winter conditions in their production estimates, or if the system was installed at a pitch or location that makes it particularly susceptible to snow accumulation, the resulting performance shortfall may support a misrepresentation claim.
If you're a Maine homeowner looking to exit your solar contract, the approach depends on your specific circumstances. Below is a general framework — we always recommend consulting a qualified Maine attorney before taking action.
Important: We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. Missed payments can damage your credit and may result in additional legal liability. Continue making payments while exploring your exit options.
Collect the following before taking any action:
Verify the installer's electrical license through the Maine Electricians' Examining Board. If electrical work was performed by unlicensed individuals, this may provide grounds for a complaint and strengthen your contract dispute.
If you believe the solar company made misrepresentations, review your situation against the Maine UTPA. Common bases include:
File complaints with the Maine Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and the MPUC. Maine's relatively small regulatory community means complaints may receive more individual attention.
Professional solar contract exit services can help navigate the process. Compare solar cancellation companies →
Maine-specific tip: Maine's UTPA provides for treble damages in cases of willful violations and attorney's fees, making it a powerful tool. The MPUC also has authority to investigate solar-related complaints. Maine's small-state dynamics may work in your favor, as regulators are often more accessible. Find a solar panel lawyer →
Stuck in a solar contract in Maine? Get a free preliminary contract review to understand your options.
Phone: (207) 626-8849
Online complaint: File a complaint at maine.gov/ag
Mail: Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
The Maine AG investigates consumer fraud and may take enforcement action against deceptive solar companies.
Phone: (207) 287-3831 or (800) 452-4699 (toll-free in ME)
Online: MPUC consumer assistance
Jurisdiction: Regulates electric utilities, NEB program, interconnection standards, and utility billing issues
Phone: (207) 624-8603
Online: Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation
Jurisdiction: Licenses electricians and investigates complaints about unlicensed electrical work
Phone: (207) 774-8211
Online: ptla.org
Note: Provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income Maine residents with consumer protection issues
Phone: (207) 622-7523
Online: Maine Bar Lawyer Referral
Note: Can connect you with a consumer protection attorney experienced in solar contract disputes
Under Maine's Home Solicitation Sales Act (32 M.R.S.A. Section 4661 et seq.), you generally have 3 business days to cancel if the sale occurred at your home. The federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule provides the same window. If the seller failed to provide proper cancellation notice, your right to cancel may be extended. Full cancellation guide →
Net Energy Billing (NEB), established by LD 1711 in 2019, is Maine's framework for compensating solar customers. Eligible customers receive kilowatt-hour credits on their electric bills, generally at or near the retail rate. The MPUC oversees the program and may adjust rates over time. If a solar company's savings projections didn't accurately reflect NEB terms, this may support a misrepresentation claim.
If a solar company engaged in unfair or deceptive practices under 5 M.R.S.A. Section 207 — such as misrepresenting savings, hiding costs, or using deceptive tactics — you may have grounds for a claim. Remedies include actual damages or $200 (whichever is greater), up to treble damages for willful violations, and attorney's fees. Find a solar panel lawyer →
Maine municipalities may adopt a property tax exemption for solar equipment under 36 M.R.S.A. Section 655(1)(N), but it is not automatic — each municipality must opt in. If a solar company told you your system would be tax-exempt but your municipality has not adopted the exemption, this may be a misrepresentation. Check with your local assessor's office.
Maine's northern location means shorter winter days, heavy snowfall, and significant seasonal production variation. If a solar company used averages without explaining seasonal differences, or failed to account for snow cover, their projections may have been misleading. Compare your system's actual production data to the projections you were given at the time of sale.
File complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division (207-626-8849), the MPUC for utility/NEB issues (207-287-3831 or 800-452-4699), and the Electricians' Examining Board for licensing violations. Maine's smaller regulatory agencies may be more accessible than in larger states, and filing with multiple agencies strengthens your position.
Get a free preliminary contract review to understand your options under Maine law.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations may change, and this information may not reflect the most current legal developments. Results vary by individual situation, contract terms, and applicable laws. We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. SolarPanelExit.com and TRU Solar Cancellation share common ownership. Always consult a qualified Maine attorney before taking legal action. See our Ownership Disclosure, Advertiser Disclosure, and Methodology.