Are Maine Solar Panels Worth It? (Homeowner’s Guide)

Are you considering installing solar panels on your Maine home? It’s a big investment, but it can also save you a lot of money in the long run. But is it really worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it in Maine depends on your individual situation.

The location, orientation and shading of your home will affect how much electricity your solar panel system produces.

In this article, we will look at some of the factors to consider when deciding whether or not to install solar panels in Maine. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your investment.

Are Maine Solar Panels Worth It?

Installing solar panels in Maine can be a great investment. Solar panels can help you save money on your electric bill, and so can they increase in value from your home.

There are several things to consider before installing solar panels, such as the cost of the installation, the size of your home, and the amount of sun your property receives.

The cost of solar panels has come down significantly in recent years, making them more affordable than ever. The average cost of a solar panel installation is around $16,000.

However, the cost of solar panels can vary depending on the size of your home and the amount of sun your property receives. Additionally, the cost of installing solar panels may be state-allowable and federal tax credits.

According to National Renewable Energy LaboratoryMaine has an average annual solar radiation of 4.5 kWh/m²/day. That’s lower than in some other states, but still enough to make solar panels a viable option. In fact, Maine ranks in the top half of states for potential solar production.

Of course, the initial cost of solar panels can be prohibitive for some people. But there are ways to offset this expense. For example, many utility companies offer discounts or rebates to customers who install solar panels.

There are also federal and state tax credits for those who go solar. When you include these incentives, the payback period for Maine solar panels is significantly reduced.

So are solar panels worth it in Maine? Absolutely! With generous tax incentives and a good amount of annual sun exposure, going solar is a smart choice for homeowners in the Pine Tree State.

Understanding Maine’s Climate

The Maine climate is ideal for generating solar energy, and the state offers a number of incentives to encourage homeowners to install solar panels.

If you are considering installing solar panels in Maine, it is important to understand the climate and how it affects solar energy production.

Sunlight is the best source of energy for solar panels. In Maine, the sun shines an average of 4.5 hours per day. (peak sun hours) This means there are many opportunities for your solar panels to generate electricity.

Solar panels also produce electricity based on how much sunlight they receive. In Maine, the average daily sunlight is about 4.5 hours. This means that your solar panels will produce more electricity on average than in a state with less sunlight.

Snow can cover your solar panels and reduce their efficiency. In states with less snow, such as Arizona or California, homeowners don’t have to worry about it as much.

However, in Maine you will need to take steps to prevent snow from accumulating on your panels. One way to do this is by installing a snow retention system. This is a frame that sits over your solar panels and helps prevent snow from accumulating.

Another way to keep snow from accumulating on your solar panels is by keeping them clean. As the snow melts, it can wash away the dirt and dust that has built up on your panels. You can clean your panels yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

In general, Maine’s climate is great for solar energy. The sun shines an average of 4.5 hours a day and the average annual snowfall is 108 inches. This means that if you live in Maine, you can take advantage of the many incentives offered by the state and increase the value of your home with a solar panel installation.

How many peak hours of sunshine does Maine get?

Peak solar hours are the hours of the day when the sun is high in the sky and its rays are most direct. The more hours of sunshine a location receives, the more sunlight is available for the solar panels to convert into electricity.

Maine receives an average of 4.5 peak hours of sunshine per day.

However, there can be significant differences from one place to another and from one day to the next. For example, areas closer to the coast tend to receive less sunlight than inland areas.

Trees, buildings and other objects that cast shadows also affect direct sunlight.

Despite possible variations, 4.5 peak hours of sunshine are enough for solar panels to generate a significant amount of electricity in Maine. In fact, if you have a typical home and install a 6 kW solar systemwill produce approx 27 kWh of electricity per day during peak sunlight hours. This is more than enough to offset your home’s energy consumption.

And because Maine has relatively low electricity prices, you can expect the payback period for your solar panel investment to be shorter than in many other states.

What to look for when considering solar power in Maine?

Before installing solar panels, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. You need to determine if your home is getting enough sun. Solar panels need direct sunlight to work effectively, so homes in shady areas are not good candidates for solar.
2. You have to consider installation and maintenance costs. Solar panels are a significant investment, so you need to make sure you can afford the initial cost.
3. Check with your local utility company to see if there are any restrictions or incentives for installing solar panels. With these factors in mind, you can decide if solar power is right for your Maine home.

How Many Solar Panels Will You Need in Maine?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the size of your home, your energy usage, and the amount of sunlight you receive.

We think that between eight and twelve solar panels will generate enough electricity to power a typical Maine home.

Let’s look at a sample calculation to determine the number of solar panels you will need for a home in Maine.

Step 1: Determine your average annual energy consumption

There are several different ways to calculate your home’s average energy needs, but the most accurate method is to use your past energy bills.

Download your electricity bills for the last 12 months and get the total kilowatt hours used. Now divide that number by 12 to find your monthly average. For example, if your bills for the last 12 months totaled 1,200 kWh, then your monthly average would be 100 kWh.

For our example, let’s consider 570 kWh as average monthly energy consumption for a Maine home.

Daily Energy Usage = 570 kWh / 30 days = 19 kWh
Hourly Energy Usage = 19 kWh / 24 = 0.79 kWh per hour

Step 2: Determine the amount of peak sunlight you receive

From our information above, we found that Maine averages 4.5 peak hours of sunshine per day.

Step 3: Choose your solar brand

Solar panel efficiency is affected by the angle of the sun, weather conditions and the type of solar panel. In Maine, the angle of the sun is lower than in other parts of the country, which means that solar panels are not as efficient at generating power.

However, this can be compensated for by choosing a high efficiency panel. Weather conditions such as clouds and shade can also affect the efficiency of a solar panel.

For our example, we chose the SunPower panel (370W), which is considered one of the most efficient solar panels on the market.

Step 4: Calculate the number of solar panels

Multiply the hourly consumption calculated in Step 1 by 1000 to convert your hourly consumption to watts. Then divide the hourly power by the daily peak hours of sunshine for Maine and multiply the answer by 24.

Hourly Wattage  = [(0.79 kWh x 1000) / 4.5] x 24 = 4213.33 W

To determine the number of solar panels, you need to divide the hourly wattage of your home by the wattage of the solar panel.

Number Of Solar Panels = 4213.33 W / 370 W = 11.38 = 12 panels

Therefore, the average Maine home will need 12 SunPower panels (370W).

Will Solar Panels Increase Home Value in Maine?

The answer depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the installation, the degree of sun exposure and the current value of your home. Solar panels typically last between 20 and 30 years, so they can be a wise investment if you plan to stay in your home for the long term.

Solar panels will increase the value of the home, although this increase is often offset by the cost of installation. In Maine, where sun exposure is somewhat limited, solar panels may not produce as much energy as they would in a sunnier climate, say California. However, they can still help reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.

Research of Zillow found that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4.1% more than homes without solar panels.

Therefore, if your home is assessed at $550,000 and you installed a solar system, you could expect the value of your home to increase by $22,550.

Final thoughts

Solar panels are a smart investment for Maine homeowners who want to reduce energy costs and have less impact on the environment. Although the initial cost of installation can be high, solar panels can save you money over time and increase the value of your home.

With limited exposure to the sun in Maine, it is important to choose a high-efficiency solar panel to maximize energy production.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to install solar panels is a personal one, but with falling costs and increasing incentives, now is a good time to explore the possibility of solar power in Maine.