Join the State of Maine's community solar program administered through Versant Power

Save on your electric bill

No installation or maintenance required

Help shift Maine to renewable energy

Cancel at any time

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What is community solar?

Community solar provides you with the benefits of clean energy without the hassle of a traditional solar panel installation. This program is brought to you by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Join a Renewable Energy Project

You join a solar project in your community, which pumps clean energy into the local power grid.

Power Your Home

You continue to receive electricity from your utility company, without installing any equipment.

Save Money

You receive credit on your electric bill as your project produces clean energy. You save money, guaranteed!

Where The Clean Power Comes From

Learn more about the OK Community Solar Community Solar Project

OK Community Solar Community Solar Project

In response to the 2008 closure of the Great Northern Paper Mill, Our Katahdin, a nonprofit organization determined to promote community and economic development in the Katahdin region, formed and purchased the site. Then, it invested more than $8 million into critical infrastructure for the 1,400-acre property. One of the first development projects on the Mill site is a 7.5 MWdc ground-mounted solar system, which will generate over 8 million kWh annually. The community solar project will provide utility bill savings for residential and small commercial customers in the region. Join our community solar project today and support Our Katahdin's mission of a resilient economy in the region!

Sign Up

How it works

When you sign up for a community solar project, you will receive credits on your monthly electric bill. These credits lower the cost of your bill, and your participation contributes to a more sustainable future. It’s that simple. Here are the three easy steps to make it happen.

Step 1

Provide Basic Details

Fill out some basic details to enroll – your name, email, and electric account number. This will help us confirm your energy usage to match your account with the right amount of solar energy.

Step 2

Access Dashboard

Once enrolled, you can monitor your monthly savings, the project’s solar energy production, and its environmental impact all through your personal, online dashboard.

Step 3

See Savings

You will start seeing savings on your electric bill a month after your community solar project becomes operational.

Annual Impact of Your Project

8,439,034

kWh Generated

666,684

Gallons Avoided

7,393

Acres of Forest Planted

If you're located within the shaded area shown here you're able to support clean, local, and more affordable power.

Millinocket
Penobscot County
Versant-BHD customers

Term

20 years

Savings

15% discount

Cancellation Fees

No cancellation fee

Cancellation Info

Cancel anytime

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

When you sign up to the community solar project, we assign you a portion of the project based on your historic energy usage. Then each month you will receive bill credits from your utility representing the amount of solar energy produced from the size of your portion of the solar project. These bill credits will offset your electric supply charges and delivery charges on your utility bill. We will then charge you for the bill credits you received, but at a discount.

As an example, let’s say Sarah's monthly utility bills are $100/month. Sarah signed up for community solar and is excited to start saving. The solar project started generating energy on October 1, and on Sarah's November utility bill, she saw a bill credit of $80, with a balance due of $20 ($100 - $80 = $20). Sarah paid the $20 to her utility at the end of November, and then paid PowerMarket $68 for the value of her $80 credit, saving 15%!

What does it cost?

It costs nothing to join a community solar project, and there are no membership fees or penalties. Members only ever pay for the solar bill credits they receive, but always at a discounted rate.

What does it cost to join?

While there is no cost to sign up, you will still pay for the bill credits you receive each month, but at a discount compared to what you would’ve paid your utility for that same portion of energy. Before we process any payment, you will have already received the credits on your utility bill.

Is this an established program?

Yes! Community solar was established in the state of Maine by Public Law 2019, chapter 478.

I already have supply/clean energy from a separate company like Major Energy of Clearview Energy. Can I still sign up?

Yes! As long as you pay for your supply through your utility bill, you can maintain that contract and still join a community solar project. Joining a community solar project will allow you to continue supporting existing renewable energy projects, while also saving some money and having a tangible connection to a new local project.

Are there any issues with reliability, and are you replacing my utility?

No. Community solar is known to actually increase the reliability of our electric grid by providing generation closer to where it’s used. The only change you’ll see on your utility bill is a new line dedicated to your solar bill credit, reducing your monthly energy costs. Your utility company still maintains the physical grid and delivers electricity through its wires to everyone.

How long does it take to kick in once I’ve signed up?

You should start seeing credits on your utility bill two months after you subscribe to a live community solar project.

What if I need to leave the project?

If you need to leave, there are no fees. We simply request 60 days' notice to account for the final sets of credits the utility will apply to your electricity bill.

Save up to 15% with clean, local energy

Join a Maine Community Solar Project