Solar Panels Cost $2.5k-$12k in Franklin County, ME | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Franklin County, ME in 2024?
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The typical cost per watt of solar in Franklin County, ME in November, 2024 is estimated at $3.68/W.
Based on this cost, you are able to conclude that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your system can produce you will have to spend $3,680 to get your system installed. In Franklin County, a 5 kW solar installation will require you to pay, on average, $12,880 after the 30% federal income tax credit. However, please keep in mind that a bigger system might be required to fulfill your energy needs.
On the left, select your county to see the average roof size and the maximum generation capacity for residential solar on homes in your area. Outlined below are the price, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Franklin County: $12,880US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Franklin County: 7 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Franklin County: $16,962US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Franklin County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Franklin County.
Roof size 465sq. ft.
Capacity 6.5kW DC
Electricity 7.4kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Franklin County, ME & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
With an average consumption of 530 kWh per month, Franklin County households pay about 147.34 for electricity. Flats and small homes, which usually require lower energy, are covered by this figure.
The mean rate for electricity in Franklin County, ME during November, 2024 is 27.81¢ per kWh.
At this time, a 5 kW setup costs $12,880 when including the 30% federal income tax credit.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Franklin County
To your left, there is a full pricing details for the different solar panel system sizes installed in Franklin County. A bigger solar array will obviously cost more, but it will also yield greater electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The cost and benefit breakdown for solar panels, displayed in the calculator to the right and below, is based on an average electric bill of $147.34 in Franklin County. Personalized results can be gotten by changing the $147.34 to your average bill amount.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 1kW
Roof Size Min. space required
72 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $379 a year
Est. Price
$2,576
Savings from a 1kWthis system
Est. yearly production 1,354 kWh
Est. monthly savings $32
Full payback in 1 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.66 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 30 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 1,632 mi less a year
System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $758 a year
Est. Price
$5,152
Savings from a 2kWthis system
Est. yearly production 2,708 kWh
Est. monthly savings $63
Full payback in 3 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.32 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 61 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,265 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,137 a year
Est. Price
$7,728
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,062 kWh
Est. monthly savings $95
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.98 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 91 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,897 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,517 a year
Est. Price
$10,304
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,417 kWh
Est. monthly savings $126
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.64 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 121 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,530 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,896 a year
Est. Price
$12,880
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 6,771 kWh
Est. monthly savings $147
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.07 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 141 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,595 mi less a year
Franklin County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural entrepreneurs and farmers might find that the REAP Grant pays for 80% to 100% of their costs when installing solar energy or wind energy systems. Believe you qualify? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to see if you are eligible.
For residential solar installations, nearly all homeowners can benefit from a 30% federal income tax credit, which makes solar energy a feasible choice in many parts of the country. Furthermore, several state and local efforts are in place to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.
Maine residents have access to 6 solar rebate and incentive initiatives from various utilities and governmental bodies.
Solar incentives in MEIncentive Description Value
Solar and Wind Energy Property Tax Exemption
Value:Varies
Solar photovoltaic equipment and wind turbines in Maine are exempt from state property taxes. The only conditions are that the generated energy must be used on-site and that the panels/turbines are interconnected to the state's power grid under a net metering contract. Additional information is available from the Maine Department of Revenue.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Value:Varies
Maine first adopted a mandatory renewable portfolio standard in 1997. Currently, the standard requires 80% of the state's energy to be generated from renewable sources by 2030, with conventional sources phased out completely by 2050. Eligible technologies to meet the standard include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, CHP, waste burning, and hydroelectric. Compliance with the standard is measured using a renewable energy credit (REC) and thermal credit (TREC) system pegging electrical and heat capacity to dollar values. Utilities are responsible for procuring their credit quota from customers through net metering or other purchasing contracts.
Efficiency Maine Trust - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resource Fund
Value:Varies
The Efficiency Maine Trust is a public benefits fund for energy efficiency projects in the state. Unique to many other states, it is supported by voluntary contributions of up to $10 on monthly energy bills. A large portion of the trust supports grant programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency for local governments, nonprofits, and school districts. The trust's administrators produce an annual report for the Maine legislature detailing budget items and spending initiatives. Additional information is available from the trust website.
Maine Green Power Program
Value:Varies
The Maine Green Power (MGP) program was established through a public-private partnership with 3 Degrees Group. MGP allows the state government to directly purchase renewable energy credits; however, these credits may not be used to meet the renewable portfolio standard. Currently, the program funds large-scale renewable energy generation facilities throughout the state, including a major hydroelectric project. Any Central Maine Power or Emera customer may directly purchase power from MGP in blocks. Additional information is available through the MGP website.
Local Option - Property Assessed Clean Energy
Value:Varies
City and county governments in Maine may offer their own property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs for energy efficiency improvements and equipment. Depending on the specific program, residential and commercial property owners alike have access to an open market of available lenders offering competitive loans and terms. Effectively, funding comes from the government; repayment will therefore take the form of a tax lien senior to the property's mortgage. Maine has standardized PACE loan terms. Available principal ranges from $6,500 to $15,000 at 4.99% APR. Loans can be repaid over up to a 15-year period. While single-family homes may receive PACE funding, they also face more regulations and concerns from the FHFA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cannot take ownership of a mortgage with an active PACE lien, and it is up to the locality to establish loss reserve funds or other safeguards. Interested property owners should consult with their local or county government, as not every jurisdiction offers PACE loans.
Green Power Purchasing
Value:Varies
Any Mainer can opt into the Maine Green Power program to source their energy from local renewable facilities. The program is supported by a surcharge on subscribers' energy bills and pegs consumption to RECs. Governments can purchase RECs through the public-sector arm of the program. Currently, the state government is purchasing RECs from a hydroelectric project to meet a majority of its renewable portfolio standard. Since 2007, 100% of Maine's energy is sourced renewably. Additional information is available through the Maine Green Power website.
Are solar panels worth it in Franklin County, ME?
If you're aiming to stay in your home past the period required to pay back your solar investment, opting for solar panels is a smart decision in Franklin County. A 5 kW system in Franklin County, ME will enable you to save you personally, on average, $22,481.6 over a 20 period and the average break even point is 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Franklin County, ME
Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the savings highlighted previously and rely entirely on your electric utility for electricity. As we have seen in numerous recent news reports, full reliance on your utility isn't always the best option.
Lately, utilities in Franklin County have averaged an average of 1.45 outages per customer annually. The average length of an outage is 157.59 minutes. In events like hurricanes, aging infrastructure, or planned maintenance, this duration can extend significantly.
Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Franklin County.
With or without a backup battery, a solar panel system could reduce the effects of future power interruptions you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Franklin County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Franklin County, ME?
Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems have a higher initial cost, yet the average cost per watt falls as the system size expands. Most homeowners see the advantage in installing a solar setup that can make enough power to cover their entire electric bill, ensuring significant savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels and mounting equipment, just like many other products, are offered in a variety of makes and models. Taking into account the specific brand preferences an installer might have, choosing a recommended company is important. Better quality models generally provide a more favorable long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - For good reasons, monocrystalline panels have become the standard in the industry. These panels are more expensive, yet they offer more energy. Most installers tend to use panels crafted from this material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own unique features. Uneven ground, trees, or additional obstacles may add to the difficulty of the installation. Many solar installers now are able to utilize satellite imagery to assess your home and include these factors in the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The costs related to the varied wages offered by companies to their employees are passed on to the consumers. Businesses paying more to their employees frequently receive higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your installation cost will be impacted by area-specific permitting and utility interconnection fees. That said, reputable local installers will be able to integrate these numbers into your preliminary quotes so there are no surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Franklin County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Franklin County?
In November, 2024, the typical price per watt for solar panels in Franklin County, ME is $3.68/W. With the federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Franklin County, ME drops to roughly $12,880.
Maine offers 6 different rebates and incentives from a range of utilities and government organizations. On top of that, most individuals are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Paying cash provides the most savings, yet there are several financing options available today for solar panels that are also advantageous. Financing partners are often associated with many installers, and this will be detailed in your initial quotes.
Yes, in Franklin County, ME, the average time for 5 kWsolar panel systems to pay for themselves is 7 years, leading to electricity savings of $22,481.6 over a 20-year period.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
