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Governor signs bill to help grow the solar industry in Maine

“Net metering is only a partial compensation for the incredible value we all receive from our neighbors’ solar arrays,” said Representative Berry, D-Bowdoinham.
Credit: NCM
Mills signs bill to help incentivize the solar industry in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine — Joined by state lawmakers and renewable energy supporters, Governor Janet Mills today signed into law a bill that will help incentivize the long-awaited growth of the solar industry in Maine.

According to a press release from Governor Mills’ office,  LD 91 An Act to Eliminate Gross Metering, sponsored by Representative Seth Berry and signed by the governor, will reset the state’s metering policy for solar energy and ensure that consumers who produce electricity from solar panels will be fairly compensated for supplying excess energy back to the electric grid.

Governor Mills signed the legislation during a ceremony at Rocky’s Stove Shoppe in Augusta. The Governor’s office said it’s the first stove shop in the state to convert to solar energy.

“Net metering is only a partial compensation for the incredible value we all receive from our neighbors’ solar arrays,” said Representative Berry, D-Bowdoinham. “I want to thank Gov. Mills for her leadership and support as we take this first small step toward a locally-controlled, clean-energy future for our state.”

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Maine ranked 40th nationwide for solar installation in 2018, generating enough to power 10,000 homes. Seventy solar companies employ 635 Mainers statewide, as the price of solar installations fell 47 percent over the last five years.

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