As we are all painfully aware, electricity rates in Maine are among the highest in the nation, with prices forecast to continue to rise. The average Maine household pays nearly $140 per month to power their home. LD 1730 is a bill before the Maine Legislature that will allow for homeowners and renters to reduce their monthly bill by about $43 by purchasing up to 1,200 watts of solar capacity at a present cost of $3,000. 

The state of Utah was the first to legalize up to 1,200 watts of plug-in solar. It passed with strong bipartisan support. Nearly identical bills are being considered in several states including Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania. Market research predicts if five states pass plug-in solar bills, within five years the price of that 1,200-watt system will plummet to $600. 

Saving significant money on our electric bill is something that has great appeal to Republicans and Democrats of all stripes. The other great appeal is that we can do it ourselves. It’s as simple as placing our three panels in a sunny location — like a patio or shed roof — and plugging it into an outdoor outlet. Add battery storage and we can power critical appliances when the power goes out during a storm. What’s not to love about cutting our electric bill? 

The hearing for this bill is on Jan. 6, 2026. Call our legislators now.

Tom Mikulka
Cape Elizabeth