Residents in Lewiston, ME who request quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace spend an average of $222 monthly on electricity. That adds up to $2,664 per year. A different way to look at it is that a typical Lewiston, ME resident uses 1,016 kWh of electricity per month and 12,192 kWh over the year.
(For what it’s worth: Lewiston, ME residents shopping for solar on EnergySage may use more electricity than a typical household.)
The easiest way to compare electricity costs across regions is to look at the electricity rate. In the U.S., residential rates generally range from 11 ¢/kWh all the way up to 34 ¢/kWh.
As of February 2026, the cost of electricity in Lewiston, ME is 22 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh)—roughly 10% higher than the national average cost. That number is based on real-world electric bills shared with EnergySage over the past 12 months. You can compare that number to the most recent average state electric price reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The main utility companies in Maine that provide transmission and distribution include Versant and Central Maine Power. These are Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), which are privately owned and regulated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).
Some towns and cities are served by a nonprofit, community-owned utility (COU), like Eastern Maine Electric Co-op. COUs have different rules and regulations, so you may not have the same benefits as an IOU, such as net energy billing.
Maine’s energy market is deregulated, which means you can choose a competitive electricity provider (CEP) to supply your electricity rather than buying it from your utility company—but your utility will still distribute your electricity. This switch could help you save on your energy bills if you find a lower rate.
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When you pay your electric bill, you’re not only covering the costs to produce that electricity, but also the costs of running and maintaining the electrical grid, as well as public benefit funds that promote things like renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Electric bill costs are rolled into fixed (monthly customer charges) and variable charges (¢/kWh that you use).
Fixed charges, like the flat fee for having a meter, generally remain the same monthly unless your utility makes a policy update.
Your variable charges will change every month and depend on your electricity rate and how much electricity you use.
Your electric bill's variable charges will include a supply (or generation) charge and a transmission and distribution (or delivery) charge. The supply charge covers the cost of electricity generation, while the transmission and distribution charges cover the cost of delivering it to your home.
While most utility customers in Maine are on a fixed-rate plan, some electric companies offer energy options with time-of-use (TOU) rates and demand charges. With these plans, your rate can vary based on the time of day, day of the week, or time of year. What you pay per kWh depends on your utility and type of energy plan in Maine.
How clean is the electricity in Maine?
While it's difficult to pinpoint how much renewable power your home receives, U.S. Energy Information Administration data from September 2025 shows nearly 55% of Maine’s electricity grid is renewable. The remaining percentage is mostly from natural gas. So, when you go solar in Maine, you're contributing to greener power generation in the state.
Some utilities and CEPs offer the option to match your electric use with green power by paying a small extra fee. Participating supports the state’s sustainable efforts without interruption to your service. This is a great alternative to reduce your carbon footprint without the upfront costs of installing solar panels.
As long as you have a suitable roof, one of the surest ways to save on energy is to go solar—ideally with a vetted contractor offering a competitive price.
Solar panels will reduce or even eliminate your electric bills in the short term and protect you against rising electricity costs in the long run, too. The amount you save depends on how much you spend on electricity now and how much of your electric bill you can offset with solar energy.
Solar panels are a big investment, but Lewiston, ME homeowners who install them—and pay upfront—break even after an average of just 11.53 years. Then, the solar panels will continue to produce free electricity for years to come.
Does Maine offer net metering?
By connecting your solar panels to the grid in Maine, you’ll benefit from net metering—referred to locally as net energy billing. Don't worry, this is not the same as net billing, which usually offers less favorable terms.
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home needs, the excess goes to the energy grid, and you’ll receive credits to cover your future usage. The credits are measured in kWh, not dollars, and roll over on a 12-month rolling basis. Instead of losing all your unused credits at a specific date, you have a year to use each credit, and the oldest ones are used first. For example, any credits earned in November will expire the following November.
Depending on how much energy your system produces, you could end up owing nothing on your bill except for fixed costs (like interconnection fees), which need to be paid in cash. With Maine’s policy, you’ll use your oldest credits first, ensuring you get the most value out of your solar system.
How much can you save with solar?
The Pine Tree State has some of the highest electricity rates in the country. That means you can often save big by going solar in Lewiston, ME.
Just take a look at how much you'll spend on electricity over time based on your current bill. It’s easy to see how going solar can pay off quickly.
Electricity cost over time in Maine
Current monthly electric bill | 10-year electricity cost | 20-year electricity cost | 30-year electricity cost |
|---|---|---|---|
$50 | $7,700 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
$100 | $15,000 | $41,000 | $85,000 |
$150 | $23,000 | $62,000 | $130,000 |
$200 | $31,000 | $83,000 | $170,000 |
$250 | $38,000 | $100,000 | $210,000 |
Assuming a 5% annual increase based on inflation and average annual electric rate increases in Maine.
Let's assume you pay $222 for electricity monthly (the Lewiston, ME average) and that electricity prices increase by 5% annually. Let's also assume you buy your solar panel system upfront and that it costs you $30,000 before any available incentives.
In the first year with solar, you'll avoid spending $2,700 on electric bills. Over five years, you'll avoid $14,800; by 10 years, you'll have avoided $34,100. Solar panels are usually covered under warranty for 25 years—by then, you'll have avoided spending $134,100 on electric bills in Lewiston, ME.
The average payback period in Lewiston, ME is 11.53 years, so by this point, you've already broken even on your investment. When you subtract your upfront installation cost, you'll pocket $104,100 over 25 years with solar.
Your solar savings depend on you
How much your utility company charges for electricity is a big indicator of how much you'll save with solar. But your exact solar savings depend on your unique situation—including your energy usage, roof layout, system size, and how you pay for your system.
Here are some reasons your savings could be below average:
You don’t use much electricity, or your roof is small or has a less-than-ideal layout. You might have a relatively long payback period, so you'll save a little less over time.
You don't install enough solar panels to 100% offset your energy use. You’ll pay less up front but save less in the long run.
You finance your solar panel system with a loan or sign a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) instead of paying up front. These types of arrangements can make a lot of sense for keeping your capital flexible and will allow you to start saving sooner. But they will cut into your long-term savings.
Choosing a high-quality solar installer is the key to getting a top-notch solar panel system that will help you save on electric bills.
We pre-screen all solar companies on EnergySage to ensure they get the job done right. Here are the highest-rated EnergySage installers in Lewiston, ME:
Elite+ InstallerScreened & Verified4.3 /5.0123 Reviews
Elite InstallerScreened & Verified5.0 /5.027 Reviews
Elite InstallerScreened & Verified5.0 /5.014 Reviews
Elite InstallerScreened & Verified5.0 /5.09 Reviews
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