Maine has abundant sun for solar electricity, way more than Germany, a global leader in sun power. Sadly, we have lagged behind many other states, including all our neighbors in the Northeast, in the movement toward this clean, renewable energy source. Our citizens, businesses and institutions are ready, but Maine’s energy policy has not been very supportive.

The lone bright spot is a policy called “net metering.” Essentially, this allows people and other entities who install solar equipment to use the electric grid for storage and delivery to where the solar electricity is used, getting a credit on their bill for the avoided variable cost of other power.

Net metering has supported solar installers (good jobs), and the small amount of solar power we have (less than 1 percent of the total). Almost all of this is accounted for by individuals, small businesses and colleges.

As a result of a legislatively mandated process, legislation is being proposed to change Maine’s policy. This could be good, as Maine needs stronger solar incentives, especially for larger-scale projects. Going solar is a local and global imperative to address climate disruption.

Some aspects of the pending legislation are disturbing, though, potentially creating more complexity and corporate influence, plus new uncertainties about the economics over the full useful life of the equipment.

It’s complicated. One objective is to “do no harm.” Another might be “don’t fix it if it isn’t broken.”

Net metering is understandable and useful, especially for smaller-scale projects. Maybe it should be retained for these smaller projects. If replaced, it should only be by something demonstratively better. We must have clear incentives to install solar electricity over the full useful life of a system.

The stakes are high. Let’s make sure Maine leaps forward. Stay tuned and stay involved!

Steve Weems

Brunswick

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