A group of 11 companies claim a monthly charge that could start in January violates their constitutional rights.
Communities:

11/24/25
Daniel Kool
Staff Writer

EXCERPTS

Community solar companies across Maine sued the Public Utilities Commission Monday, attempting to block the implementation of a new law designed to reduce the impact of solar development subsidies on the state’s electricity customers.

A group of 11 companies are claiming the law, which modifies Maine’s long-fought-over net energy billing program, violates their constitutional rights.

The law, passed earlier this year, restructured the program, including by creating a monthly charge for some community solar projects based on their size. Those charges could range from $2,800 to $30,000, depending on how much electricity a given system is capable of producing, and are designed to offset the distribution costs that could otherwise fall to ratepayers.

But the community solar companies claim it would cause “immediate and irreparable harm” to their businesses and are asking for a preliminary injunction before Jan. 1, when the new law is slated to take effect..............................

.........................The Maine Office of the Public Advocate forecast that the new law would save electricity customers about $1.2 billion over the next 16 years. The existing net billing law is currently forecast to cost Mainers — including those who do not participate — more than $230 million this year, according to the public advocate.

A spokesperson for the utilities commission said its attorneys had just received and were still reviewing the lawsuit after 4 p.m., referring questions to the Maine Office of the Attorney General. A spokesperson for the AG’s office said they were unable to confirm whether it is representing the utilities commission in this case.

https://www.pressherald.com/2025/11/24/maine-community-solar-companies-sue-over-changes-to-net-energy-billing-laws/

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