Fact brief: Does Maine get at least 15% of its electricity from solar power?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 17, 2026

Yes. U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows solar energy accounted for nearly 18% of Maine’s electricity in 2025. Nearly half of that came from small-scale installations such as rooftop solar. EIA estimates Maine generated 1.6 million megawatt-hours from utility-scale solar — facilities of at least 1 megawatt — and 1.3 million MWh from small-scale systems, for a total of 2.9 million. Maine’s utility-scale and small-scale sources generated 16.2 million MWh in 2025. Of that, natural gas accounted for 34.4%, solar 17.9%, wind 17.7%, hydropower 16.3% and biomass 10.8%. State law calls for 80% of retail electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2030. By 2040, the goal rises to 90% renewable electricity, with the remaining 10% coming from qualifying clean energy resources.