Maine’s Public Advocate, Barry Hobbins, is urging community solar companies across the state to produce their billing rates after customers reported not receiving the advertised savings on their electricity bills. The push follows numerous complaints from community solar participants who were led to believe they would see significant savings, but are experiencing costs that don’t align with promotional materials. Hobbins stated, “We need transparency from these companies to ensure that customers are getting what they signed up for.” He is advocating for a thorough review of the pricing structures and requires solar companies to present clearer data regarding how much customers should actually expect to save. In recent discussions, Hobbins highlighted a need for regulatory oversight to ensure consumer protection in this growing energy sector. Meanwhile, many community solar companies express a commitment to addressing the concerns and are working to improve communication regarding savings and billing. As community solar projects expand, the concerns of customers and the push for accountability continue to gain traction among regulators and policymakers. The situation has prompted renewed discussions about the future of renewable energy initiatives in Maine and the importance of maintaining consumer trust in solar programs.
Maine’s Public Advocate Raises Concerns Over Community Solar Savings
