Small battery incentive helps homeowners save while supporting the grid
THROUGH A NEW PROGRAM launched earlier this year by Efficiency Maine, Maine homeowners can now use residential backup battery systems to lower their electric bills, earn annual payments, and help level the load on Maine’s electric grid.
According to Andy Meyer, senior program manager for Efficiency Maine, who presented about the small battery program for this magazine’s Home + Energy Chats webinar in early June, the program is designed to reduce electricity demand during the busiest hours of the year (also called “peak demand”), when costs and emissions are at their highest.
The new incentive encourages homeowners with qualifying battery systems to participate in what is known as a “virtual power plant,” where during peak demand events, participating batteries automatically discharge a portion of their stored energy to the grid. Homeowners enroll through their battery manufacturer’s app, and the process is largely automated with homeowners maintaining the ability to control how much power is made available to the grid and when. Participants receive annual compensation for making their stored energy available while still maintaining backup power for their homes.
According to Meyer, batteries can also reduce household electricity costs every day. When paired with CMP’s time-of-use electric rates, they can be set to automatically charge when electricity is less expensive and power the home during high-cost evening hours. Meyer estimates that some homeowners could reduce their electric bills by as much as 25 percent, depending on their energy use.
Although battery systems require a larger upfront investment than traditional standby generators, Meyer noted that ongoing bill savings and incentive payments can substantially reduce their lifetime cost. Unlike generators, batteries also operate silently, require little maintenance, and provide value year-round rather than only during power outages.
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This article appeared in the Fall 2026 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!
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