Electricity costs are expected to increase more than utility companies predicted due to community solar programs. The hike in price will be seen on Mainers’ electricity bills starting July 1st.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Versant and Central Maine Power say the increase is mostly due to incentives approved by Maine Legislature to encourage development and subscribers to community solar farms as an alternative electricity provider.

Maine legislature approved the Act to Promote Solar Energy Projects and Distributed Generation Resources in Maine as a way to reduce standard costs by diversifying Maine’s electricity providers and steer the state towards green energy sources.

Now that more Mainer’s have turned to small-scale solar farms, however, people who are still signed on to fossil-fuel based companies are paying the difference. The increase in cost is a cause of concern for many Mainers, who are already paying a significant amount higher than previous years. Versant Power says their customers in eastern and northern Maine could see an additional $15 a month. Customers residing in Aroostock and parts of Penobscot county who use an average of 500 kilowatts of power can expect to pay an additional $11 a month. CMP predicts an increase of $9.02 a month for its average customer.

Solar developers say their solar projects will eventually show long term benefits, but because rates for community solar power is tied through Maine Legislature to the rates of fossil-fuel companies, community solar developers are also receiving higher than anticipated rates.

Both CMP and Versant say community solar farms represent two-thirds of the upcoming price hike.