Maine lawmakers taking closer look at solar power payback Critics worry the state is forcing utilities to pay solar power providers — especially large commercial producers — too much, and that the burden will end up on the backs of ratepayers. By Bonnie WashukSpecial to the Sun Journal Read Article AUGUSTA — Consumers interested in rooftop or community solar should stay tuned to what comes out of the Maine Legislature by the time members adjourn in June. At issue is something called net energy billing, which in simple terms means when a home’s or business’s rooftop solar panels generate more electricity than needed onsite and the home or business owner gets credit for that electricity, which gets fed into the New England power grid.