Efficiency Maine Commercial & Industrial Incentives
Efficiency Maine Trust
Prescriptive rebates + custom $10K–$1M/yr
Maine's business efficiency incentives
Efficiency Maine is the independent administrator of Maine's energy-efficiency programs and pays Maine businesses, institutions, nonprofits, and governments to install efficient equipment. It runs two complementary tracks: the Commercial & Industrial Prescriptive Program (fixed incentives for predefined upgrades such as heat pumps, VRF systems, lighting, refrigeration, and miscellaneous measures) and the Commercial & Industrial Custom Program (tailored engineering-based incentives for site-specific electrical, thermal, and distributed-generation projects). Custom awards range from a minimum of $10,000 up to $1,000,000 per customer per year, or up to 50% of total project cost. Customers can also access free scoping audits and technical-assistance incentives, and must work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner to claim incentives.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $10,000 – $1,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Small businesses typically use the prescriptive track and receive a few hundred to several t…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round, subject to annual program funding.
- Status
- active
- States
- Maine
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Maine business, institution, nonprofit, municipality, or government entity
- Eligible facility types include commercial, industrial, multifamily (3+ units), and mixed-use buildings
- Must work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner to claim incentives
- Equipment must meet program efficiency specifications
- Custom projects require Efficiency Maine engineering approval before installation
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Commercial heat pumps and VRF systems
- Lighting upgrades
- Refrigeration equipment
- Compressed air systems
- Water heating systems
- Weatherization (multifamily)
- Custom electrical, thermal, and distributed-generation efficiency projects
Ineligible expenses
- Single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, and home-based businesses
- Equipment below program efficiency specifications
- Custom projects started before engineering approval
How to apply
-
1
Choose prescriptive or custom path
Check whether your equipment qualifies for a fixed prescriptive incentive. If the measure isn't listed or is a larger engineered project, use the custom program.
~1 hrs
-
2
Engage a Qualified Partner
Select an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner (contractor/vendor) to scope and install the project; they help prepare the incentive paperwork.
~1 hrs
-
3
Get custom pre-approval (if applicable)
For custom projects, submit the project for Efficiency Maine engineering review and incentive reservation before beginning work. Free scoping audits and technical assistance are available.
~3 hrs
-
4
Install and submit the incentive application
Install the equipment, then submit the prescriptive rebate or custom incentive claim with invoices, equipment specs, and partner documentation.
~3 hrs
Take the free scoping audit before committing — Efficiency Maine will help size the project and identify which measures qualify for the higher custom incentive vs. the prescriptive amount. For custom work, the $10,000 minimum award means it's worth bundling several measures into one project to clear the floor.
Deadline & timing
No fixed annual deadline. Custom projects require engineering review/approval before work; prescriptive rebates are claimed after installation. Custom incentive ceiling resets each program year ($1,000,000 per customer per year).
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.