Plug-in solar law passed
Maine balcony solar law
Published by ChoiscoLast verified
Quick answer
Yes. Maine allows plug-in solar, and plug-in batteries, with no utility approval and no fees. Up to 420 watts you can simply plug in. From 420 up to 1,200 watts you need a Maine-licensed electrician, a dedicated circuit, and a notice to your utility within 30 days. Exported power earns no net-metering credit.
The rules, line by line
Each line shows what we checked and where. Labels explained in our methodology.
- Law
- L.D. 1730, Public Law 2026, chapter 644, "An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents"Verified
- Signed
- April 6, 2026Verified
- In effect
- July 15, 2026 (90 days after the Legislature adjourned)Reported
The law has no effective-date clause; the exact date comes from secondary sources.
Source: MGRID, April 3, 2026 - Maximum size
- Two tiers per service address: up to 420 W with no electrician; above 420 W up to 1,200 W only if installed by a licensed electrician on a dedicated circuit with a single outlet.Verified
- Utility approval or notice
- No approval. Above 420 W only: notify the utility within 30 days after installing, on a Public Utilities Commission form.Verified
- Fees
- None. The utility may not charge any fee related to the system.Verified
- Required certification
- Listed or certified to UL 3700, or a comparable standard from a nationally recognized testing laboratory, or configured to the National Electrical Code. Inverters must shut off within 0.2 seconds of a power disruption.Verified
- Outlet and wiring
- A standard electrical outlet; above 420 W, a dedicated single-outlet circuit installed by a licensed electricianVerified
- Renters and landlords
- No right to install for renters. If you install on a structure you do not own, you must not damage it or break building, fire or zoning codes, and must restore it when you remove the system.Verified
- HOAs
- Nothing in the law. HOA or condo rules may still restrict installation.Verified
- Pay for power sent to the grid
- None. May not be used for net energy billing.Verified
All facts above last checked Oct. 2, 2026.
Products that mention Maine
No maker we track says its product is available or permitted in Maine.
These are the makers' own statements; check each product against the requirements above. See the kit tracker.
Open questions we are tracking
- The exact effective date (reported as July 15, 2026).
- The utility notice form depends on the Public Utilities Commission.
Sources
- Source: Maine Public Law 2026, ch. 644 (L.D. 1730) (primary)
- Source: Maine Legislature L.D. 1730 page (primary)
- Source: MGRID, April 3, 2026 (secondary)
Timeline
- April 6, 2026
Governor approved L.D. 1730.
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This page explains the law in plain English. Your utility, local codes, lease or HOA may add requirements. Estimate your savings with the calculator.