Maine has approved plug-in solar systems with the bill having been signed by Governor Janet Mills
It will enable residents to install small units by plugging them into standard outlets
Systems must meet safety standards, require utility notification, and are not eligible for net energy billing
After Utah and Virginia, Maine has become the 2nd US state to have cleared legislation for plug-in solar. Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1730 bill earlier this month that paves the way for residents to install plug-in solar, also called balcony solar, at their homes or apartments, says Canary Media.
Introduced by State Senator Nicole Grohoski, it will enable the deployment of plug-in battery systems with a minimum 420 W by the retail electricity consumer directly by plugging into a standard electrical outlet. For system sizes between 420 kW and 1,200 kW, a state licensed electrician will be required. These systems must have inverters configured to shut off after 0.2 seconds if power is disrupted.
Within 30 days of its installation, retail electricity customers are required to inform the relevant transmission and distribution utility. Only UL 3700 listed or certified plug-in solar systems can be installed, or any other applicable standards developed by UL LLC or the National Electrical Code specific to plug-in solar systems and plug-in battery systems.
The Maine legislation specifies that plug-in solar systems will not be eligible for net energy billing since these do not send power back to the grid. These systems will be able to power refrigerators, heat pumps, and other appliances on-site.
In a joint statement welcoming the bill’s passage, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN), and A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) said that the bill will help an average Maine household cut down its electricity bills by nearly 20% or $388 per year. It will be a welcome addition since there has been a 68% increase in Central Maine Power’s electricity rates.
NRCM says certified plug-in solar products should be available in Maine by the fall.
Utah was the 1st US state to pass such a law for plug-in systems. As of March 3, 2026, as many as 30 US states had announced plug-in solar bills (see 30 US States Taking Legislative Action For Balcony Solar). As of April 14, 2026, the number of such states has expanded to 34, says Bright Saver.
Virginia’s HB 395 bill is awaiting Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature to come into force, while Maryland’s HB1532 and Colorado’s HB 26-1007 have passed both chambers.
California is also advancing its SB 868 bill or Plug and Play Solar Act that was introduced by Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco.
Meanwhile, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed a decision in the Community Solar Proceeding (A.22-05-022) that ‘crushes any chance’ of community solar projects in the state.
Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) California State Affairs Director Stephanie Doyle said, “The state legislature made it clear in passing AB 2316 in 2022 that it wants a robust program to provide community solar to low-income Californians and to support grid resilience for all ratepayers. But instead of following the law and listening to the broad coalition of Californians who have repeatedly called for a workable community solar program, the CPUC has doubled down on its past bad decisions at the behest of monopoly utilities.”