In this guide
Short answer: yes. Since mid-July 2026, Maine's LD 1730 allows one portable plug-in solar device per customer. A device of 420 W or less you can plug in yourself, with no utility notice. A device of up to 1,200 W must be installed by a licensed electrician, and you must notify your utility within 30 days. No interconnection agreement or fees in either case.
- Status
- Legal, in force
- Law
- LD 1730 (2026), signed April 6, 2026
- Do-it-yourself limit
- One device, 420 W or less
- With an electrician
- Up to 1,200 W
- Utility notice
- Within 30 days, above 420 W only
- Certification
- UL 3700, a comparable standard, or NEC-compliant setup
Maine passed its law in April 2026, just weeks after Utah's model had spread to other legislatures. Lawmakers added a safety-first twist: the bigger the device, the more professional the installation. For the rest of the country, see the 50-state map.
The two tiers
| 420 W or less | 421 W to 1,200 W | |
|---|---|---|
| Who installs | You | A licensed electrician |
| Tell the utility | Not required | Within 30 days of installation |
| Interconnection agreement | No | No |
| Utility fees | No | No |
| Typical kit | One panel, about 400 W | Two to three panels, 800 to 1,200 W |
The law covers plug-in photovoltaic or battery systems, and each retail customer may install one device. If you want more than one panel, that means a single system whose inverter output stays within your tier.
Which equipment counts
LD 1730 names UL 3700, the new plug-in solar standard. It also accepts devices certified to comparable standards by other recognized labs, and devices configured in line with the National Electrical Code as adopted by Maine's Electricians' Examining Board. That last route is why some products using in-panel meters and smart breakers, such as CraftStrom's, were marketed in Maine. In April 2026, APsystems said its EZ1 microinverter was available in Maine and EcoFlow said it planned to sell its STREAM microinverter there once the law took effect. Read UL 3700 explained before you buy, and ask for the certificate.
Central Maine Power and Versant
Neither utility can require an interconnection agreement or charge a fee for a qualifying device. For a system above 420 W, send the notice within 30 days of installation. Your electrician can help you prepare it. Don't count on credits for power your home doesn't use at that moment: plug-in devices aren't set up for net energy billing, so the savings come from what you use yourself.
Renters
LD 1730 doesn't give tenants a right to install. Maine's older solar rights statute only protects solar clothes-drying devices (clotheslines), so your lease governs. Tenants must make sure the device doesn't damage the rental or break safety codes, and must reverse any changes when they remove it. A freestanding 400 W panel on a stand, plugged into an outlet on your balcony, is the simplest request to make. See can my landlord stop me?
How much a kit saves in Maine
Maine's average residential price was about 32 cents per kWh in July 2026 (EIA). Sunshine is lower than in the South, but the price more than makes up for it.
| Setup | Produced per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~320 kWh | ~$97 |
| 800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~630 kWh | ~$163 |
| 800 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,000 kWh | ~$259 |
| 1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,500 kWh | ~$316 |
Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 32.4¢/kWh. An electrician's visit adds to the cost of a larger system, which is why a 400 W DIY kit often has the fastest payback. Try your numbers with the calculator, preset for Maine.
Winter in Maine
December production can be a fifth of June's. Panels mounted vertically on a railing shed snow and catch the low winter sun better than flat ones, so they lose less in winter than their annual rating suggests. See the best angle and direction.
Frequently asked questions
Is balcony solar legal in Maine?
Yes. Governor Mills signed LD 1730 on April 6, 2026, and it took effect in mid-July 2026, 90 days after the legislature adjourned. It allows one portable plug-in solar or battery device per customer.
Can I install plug-in solar myself in Maine?
Yes, if the device is rated 420 W or less. You can plug it in yourself and you don't need to notify your utility. Devices above 420 W, up to 1,200 W, must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Do I need to tell Central Maine Power or Versant?
Only for devices above 420 W: you must notify your utility within 30 days of installation. For 420 W or less, no notice is required. In both cases the utility can't require an interconnection agreement or charge a fee.
What certification does Maine require?
LD 1730 refers to the UL 3700 standard for plug-in solar, and also accepts devices certified to comparable standards by other labs or configured in line with the National Electrical Code as adopted in Maine.
How much does a balcony solar kit save in Maine?
Maine's average price was about 32 cents per kWh in July 2026, among the highest in the country. A 420 W kit on a south railing saves roughly $90 to $110 a year; a well-placed 800 W kit roughly $160 to $260.
Update log
- Page published. Checked against reporting on the signed bill.
Sources and official texts
- pv magazine USA: Maine becomes third state to pass plug-in solar legislation (Apr 3, 2026)
- pv magazine USA: Maine's plug-in solar law takes effect in July (Apr 16, 2026)
- Bangor Daily News: Maine legislators greenlight plug-in solar (Apr 27, 2026)
- U.S. EIA: Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (July 2026 prices)