Plug-in solar in Maine
Law in effect Checked November 10, 2026
Maine's law took effect July 29, 2026. Small systems up to 420 watts can be plugged in by anyone. Systems from 420 to 1,200 watts need a licensed electrician, a dedicated circuit and a notice to your utility within 30 days. Plug-in batteries are covered too.
Effective date: July 29, 2026 (derived from the law's effective-date clause)
The law
| Bill | Stage | Last action | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD 1730 (SP 676) An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis Public Law 2025, chapter 644 | Signed into law | Signed by the Governor; Public Law, Chapter 644 (April 6, 2026) | Signed: April 6, 2026 Effective: July 29, 2026 (derived) |
Derived: the law has no emergency clause, so it took effect on the general effective date for the session (July 29, 2026), as published by the Maine Legislature.
The rules
| Rule | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size (output) | 1,200 W Up to 420 watts AC combined per service address with no electrician. From 420 to 1,200 watts, each system must be installed by a Maine-licensed electrician on a dedicated circuit with a single outlet (35-A MRSA 3475(3)). | Source |
| Panel (DC) limit | No limit set Limits are on export capacity and inverter output. | Source |
| Plug-in batteries | Covered by the law Plug-in battery systems (AC-coupled storage that plugs into an outlet) are eligible systems within the same limits (3475(1)(A), (1)(C)). | Source |
| Tell your utility? | Only above a size threshold Only for systems over 420 watts: notify the transmission and distribution utility within 30 days after installation on a PUC form (3475(5)). | Source |
| Utility approval needed? | No A utility may not require approval, an interconnection application or study, fees, or extra equipment, and may not deny a compliant system (3475(5)-(6)). | Source |
| Renters and landlords | Notice or restoration rules only No landlord-consent rule. A customer using a structure they do not own must not compromise it or violate building, fire or zoning codes, and must restore it on removal (3475(8)). | Source |
| HOAs and condo associations | Not mentioned in the law The law does not mention HOAs or covenants. | Source |
| Safety certification required | UL 3700 (or comparable) Eligible systems are listed or certified to UL 3700, to a comparable NRTL standard, or configured per the National Electrical Code adopted by the Electricians' Examining Board (3475(1)(A)). Inverters must shut off within 0.2 seconds if power is disrupted. | Source |
| Net metering | Excluded An eligible system may not be used for net energy billing (3475(4)). | Source |
What's next
Watch for the PUC notification form for systems over 420 watts and for how utilities treat the "configured per the National Electrical Code" route.
Kits in Maine
| Kit | AC output | UL 3700 | Fit in Maine |
|---|---|---|---|
| APsystems EZ1-LV plug-in microinverter | 900 W | Certified (certificate seen), component only | Component certificate only: check with seller certificate |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-391-1WM-LV | 391 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-420-1WM-LV | 420 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 180 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 180 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 360 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 360 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 400W Rigid Solar Panels | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | 800 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 700 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 1200 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 1,050 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
What these labels mean
- Component certificate only: check with seller
- This state requires UL 3700 (or complete-system certification). The certificate we have seen covers only one part, such as the inverter, so ask the seller whether the complete kit is certified.
- UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen
- The maker says the product meets UL 3700, but we have not seen a certificate.
- Not certified
- The maker or seller says it is not certified to the standard this state requires.
- No certification evidence found
- We found no certificate and no claim for the certification this state requires.
What could it save?
For an 800 W panel kit at Maine's average residential price of 29.6¢/kWh (September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months)):
- Ideal tilt (20°, south)
- 1,018 kWh a year: about $208 typical (69% used at home), up to $301 best case (100%)
- Vertical railing (90°, south)
- 783 kWh a year: about $160 typical (69% used at home), up to $232 best case (100%)
"Typical" uses HTW Berlin's model for an 800 W system without a battery; exports are assumed to earn nothing. Solar data: NREL PVWatts for Augusta (capital). Try your own numbers · Is it worth it? · Railing vs tilted
Price source: EIA residential average, September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months).
Questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Maine?
Yes. Maine's law took effect July 29, 2026. Small systems up to 420 watts can be plugged in by anyone. Systems from 420 to 1,200 watts need a licensed electrician, a dedicated circuit and a notice to your utility within 30 days. Plug-in batteries are covered too.
How big can a plug-in solar system be in Maine?
Up to 420 watts AC combined per service address with no electrician. From 420 to 1,200 watts, each system must be installed by a Maine-licensed electrician on a dedicated circuit with a single outlet (35-A MRSA 3475(3)).
Do I have to tell my utility in Maine?
Only above a size threshold. Only for systems over 420 watts: notify the transmission and distribution utility within 30 days after installation on a PUC form (3475(5)).
Can my landlord stop me from using plug-in solar in Maine?
No landlord-consent rule. A customer using a structure they do not own must not compromise it or violate building, fire or zoning codes, and must restore it on removal (3475(8)).
What certification does a kit need in Maine?
Eligible systems are listed or certified to UL 3700, to a comparable NRTL standard, or configured per the National Electrical Code adopted by the Electricians' Examining Board (3475(1)(A)). Inverters must shut off within 0.2 seconds if power is disrupted.
Which kits are confirmed to qualify in Maine?
None yet. We have not seen a certificate covering a complete kit, so no kit is marked compatible in Maine.
Neighbouring states
- New Hampshire: Signed — details being verified
Related: is it worth it? · railing vs tilted panels · renters guide · all kits · Certification watch · how we verify
Sources
- Maine Legislature: LD 1730 (SP 676) summary and status (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Maine Legislature: LD 1730 text and disposition (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Public Law 2025, chapter 644 (LD 1730), printed chapter (Law text; accessed November 10, 2026) The site labels chaptered text as unofficial until the Session Laws are published.
- Maine Legislature homepage: general effective date for nonemergency laws of the 132nd Second Regular Session (Official legislature record; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Legislative Digest of Bills and Summaries of Enacted Laws, 132nd Legislature, Second Regular Session (Official legislature record; accessed November 10, 2026)
This page is general information, not legal or electrical advice. Laws change and utilities differ. Check the linked official sources, your lease or HOA rules, and your utility before you buy or install anything. Full disclaimer.