Do I need an electrician?

Not for up to 420 watts in total. Above 420 watts, each system needs a Maine-licensed electrician and a dedicated single-outlet circuit.

Do I have to tell CMP or Versant?

Only above 420 watts. Then you must send a notice within 30 days of installing, on the Public Utilities Commission's form.

Are plug-in batteries covered?

Yes. Plug-in batteries count under the same 420-watt and 1,200-watt limits.

Will I get net energy billing credits?

No. Systems installed under this law can't be used for net energy billing.

Can my landlord stop me?

The law doesn't stop landlords banning them. If you install, you must keep the building safe and restore it when you remove the system.

Is Balcony Solar Legal in Maine?

Yes. Maine's LD 1730 was signed April 6, 2026 as Public Law Chapter 644 and took effect July 29, 2026. You can plug in solar or battery systems up to 420 watts per address yourself, with no utility approval or fees. Between 420 and 1,200 watts you need a licensed electrician, a dedicated circuit and a utility notice within 30 days.

Maine balcony solar at a glance

Status	✅ Signed
Bill	LD 1730 (SP 676), Sen. Nicole Grohoski
Signed	April 6, 2026
Effective	July 29, 2026
Size limit	1,200 W per service address (420 W without an electrician)
Utility interconnection agreement	Not required
Utility fees	Not allowed
Certification	UL 3700 or a comparable standard from a nationally recognized testing lab, or configured to the National Electrical Code
Renter / HOA rules	No protection from a landlord ban; if you install on a building you don't own, you must keep it safe and code-compliant and restore it when you remove the system
Last checked	October 28, 2026

What Public Law Chapter 644 (LD 1730) actually does

Covers plug-in solar and plug-in battery systems with an export capacity of 1,200 W or less.
Up to 420 W of combined inverter output per service address: install it yourself, with no notice to the utility.
Above 420 W and up to 1,200 W per address: each system must be installed by a Maine-licensed electrician on a dedicated circuit with a single outlet.
Above 420 W you must notify your utility within 30 days of installing, on a form set by the Public Utilities Commission. The utility can't deny a system that complies.
Certified hardware: UL 3700 or a comparable standard, or set up to the National Electrical Code. Solar inverters must shut off within 0.2 seconds if power is disrupted.
No utility approval, interconnection application, agreement or study, no fees, and no extra equipment.
Can't be used for net energy billing, so you don't get credits for exported power.
Renters: you must keep the building safe and code-compliant and restore it when you remove the system. The utility isn't liable for damage or injury.

Renters, landlords and HOAs in Maine

No protection from a landlord ban; if you install on a building you don't own, you must keep it safe and code-compliant and restore it when you remove the system. Even so:

Read your lease and HOA rules for anything about balcony attachments or electrical devices.
Ask in writing before mounting anything to a railing.
Prefer clamp-on or freestanding mounts that don't drill into the building.

How much can balcony solar save in Maine?

Find your price per kWh on your Central Maine Power or Versant Power bill.
Check the kit's estimated yearly output for your location and the way your balcony faces (south is best, then east or west).
Multiply: yearly kWh × your price per kWh = rough yearly savings. Or use the balcony solar calculator.

Shade, railing angle and how much of the power you use while it's being made all change the result. Plug-in systems are meant to offset what your home uses, not to sell power back.

Timeline

April 22, 2025: LD 1730 referred to the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
June 25, 2025: Carried over to the next session.
March 24, 2026: House passes it 79–65.
April 2, 2026: Final enactment in both chambers.
April 6, 2026: Governor signs it as Public Law Chapter 644.
July 29, 2026: The law takes effect.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in Maine?: Yes. Since July 29, 2026, plug-in solar and battery systems up to 1,200 watts per address are allowed under Public Law Chapter 644.
Do I need an electrician?: Not for up to 420 watts in total. Above 420 watts, each system needs a Maine-licensed electrician and a dedicated single-outlet circuit.
Do I have to tell CMP or Versant?: Only above 420 watts. Then you must send a notice within 30 days of installing, on the Public Utilities Commission's form.
Are plug-in batteries covered?: Yes. Plug-in batteries count under the same 420-watt and 1,200-watt limits.
Will I get net energy billing credits?: No. Systems installed under this law can't be used for net energy billing.
Can my landlord stop me?: The law doesn't stop landlords banning them. If you install, you must keep the building safe and restore it when you remove the system.

Sources

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.