Quick Answer
Yes. Plug-in solar is legal in Maryland. The Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532) was signed into law in May 2026, and its plug-in solar rules took effect July 1, 2026. You can install up to 1,200 watts of plug-in solar, one system per electric meter, without utility approval or fees. You do have to notify your utility before you install. The law doesn’t address landlords, so if you rent, your lease still decides.
Maryland’s Plug-In Solar Law
Maryland’s Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532) is a broad energy bill, and its plug-in solar section is short and practical. Your utility can’t require approval before you install or use a plug-in system, can’t charge a fee for the power it sends back to the grid, and can’t make you add extra controls or equipment. In return, you notify the utility before installation and give it a certification of the system’s safety features and maximum output. Systems must be certified by UL or an equivalent lab, and systems at or below 391W are exempt from listing rules that would otherwise require changes to your wiring or outlets. If your system needs an automatic disconnect switch, you pay for its installation.
Law Details
| Bill | HB 1532 (Utility RELIEF Act) |
| Signed | May 12, 2026 |
| Maximum system size | 1,200 watts |
| Utility approval | Not required (advance notice is) |
| Landlord rules | Not addressed; your lease applies |
| Safety certification required | UL or equivalent lab |
| Status | In effect since July 1, 2026 |
A note on that certification line: Maryland’s law asks for UL or equivalent certification without naming a specific standard. UL 3700, the standard written specifically for plug-in solar, launched in early 2026; so far two microinverters carry it, but no complete kit does. In practice, kits with inverters meeting the established UL 1741 standard for grid-connected inverters, like the ones on our recommended kits page, are what’s actually available today.
What This Means for Renters
Maryland’s law is about your utility, not your landlord. It doesn’t mention leases, landlords or HOAs, so if your lease prohibits exterior equipment, that clause still applies. Many leases don’t mention balcony panels at all, and a clear, written request usually goes a long way; our renter FAQ walks through how to ask. What the law does guarantee is that once your landlord says yes, your utility can’t stand in the way.
Maryland Savings Estimates
Maryland’s average residential electricity rate is around $0.22/kWh (EIA, June 2026). At that rate, a single 400W panel producing about 54 kWh a month saves roughly $12/month, with a payback of about 4 to 5 years. Two panels save about $24/month on a similar payback.
Track Maryland’s law and all other US states at the Solarly state law tracker. Last updated: September 19, 2026.
