Is balcony (plug-in) solar legal in Maryland?
State law: yes. HB 1532, Utility RELIEF Act (2026 Md. Laws ch. 353), Public Utilities § 7–321 covers plug-in (balcony) solar in Maryland, in force since Jul 1, 2026. Limits and conditions are below.
Maryland law
LegalState law: plug-in solar is legal here.
- In force since
- Jul 1, 2026
- Size cap
- 1,200 W (maximum power output back to the building's electric system; one system per electric meter; residential use only; ≤391 W exempt from listing rules that would require wiring alterations (§ 7–321(f)))
- Law
- HB 1532, Utility RELIEF Act (2026 Md. Laws ch. 353), Public Utilities § 7–321
- Progress
- Approved by the governor (Chapter 353).
- Certification
- UL or equivalent NRTL
- Landlord
- Statute is silent. Renting? Landlord and HOA rules by state →
- HOA
- Statute is silent.
- Tell your utility?
- No utility approval, fee for feeding power back, or extra equipment. Notify the utility before installing and give it a certification of the system's safety features and maximum capacity. If the system needs an automatic locking disconnect switch, the customer pays for installing it (§ 7–321(d)–(e)).
- Export credit
- Not subject to the net metering law (§§ 7–306, 7–306.1) and can't generate renewable energy credits (§ 7–321(c)).
More about plug-in solar in Maryland
How big a plug-in solar kit is allowed in Maryland?
State law: up to 1,200 W (maximum power output back to the building's electric system; one system per electric meter; residential use only; ≤391 W exempt from listing rules that would require wiring alterations (§ 7–321(f))).
What certification does a kit need in Maryland?
State law: UL or equivalent NRTL. How to check a kit →
Do I need to tell my utility in Maryland?
State law: No utility approval, fee for feeding power back, or extra equipment. Notify the utility before installing and give it a certification of the system's safety features and maximum capacity. If the system needs an automatic locking disconnect switch, the customer pays for installing it (§ 7–321(d)–(e)).
Can a landlord or HOA stop plug-in solar in Maryland?
State law. Landlords: Statute is silent. HOAs: Statute is silent.
Do I get paid for power a plug-in kit sends to the grid in Maryland?
State law: Not subject to the net metering law (§§ 7–306, 7–306.1) and can't generate renewable energy credits (§ 7–321(c)).
How much would a plug-in solar kit save in Maryland?
It depends on which way the panels face, their tilt, how much of the power your home uses as it is made, and your utility's rate. The average residential electricity price in Maryland was 22.3¢/kWh (our 12-month average of EIA data, Aug 2025–Jul 2026). The calculator on canipluginsolar.com models it hour by hour for your address.
Before you buy a kit in Maryland
Neighboring states
Planning a kit in Maryland? Get your step-by-step checklist, from the law's own wording.
Renting in Maryland? Write a letter to your landlord, matched to Maryland's rules.
A federal bill (H.R. 10851) would also require every state to consider plug-in rules; Maryland already has its own law. H.R. 10851 on congress.gov.