Plug-in Solar in Maine
On April 6th, 2026, Governor Mills signed LD 1730 An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis. This law will allow residents to install compact plug-in solar panels in their backyard, porch or balcony with the help of a qualified electrician once certified products are available in Maine. The legislation received bipartisan support in both the Maine House and Senate. A Climate to Thrive was thrilled to have worked on this bill with Senator Nicole Grohoski and Representative Gary Friedmann, and with support from Maine Climate Action Now and the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
Plug-in Solar FAQs
Plug-in solar will make solar ownership accessible to renters, low-income households, and others who have faced barriers to owning solar, thanks to recently passed legislation.
What is plug-in solar?
Plug-in Solar kits are small, portable systems that, with an electrician’s approval, can be installed on a balcony or backyard and plugged into a standard dedicated outdoor outlet. These systems have already been popular for years in Europe. The energy generated by plug-in solar can be used to offset the household’s electricity use, reducing electricity bills by as much as 20% a year. Plug-in Solar is a comparatively low-cost option for owning solar, costing less than half the price per watt as traditional rooftop solar.
When will plug in solar be available to Mainers?
Plug-in solar will be available in Maine once products finish going through a certification process happening later this year. Several companies are currently going through the certification process and we anticipate that certified plug-in solar kits will be available within the next year. Later this year, be on the lookout for UL certified products. ACTT is closely monitoring the certification process. If you are interested in receiving updates, please sign up for our Plug-in solar interest list.
How much does plug in solar cost?
Currently, plug-in solar kits range from $600-$5,000. However, plug-in solar is much cheaper in Europe and we anticipate that prices in the US will drop as more states pass laws like Maine’s. A Climate to Thrive is also exploring coordinating a bulk purchasing program to help further reduce costs. Through this program, community members would use their collective buying power to receive a bulk purchase discount and access significantly lower cost plug-in solar kits. Interested in receiving more information about bulk purchase opportunities? Sign up for our interest list.
What is the cost and payback for plug-in solar?
With current prices, a plug-in solar system is expected to pay for itself through reduced electricity bills in just over three years.
How much electricity will my plug-in solar produce?
This depends on the size and location of the panel. Systems typically range between 400-1,200 watts. A 400 watt system produces about as much electricity as a small appliance uses (such as an electric kettle), whereas a large 1,200 watt system provides about as much electricity as a dishwasher uses.
Should plug-in solar be installed by an electrician?
Yes, we recommend having a qualified electrician install your system to ensure home safety. The installation requirements set by Maine law depend on the system size.
Up to 420 Watts - small systems must be installed in a way that aligns with the electric code. For most people without this technical knowledge, we recommend having a qualified electrician install the system.
420-1,2000 Watts - Maine law requires larger systems be installed by an electrician on a dedicated circuit with a single outlet.
How does plug-in solar compare to rooftop solar?
Plug in solar is a good solution for people who rent, don’t have a suitable roof for solar, are unable to access financing, or don’t plan on staying in their home long enough to see a rooftop array pay for itself. A rooftop array has a longer payback period, but still makes more sense if you are a homeowner with a suitable roof. This is because a plug-in solar system can only offset around 20% of a typical household’s electricity use. A rooftop solar system can be sized to offset the majority of your electricity use, participate in net energy billing, and can provide better protection from rising electricity costs.
Will this provide power for an outage?
If it is paired with a battery. Plug in solar will only provide power in a power outage if paired with a battery. If your plug-in system is paired with a battery it can deliver power to small appliances during an outage.
Do I need to let my utility know I have plug-in solar?
If you install a system larger than 420 watts, state law requires that you notify your utility within 30 days. If your system is smaller than 420 watts, you do not need to notify your utility. However, your utility can NOT deny a properly installed system or require you to pay a fee. Similarly, your utility can NOT require you to get their approval before installing a system, they just need to be notified. Importantly, plug-in solar systems smaller than 1,200 watts do NOT require going through the interconnection process (the process required for rooftop arrays).
Can you get a plug-in solar system if you don’t have an outdoor outlet?
No. If you do not already have one, you will need an electrician to install an outdoor outlet.
What comes in a typical plug-in solar kit?
Plug in solar kits generally come with 4-6 panels, an inverter and a plug. You also have the option of buying a kit with a battery.
How do I participate in a bulk purchase program for plug-in solar?
Once certified systems are available, A Climate to Thrive will explore organizing a bulk purchase program. Participants in a bulk purchase program can access discounted prices by pairing their buying power with other community members. If you are interested in participating, sign up here to be notified when this program becomes available!
Additional Questions?
Email Naomi Albert from ACTT with additional questions at naomi@aclimatetothrive.org.