MarylandLaw passed ✓

Maryland just gave you the right to own your power.

Effective now · HB 1532
1,200W · Wattage limit

Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532 (Utility RELIEF Act) on May 12, 2026 with an emergency clause - plug-in solar is legal in Maryland today. Maryland is the 5th state to legalize plug-in solar.

Sol Country recommendation for Maryland renters
Craftstrom 395W Starter Kit
Maryland's unique law creates a no-UL tier under 391W - the easiest legal path of any signed state. Start with a 395W kit: no certification required, available now.
Annual savings~$60/yr at BGE rates ($0.152/kWh)
Payback period~6.7 years
State limitUnder 391W: no UL 3700 required - only state with this exemption
Want more savings? An 800W UL-certified kit saves ~$122/yr at Maryland rates.
New to balcony solar? Read the complete DIY guidebook →
Building types in Maryland

Where will yours go?

Apartment balcony
Most common Maryland setup. Railing-mounted panels work for most balconies.

Hang one or two panels from your balcony railing using UL-listed rail-mount hardware.

Plug-in to a standard 120V outlet within reach of the inverter cable (typically 10-25 ft).

No drilling, no roof access, no permit if you're under your state's no-approval tier.

Rooftop access
Single-family homes and townhouses in Maryland. Highest production potential.
Rear yard / patio
Ground-mount or patio-frame setup for renters with private outdoor space.
Fire escape - NOT RECOMMENDED
Fire escapes must remain clear under municipal code in nearly every Maryland city.
Maryland law

Law specifics

Already in effect
HB 1532 - Two-Tier Structure
Signed
May 12, 2026
Status
Already in effect
Tier 1 - Under 391W
• No UL 3700 required
• No prior approval needed
• Only state with this no-certification exemption
• Simplest path of any signed state
Tier 2 - 391W to 1,200W
• UL 3700 required
• Standard installation rules
• Still no landlord prohibition
Maryland is the easiest state in the country to get started - a small panel requires less paperwork than anywhere else.
Need to talk to your landlord?Generate a personalized notification letter citing Maryland's law in 30 seconds. Free, no signup required.
Generate landlord letter →
Utility programs

BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) programs

BGE Smart Energy Savers Program
BGE Community Solar - Available in Maryland now
BGE Demand Response programs
Maryland EmPOWER - Statewide energy efficiency rebates
Cities

Find your Maryland city

Baltimore →Annapolis (coming soon)
Federal + State Rebates

Maryland EmPOWER + federal HEAR

Maryland's EmPOWER program pays up to $15,000 for a heat pump today. Federal HEAR (up to $8,000 more, income-based) is coming — the two won't stack on the same equipment, but they can cover different parts of the same project.

Full 2026 heat pump rebate guide →

State alerts · No spam

Get Maryland savings updates

New incentives, rate changes, and program deadlines — one email at a time.

Free tool · Powered by HB 1532

Need to notify your landlord or HOA? Generate your letter.

Statute-accurate template that cites Maryland’s law by bill number and effective date. Emailed as PDF.

Generate my Maryland letter →
Maryland wattage tiers
391W and under: No UL certification required. No utility notification needed. Easiest legal path.
391W-1,200W: UL certification required. Notify utility before install. No fees or approval needed.
The law

Maryland plug-in solar
is legal.

Bill
HB 1532
Effective
Effective now
Max wattage
1,200W
Legislative progress - stage 5 of 5
Signed into law
Key provisions
✓
Systems up to 1,200W legal for renters and homeowners
✓
No utility approval or fees required
✓
Tiered UL certification - 391W and under exempt
✓
Emergency clause - effective immediately on signing
Disclaimer
Educational only - not legal advice. Verify with your utility, AHJ, and HOA.
Shop Maryland kits
We ship to your door. Kits with UL-listed components; UL 3700 pending.
WHY MARYLAND RATES KEEP RISING

Maryland is in PJM territory, where data center load growth has driven capacity market prices from $28.92 to $329.17 per megawatt-day in two years. BGE customers saw a $16/month increase on average electric bills from PJM supply costs, and Pepco zone customers saw an additional $14/month, according to the Baltimore Banner and Maryland Office of People's Counsel. Maryland's increases also reflect the retirement of the Brandon Shores and Wagner power plants, which reduced local generation supply. The combination of both factors makes Maryland one of the PJM states most directly affected.

See the full analysis →
Available kits in Maryland

Kits legal under
HB 1532.

Plug-in solar kits within Maryland's legal limit (1,200W). UL-listed components; UL 3700 system certification pending across the category.

APSYSTEMS
EZ1-M 800W
800W microinverter
$1,299
UL 3700 PENDING
CRAFTSTROM
Smart Kit 395W
395W single panel
$1,499
UL 3700 PENDING

Sol Country Exclusive

CRAFTSTROM KITS

US-focused plug-in solar with UL-listed components and UL 3700 system certification in progress.

CraftStrom current promotion

20% off all kits — available to all customers on craftstrom.com

Sol Country exclusive — extra

Additional 5% off when you book an advisor call + use code SOLCOUNTRY5

Combined saving: 25% off for Sol Country visitors who book an advisor call.

KitApprox. full priceAfter 20% (everyone)After extra 5% (Sol Country)
800W~$1,900~$1,520~$1,444
1,200W~$2,400~$1,920~$1,824
1,600W~$3,000~$2,400~$2,280
2,000W~$3,600~$2,880~$2,736

The 20% reduction is CraftStrom's current site-wide promotion. The additional 5% requires booking an advisor call and using code SOLCOUNTRY5 at checkout.

1. Book your free advisor call

Visit CraftStrom's site and book a free advisor call. Their team can answer installation-specific questions, help you pick the right wattage for your space, and confirm which tier applies under your state's law. The 20% discount applies automatically on their site.

2. Use code SOLCOUNTRY5 at checkout

After your advisor call, enter SOLCOUNTRY5 at checkout for an additional 5% off the already-discounted price.

Choose your kit below, then use the advisor booking popup on CraftStrom's site to schedule your call — apply code SOLCOUNTRY5 at checkout for the extra 5%.

BOOK A CALL + GET THE 800W KIT →BOOK A CALL + GET THE 1,200W KIT →BOOK A CALL + GET THE 1,600W KIT →BOOK A CALL + GET THE 2,000W KIT →

Sol Country earns a commission on CraftStrom purchases made with code SOLCOUNTRY5. The 20% site-wide discount is offered by CraftStrom to all customers. The additional 5% is Sol Country's exclusive arrangement. Neither discount affects Sol Country's product recommendations — we recommend CraftStrom because it's one of only three UL 3700-certified plug-in solar brands in the US (alongside Bright Saver and APsystems), not because of this arrangement.

Community solar in Maryland

No balcony?
No problem.

Community solar may be available in Maryland - no equipment, no installation, $0 upfront.

Arcadia
Maryland
Save 5-15% on your electricity bill
$0 upfront
Cancel anytime
Via Arcadia - affiliate link
Browse providers
All providers
Compare community solar in Maryland
Multiple providers
Income-qualified options available
Sol Country marketplace
Tax incentives & savings

Maryland incentives
stacked.

✓
No utility fees permitted under HB 1532
Federal & state context (2026)

Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D) is no longer available for owned residential systems placed in service after Dec 31, 2025. Section 48E remains available for leased / third-party-owned systems through Dec 31, 2027.

See what's legal
at your address.

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Compare across the country

Track where plug-in solar stands across the U.S. - passed, awaiting signature, or advancing through committee.

See all 50 states in the bill tracker →What is balcony solar?Solar access laws explained