Is balcony solar legal in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland's Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532, chapter 353) allows one portable solar system per electric meter for residential use. The PSC says up to 1,200 W; you must notify your utility and give it a safety certification.
Last checked: · Law: HB 1532 (2026), Utility RELIEF Act, chapter 353, Public Utilities § 7-321
What the law says
| Status | Approved by the Governor May 12, 2026, chapter 353 (emergency bill) law text |
|---|---|
| In force | The bill page lists 'Upon Enactment'; the chapter also sets July 1, 2026 for some sections law text |
| Size limit | 1,200 W back to the building's electric system, per the Public Service Commission's balcony solar page. See the conflict note below law text |
| How many | Not more than one system per electric meter, residential use only law text |
| Certification | Certified by Underwriters Laboratory or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory law text |
| Utility notice | Notify the utility and give it a certification of the safety features and maximum generating capacity law text |
| Utility approval | Not required; no fee related to feeding power back; no extra equipment, except you pay for an automatic locking disconnect switch if the system requires one law text |
| Net metering / credits | Not subject to §§ 7-306 and 7-306.1; cannot count toward the renewable portfolio standard or generate renewable energy credits law text |
| 391 W rule | A system putting no more than 391 W into a standard outlet is exempt from listing provisions that would require alterations to premises, wiring or panels law text |
| Landlords / HOAs | Not addressed in § 7-321 law text |
law text = read in the bill, statute or an official government page. reported = from news or a tracker; we could not confirm it in an official source yet.
Where sources disagree
The chapter PDF prints § 7-321 twice. One version (p. 85) says 1,200 W and notice BEFORE installation; the other (p. 195) says 391 W and notice ONCE INSTALLED. The PSC's page describes the 1,200 W version. Ask your utility which notice timing it applies.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly: HB 1532 status official
- Chapter 353 text (PDF), § 7-321 on pages 85-86 and 195-196 official
- Maryland PSC: Balcony Solar official
All sources read on 2026-11-03.
Before you plug in
- Check with your utility whether it wants a notice, and how (the rules above say what it may and may not ask).
- Renting or in an HOA? Read renters & HOAs and ask your landlord or board in writing.
- Buy a kit with a certification you can look up. See certified kits.
- Estimate what it saves in Maryland: savings calculator.
This page quotes the rule; it is not legal or electrical advice.