Balcony Solar in Maryland
Everything you need to know about plug-in and balcony solar law in Maryland, plus what it means for what you're allowed to plug in, and what it saves.
Is it legal?
Yes.
Maryland's House Bill 1532 was signed into law and takes effect on 1 October 2026. It permits systems up to 1,200W of plug-in solar per customer, a substantial upgrade from earlier draft language that had capped systems at 391W, which can be plugged into a standard outlet with no permit and no utility approval required.
The law explicitly bars utilities from charging any fee or requiring interconnection review for a qualifying plug-in solar device.
Bright Saver's 180W and 360W kits both sit well below Maryland's 1,200W cap, so they need no electrician, no dedicated circuit and no permit.
What You Can Save in Maryland
Maryland's average residential electricity price is about 16.8 cents per kWh (EIA, 2026 average). A 180 W kit generating about 270 kWh a year saves roughly $45 a year; a 360 W kit roughly $91.
Those are modest numbers on their own. What tips Maryland residents toward buying anyway is that the kit pays for itself over its life and there is no roof work or contractor needed.
The rules, in one table
Bill
Signed
HB 1532
12 May 2026
Effective
1 July 2026
Maximum System Size
1,200 W
No-Electrician Threshold
391 W
Permit Required
No
Utility Notification
Required before installation
HOA Can Prohibit
Bright Saver Ships Here
N/A
Yes
If You Rent in Maryland
Nothing in HB 1532 requires a landlord's permission for a plug-in system, and nothing is drilled or wired into the building. The kit comes down in under ten minutes when you move.
What to buy
Both Bright Saver kits qualify for Maryland's simplest tier. A $29 annual membership unlocks member pricing below. Free shipping to Maryland.
Balcony Solar 180 W
Do-It-Yourself, No roof or electrician needed
MEMBER-ONLY PRICE
Balcony Solar 360 W
Do-It-Yourself, No roof or electrician needed
MEMBER-ONLY PRICE