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MaineLD 1730132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis

Sponsored By: Nicole C. Grohoski (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - TRANSMISSION LINES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

You take liability and must restore

The utility is not liable for damage or injury from your compliant plug-in system. If you install on a building you do not own, you must not harm the structure or break building, fire, or zoning rules. When you remove the system, you must return the building to how it was before.

No utility approvals or fees

If your plug-in system meets the law, the utility cannot deny the install. The utility cannot require prior approval, interconnection applications, agreements, or studies. You do not pay utility fees for these systems, and you do not have to add extra controls or equipment beyond what the device has.

No net metering for plug-ins

Energy from eligible plug-in systems does not qualify for Maine’s net energy billing. You cannot get net-billing credits for power you export from these devices.

Home plug-in solar: size and rules

You can install one or more small plug-in solar or battery devices at your home to cut your use. Each eligible device can export up to 1,200 watts and must be UL 3700 certified (or similar) or set up under the National Electrical Code. Your combined inverter output can be up to 420 watts with no extra steps. You can go above 420 watts, up to 1,200 watts total, only if a Maine-licensed electrician installs each device on a dedicated single-outlet circuit and you notify the utility within 30 days using the commission’s form. The notice must list your service address, inverter capacity, and state that you follow these rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 76

House vote • 3/24/2026

Enactment

Yes: 79 • No: 65

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED

Yes: 29 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/17/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 25 • No: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 644

    4/6/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/2/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/31/2026House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/30/2026House

  5. Taken from the table by the President On motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock Under suspension of the Rules the Senate RECONSIDERED whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) On motion by Same Senator and Under further suspension of the Rules the Senate RECONSIDERED whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) READ and ADOPTED in NON-CONCURRENCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence

    3/26/2026Senate

  6. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ENACTMENT in concurrence. Unfinished Business

    3/25/2026Senate

  7. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 665(Yeas 79 - Nays 65 - Absent 5 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/24/2026House

  8. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-544). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/19/2026House

  9. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 778 Yeas 29 - Nays 3 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Sent down for concurrence

    3/18/2026Senate

  10. Reports READ.On motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 767 Yeas 25 - Nays 8 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  12. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

  13. Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/22/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-544), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A to C-A (S-581), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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