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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)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - TRANSMISSION LINES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Liability and property duties for customers

If you install a system on a building you do not own, you must follow building, fire, and zoning codes, avoid harming the structure, and restore it when you remove the system. The utility is not liable for any damage or injury caused by your eligible system when it complies with this law.

No net metering for plug-in devices

You cannot use these eligible plug-in systems for net energy billing under state sections 3209-A or 3209-B. You do not get credits or payments for energy you export from these devices.

Plug-in solar rights and fewer utility hoops

You can install and run one or more eligible plug-in solar panels or plug-in batteries at your service address. Utilities cannot make you get pre-approval, file interconnection paperwork, do studies, pay fees, or add extra equipment if you follow this law. If your combined inverter output is over 420 watts, you must notify your utility within 30 days using the commission form; include your service address, inverter capacity, and a compliance statement. Utilities cannot block installations that comply.

Size and safety rules for plug-in systems

An eligible system is a plug-in solar panel or plug-in battery that exports 1,200 watts or less. It must be UL 3700 listed or certified (or a comparable lab standard) or set up under the electrical code adopted by the Electricians’ Examining Board. A plug-in solar device plugs into a standard outlet and its inverter must shut off within 0.2 seconds if power is lost. Up to 420 watts total per address is allowed without extra conditions. Over 420 watts up to 1,200 watts is allowed only if a Maine-licensed electrician installs each system and each uses a dedicated circuit with a single outlet.

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. ACTPUB Chapter 644

    5/1/2026

  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

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