Balcony Solar in Maryland
Maryland folded plug-in solar into the 'Utility RELIEF Act.' It allows devices exporting up to 1,200 W, took effect immediately as an emergency measure, and requires certification by a testing lab.
Reviewed August 6, 2026 against primary sources. Laws change — the sources below let you re-check.
Does Maryland require UL 3700?
No — the statute does not name UL 3700.
certified by Underwriters Laboratory or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Does not name UL 3700 — the string '3700' is absent from the bill. The ≤391 W exemption applies only to product-listing provisions that would require building, wiring, or panel alterations; it is not a blanket certification waiver, contrary to some secondary sources.
Why this matters: “certified by UL” names an organization; “certified to UL 3700” names a plug-in-PV standard. They are not the same claim. Full explainer →
What the law does
- Devices at or below 391 W are exempt from product-listing provisions that would require alterations to the building's wiring or panels (not a full cert waiver).
- Not RPS-eligible; the device earns no renewable energy credits.
- Customer must notify the utility before installation.
What's still unsettled
- Anti-islanding is not stated in the text; only an optional automatic locking disconnect switch is mentioned.
- The '391 W exempt from UL certification' framing found in secondary sources is inaccurate.
Before you buy in Maryland
A state law opening the door is only one of three gates. The gear must actually be certified to what the law asks for — and today no plug-in kit sold in the US carries UL 3700 yet. Your utility may still want notification. If you rent, your lease or HOA is a separate yes. What "UL 3700 certified" really means →