Making Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for Maine Residents
Summary
The Maine Legislature enacted LD1730, sponsored by Senator Nicole Grohoski, to make small plug-in solar generation devices accessible for Maine residents as part of addressing the energy affordability crisis. The bill passed the House (ROLL CALL NO. 665: Yeas 79 - Nays 65) and Senate (ROLL CALL NO. 778: Yeas 29 - Nays 3) after amendments through Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-581). The legislation represents Maine's policy initiative to expand residential solar access.
What changed
The Maine Legislature enacted LD1730, "An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis," on April 2, 2026. The bill was sponsored by Senator Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock) and advanced through the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee with Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as further amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581). Final passage occurred in the House (ROLL CALL NO. 665: 79-65) and Senate (ROLL CALL NO. 778: 29-3), indicating moderate bipartisan support with notable opposition.
Energy companies operating in Maine should monitor implementation requirements and any new standards for small plug-in solar generation devices. Manufacturers and retailers of solar generation equipment should review the legislation to ensure product compliance with Maine requirements. Maine residents and consumers seeking to install small plug-in solar devices should understand their new rights and any available programs under this law.
What to do next
- Monitor Maine implementation requirements for small plug-in solar generation devices
- Review product compliance requirements for solar equipment sold in Maine
- Advise consumers on new rights and options for solar device installation under LD1730
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maine / LD1730 Passed LD1730 LD Passed 2026-04-02
An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis
Bill Details
State Maine
Session 132nd Legislature
Chamber House
Official Source legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_...
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Sponsors
Nicole Grohoski (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-02 S PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. 2026-03-31 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-31 H PASSED TO BE ENACTED. 2026-03-30 H ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-30 H 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. 2026-03-26 S Sent down for concurrence 2026-03-26 S PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE. 2026-03-26 S Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) thereto ADOPTED. 2026-03-26 S On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-581) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) READ and ADOPTED in NON-CONCURRENCE. 2026-03-26 S On motion by Same Senator and Under further suspension of the Rules the Senate RECONSIDERED whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) was ADOPTED. 2026-03-26 S 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) 2026-03-26 S Taken from the table by the President 2026-03-25 S Unfinished Business 2026-03-25 S On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ENACTMENT in concurrence. 2026-03-24 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-24 H ROLL CALL NO. 665 (Yeas 79 - Nays 65 - Absent 5 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1) 2026-03-24 H PASSED TO BE ENACTED. 2026-03-19 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-03-19 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-544). 2026-03-19 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2026-03-19 H Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) was READ and ADOPTED. 2026-03-19 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2026-03-19 H On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED. 2026-03-19 H Reports READ. 2026-03-18 S Sent down for concurrence 2026-03-18 S Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 778 Yeas 29 - Nays 3 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 2026-03-18 S READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) PREVAILED 2026-03-18 S COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED. 2026-03-17 S ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY. 2026-03-17 S Committee Amendment "A" (S-544) READ and ADOPTED. 2026-03-17 S Bill READ ONCE. 2026-03-17 S Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 767 Yeas 25 - Nays 8 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 2026-03-17 S On motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. 2026-03-17 S Reports READ. 2026-03-12 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/ONTP 2026-01-29 J Voted: Divided Report 2026-01-29 J Work Session Held 2026-01-15 J Work Session Held: TABLED 2025-06-25 S CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. 2025-06-25 J Carry Over Approved 2025-05-23 J Carry Over Requested 2025-05-22 J Work Session Held: TABLED 2025-04-22 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-04-22 H The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY. 2025-04-22 S 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
Votes
2026-03-17 Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #767 Yea: 25 Nay: 8 2026-03-18 Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #778 Yea: 29 Nay: 3 2026-03-24 Enactment RC #665 Yea: 79 Nay: 65
Committee Referrals
2025-04-22 J Energy, Utilities And Technology
Amendments
0000-00-00 Senate: C-A (S-544) Adopted 0000-00-00 Senate: S-A to C-A (S-581) Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced
Subjects
Electric Utilities Transmission Lines Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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