BALTIMORE BULLETIN

If Juliet were to proclaim this famous line from a Maryland balcony after May 12th, 2026, she may just have permitted solar panels accompanying her in the scene!

Welcome to June, fellow residents of the second state in the country to enact resident balcony solar! As I mentioned in last month’s Bulletin, a supermajority of Maryland legislators authorized balcony solar panels for Maryland residents, which was enacted faster than expected thanks to an emergency clause that put it into effect once signed. 

So, what exactly is balcony solar? A typical system consists of at least one solar panel and at least one microinverter. 

The system works as follows:

More panels (up to 1,200 watts per residential meter) and battery storage options may be added, so long as they are certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or an equivalent certifier (systems ≤ 391W are exempt from this requirement).  

You can think of balcony solar like a toaster, you don’t need utility permission to plug it in, but you may be asked to let them know about it for energy data purposes. If you are a renter or you are subject to HOA rules, you can look to this guide for conversation pointers.  

Though balcony solar costs a fair bit more than toasters, even conservative estimates project you’ll break even in three years, and then save money for 20 more years! This is before market expansion, cost efficiencies, and increasing electricity costs. . Balcony solar bills are sweeping across the country, with 15+ states in various stages of passage/implementation right now! 

Whether you choose a full system or to DIY a system with microinverters and solar panels purchased separately, you will be greening your home’s energy usage! Stay tuned for a full workshop on balcony solar! 

All the best,

P.S. As always, feel free to forward this bulletin to your colleagues and/or congregants!

View all past Baltimore Bulletins here.