What States Allow Plug-In Solar?
Plug-in or balcony solar panels are designed to plug into a standard outlet. Plug-In Solar Guide tracks the rules in all 50 states, so you can check yours.
As of September 2026, Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New Jersey have signed a plug-in solar bill into law. Use the interactive map below to check your state.
What is Plug-In Solar?
Plug-in solar (also called balcony solar or plug-and-play solar) refers to small photovoltaic systems, typically 400W to 1,200W, that connect directly to a standard household outlet. They immediately offset your electricity consumption, lowering your utility bill. Depending on the state you are in, and the size of the system they can be installed without any professional installation.
Popular in Germany and across Europe for years, these systems have been held back in the U.S. by regulatory gray areas around utility interconnection rules. Utah's 2025 law changed that, and now a wave of states are following.
Costs, bill savings, and payback vary widely based on system size, local electric rates, sunlight, placement, and incentives. Small systems can cost well under traditional rooftop solar, but buyers should compare products, installation, and incentive assumptions before estimating payback. Some systems are available from manufacturers in states where they're legal. In Europe, kits are sold at major retailers like IKEA.
Plug It In
In states with enabling legislation, qualifying certified systems may avoid many of the permitting and interconnection steps required for traditional rooftop solar.
Save Immediately
Starts reducing your electricity bill the moment it's plugged in. Pays for itself in years.
Renter-Friendly
In some states plug-in solar is allowed for apartments and rentals.
UL 3700 Safety Framework
UL 3700, published in December 2025, is the first U.S. safety standard written specifically for plug-in solar. The standard covers electrical shock, fire, and structural safety. UL Solutions opened product testing in January 2026.
States That Allow Plug-In Solar
Track which states allow plug-in solar and where legislation is advancing.
May contain inaccuracies, verify with your state legislature. Legislation data sourced from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0) and other public sources.
All States with Legislation
In effect since August 12, 2026. Your utility can no longer block or charge you for a plug-in solar device; HOA and landlord protections begin January 1, 2027.
View Colorado GuideSigned into law as Public Act 26-127. Governor signed it on June 4, 2026 and it takes effect October 1, 2026.
View Connecticut GuideGovernor signed HB 1532 on May 12, 2026 as Chapter 353. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
View Maryland GuideGovernor Mills signed LD 1730 on April 6, 2026 and it took effect July 15th, 2026.
View Maine GuideSigned into law July 2, 2026 as Chapter 262. Most provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
View New Hampshire GuideSigned into law on September 1, 2026 as the Garden State Balcony Solar Act. The rules take effect six months later, on March 1, 2027.
View New Jersey GuideBoth SB 250 and HB 395 were signed into law on April 22, 2026 and the rules take effect January 1, 2027.
View Virginia GuideGovernor signed S. 202 into law on June 16, 2026. Took effect July 1, 2026.
View Vermont GuideSB 868 was delivered to Governor Newsom on August 31, 2026. He has until September 30 to sign or veto it. AB 2612 was held in committee on August 13 and is finished for the year.
California Bill StatusPassed both chambers as part of a larger energy bill. After the Senate passed its version 32-8 on July 1, a conference committee was appointed on July 16 to work out a single compromise version.
Massachusetts Bill StatusA 9111 passed both the Assembly and the Senate on May 28, clearing the Legislature. It is still waiting to be sent to the Governor, who will then have 30 days to sign or veto it.
New York Bill StatusGRID Act introduced to let renters use balcony solar without utility approval.
Washington DC Bill StatusBill introduced to extend solar access to portable plug-in systems.
Michigan Bill StatusBill with bipartisan support being reviewed by the House Energy committee.
Pennsylvania Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. The session ended May 20 with both bills still stuck in committee.
Alaska Bill StatusHB 2843 died in committee after utility opposition. SB 1606 has stalled without a hearing.
Arizona Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. SB 270 was still in committee when the session ended on June 30.
Delaware Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. SB 2902 stalled in House CPC committee when the session ended.
Hawaii Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. HF 2046 died in the Commerce Committee when the session ended.
Iowa Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. Sponsors ended their push for SB 3104 after an amendment would have barred plug-in solar until national electrical standards are updated.
Illinois Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. Never got a committee hearing this session.
Indiana Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. SF 4504 cleared the Senate, but the House never took it up before the session ended.
Minnesota Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. Bills did not move forward this session.
Missouri Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. Lawmakers wrapped up their regular session on August 6 with both bills still sitting in their Rules committees.
North Carolina Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. The session ended without action.
New Mexico Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. HB 4060 stalled in the Senate Energy committee as the session ends.
Oklahoma Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. H 7269 passed the House but died in a Senate committee when the session ended.
Rhode Island Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. H 4579 has sat in committee with no action since January.
South Carolina Bill StatusDeferred until 2027. Plug-in solar language was removed before the bill was signed.
Washington Bill StatusSolar Payback Calculator
Estimate how long a plug-in solar system takes to pay for itself at your location. Enter your ZIP code to get started.
See your solar savings
Enter your ZIP code to calculate personalized payback estimates based on local solar data and electricity rates.
The links below are affiliate links for EcoFlow, APsystems, Current Connected, and Amazon. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Products
Plug-in solar products available for purchase. Plug-in Solar Guide is for informational purposes only. Please be sure to double check before buying that products are legal and safe to install where you live. For the products available outside of states that have passed a plug-in solar bill, check with your utility to see if they allow energy exports if you won't be consuming all the power.
STREAM Microinverter
One-Step Plug & Play Solar System
A plug-and-play microinverter with 3 MPPTs, 4 PV inputs, and 1,200W output, designed specifically for Utah's HB 340 framework. Pair with compatible solar panels and plug into any standard outlet to start offsetting your electricity bill immediately.
Buy NowAvailable in: UT · UL 1741
STREAM Ultra
Plug-in solar with battery for time-of-use savings
Combines a 1.92 kWh LFP battery with a built-in 800W grid-tied microinverter. Store solar production for evening use or charge from the grid during off-peak hours and discharge during peak rates (if your utility offers time-of-use billing). During outages, the grid-tied inverter shuts down, but you can plug devices directly into the battery's built-in outlets for up to 1,200W of portable backup power. Expand storage from 1.92 kWh up to 11.52 kWh by plugging additional STREAM Ultra units into a standard NEMA 5-15/5-20 outlet, or integrate with EcoFlow DELTA Series batteries.
Buy NowAvailable in: UT
EZ1-LV Plug-In Microinverter
Purpose-built plug-in solar. No complexity. Just works.
Skip the complexity of multi-input systems. EZ1-LV is designed to do one thing really well—efficiently power two panels with true dual MPPT and a clean plug-and-play setup. No oversizing, no guesswork—just reliable performance you can plug into your home outlet and start using right away. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make setup and monitoring simple, with no installer required.
Buy NowAvailable in: US · UL 1741
Callsun 200W Bifacial Solar Panel (2-Pack)
Pairs with the EcoFlow STREAM series
A 2-pack of 200W N-type bifacial panels. Pairs with the EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter or STREAM Ultra. Each panel fits cleanly into one of the inverter's PV inputs, with room to add more panels as your setup grows. The APsystems EZ1-LV is designed for larger panels (315W and up), so for that inverter see the Callsun 450W panel.
Buy NowAvailable in: US
Callsun 450W Bifacial Solar Panel (2-Pack)
Pairs with the APsystems EZ1-LV
A 2-pack of 450W N-type bifacial panels. One panel goes to each input on the APsystems EZ1-LV, using both of its independent MPPT channels for a 900W array that matches the inverter's 900W output. These panels are not compatible with the EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter or the STREAM Ultra. Both of those inverters cap each input at 14A, and this panel puts out 14.97A at its maximum power point, so it exceeds the rated input current. Check your mounting surface before ordering: each panel is 69.4 x 44.7 inches and weighs 54 lbs.
Buy NowAvailable in: US
IntegraRack IR-30 Ground Mount Frame
Durable ground mount for a yard array
A durable ground mount for anyone with yard space to spare. The aluminum frame sets a panel at a fixed 30° tilt, the right angle almost anywhere in the contiguous US, and stands up to serious wind and snow once anchored. No rails, augers, or concrete footings, and each frame goes together in about two minutes. The price is per frame, and you need one per panel plus one extra to start each row, so a two panel array takes three.
Buy NowAvailable in: US
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plug-in solar legal where I live?
Check the map to see if your state has passed a plug-in solar law. In states without a plug-in solar law, it may not be illegal to install plug-in solar, but you would likely run into obstacles from your utility, HOA, or apartment depending on where you live.
How much does a plug-in solar system cost?
Systems can cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Many factors can influence the price. Expect to pay more for a kit system vs a DIY system and systems that includes a battery. As the market matures and more states pass legislation, prices are expected to drop.
What's the difference between plug-in solar and rooftop solar?
Traditional rooftop solar requires permits, utility interconnection agreements, professional installation, and costs $10,000+. Plug-in solar is a small system you set up yourself, at a fraction of the cost.
What size systems are allowed?
Many bills follow Utah's standard of up to 1,200W per system. Colorado's bill allows up to 1,920W. Some states have different regulations based on the system size with smaller systems having fewer regulations.
Can my HOA, landlord, or utility block me from using one?
In states with enabling legislation, utilities cannot require formal interconnection agreements. Some states also prohibit HOAs or landlords from banning plug-in solar (e.g., Colorado), but landlord and HOA rules vary by state. Check your state's specific legislation. Without enabling legislation, utilities, landlords, and HOAs may have grounds to restrict use.
What is the UL 3700 certification?
UL 3700 is the first U.S. safety standard built specifically for plug-in solar. Published by UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) on December 11, 2025, it covers the key risks: electrical shock, fire, structural integrity, and safe interaction with your home's existing wiring. UL Solutions opened its testing and certification program for UL 3700 in January 2026, so manufacturers can now submit products for certification. Look for the UL 3700 mark as certified products become available.
Plug-In Solar Resources
Organizations and publications advancing plug-in solar access in the United States.
Bright Saver
Nonprofit on a mission to bring plug-in solar to the US. Provides model legislation, safety research, a white paper on the economics of plug-in solar, and an advocacy toolkit for residents and policymakers.
Visit Bright Saver ↗Solar United Neighbors
National nonprofit helping people go solar. Their plug-in solar resource page covers how the technology works, state-by-state savings estimates, and the UL 3700 safety standard.
Visit Solar United Neighbors ↗This Week in Solar
A weekly look at what's new in solar, brought to you by Exact Solar and hosted by Aaron Nichols.
Visit This Week in Solar ↗