Independent U.S. guide to plug-in solar
A practical guide to plug-in solar in the United States. See what is legal in your state, estimate what a system could save you, and track products that meet U.S. requirements.
Last verified Oct. 2, 2026. Every fact is sourced and labeled.
California
SB 868, signed Sept. 30, 2026, allows up to 1,200 W per home with no utility approval or fees. The system must be certified as plug-in solar.
U.S. market
Utah went first in 2025. Nine more followed in 2026, most with a 1,200 W cap. New York passed a bill and awaits the governor.
Products
UL launched certification under UL 3700 in January 2026, and Hoymiles, APsystems and Mango Power have since announced UL 3700 results for their equipment.
Is it legal?
See your state's current plug-in solar rules: size limits, utility steps, certification, renters and HOAs.
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What will I save?
Estimate realistic output, how much your home actually uses, and the payback, hour by hour.
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Which kits qualify?
Compare U.S. products and what we could actually verify about their certification.
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State tracker
| State | Status | Summary | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Law passed | Law signed Sept. 30, 2026; starts Jan. 1, 2027. Up to 1,200 W per home; system must be certified as plug-in solar. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Colorado | Law passed | Law in effect Aug. 12, 2026. Highest U.S. cap: 1,920 W per address. HOA protections start Jan. 1, 2027. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Connecticut | Law passed | Law in effect Oct. 1, 2026. One device up to 1,200 W per meter. Warning: exports can be billed as usage. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Maine | Law passed | Law passed April 2026. Up to 420 W plugs in freely; 420 to 1,200 W needs a licensed electrician and utility notice. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Maryland | Law passed | Law in effect July 1, 2026. One system up to 1,200 W per meter; notify your utility before installing. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | Law passed | Law signed July 2026 (reported). Up to 1,200 W per metered customer. Start date not yet confirmed. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| New Jersey | Law passed | Law signed Sept. 1, 2026; starts about March 1, 2027. Up to 1,200 W per home. Renter and HOA protections. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Utah | Law passed | Law in effect since May 7, 2025. Up to 1,200 W into a standard 120 V outlet, no utility approval or fees. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Vermont | Law passed | Law in effect July 1, 2026. Up to 1,200 W per meter, UL 3700 required, smart meter needed. Renter and HOA protections. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Virginia | Law passed | Law starts Jan. 1, 2027. Up to 1,200 W per home; file a notice with your utility first. Larger landlords cannot ban it. | Oct. 2, 2026 |
Plus 1 state with a bill on the way: New York.
Product tracker
We track 7 plug-in solar products sold for U.S. outlets, from complete kits to microinverters and batteries, with prices, output and certification status side by side.
California requires whole-system plug-in certification from 2027. We flag each kit as its certifier listing is confirmed.
See the kit trackerGet notified when a kit qualifies in your state
One email when a qualifying kit or a new law reaches your state. No newsletter.
How we research balcony solar
Balcony solar rules are changing quickly. We verify laws against primary documents, certification claims against safety records, and product specifications against manufacturer documentation. If something has not been independently verified, we tell you.
What changed
Get an alert when laws change or a qualifying system becomes available. We only email when something changes for your state.