Utah
Legalized balcony solar in spring 2025 — the state that started it all.
- 1,200W system limit
- EcoFlow launched its STREAM system here first
Plug-in & balcony solar · USA
Your state finally lets you plug in the sun.
Ten states have passed laws clearing the way for plug-in solar — small systems you plug into a regular outlet to shave your electric bill, no roof crew required. Find your state's rules, compare the kits actually worth buying, and see which backup-power options work in all 50 states.
Updated October 14, 2026New York & Massachusetts bills awaiting governors' signatures
The 10-state guide
Each state wrote its own version. Most cap systems around 1,200 watts, ban utility fees and permit requirements for compliant kits, and limit what landlords and HOAs can block. Effective dates vary — check the date before you buy.
Jan 1
2027 is the big switch-on date
California, Colorado, and New Hampshire's laws all take effect January 1, 2027, and New Jersey follows March 1. Compliant, certified kits are still scarce — most manufacturers are targeting spring 2027.
Virginia
Bipartisan bill signed into law in April 2026.
- Small plug-in systems cleared for use
- Utility restrictions limited
Maine
LD 1730 — third state to pass a plug-in solar law.
- Up to 1,200W; over 420W needs a licensed electrician + utility notice
- 420W or less: DIY, no notice required
- First law to name the UL 3700 safety standard
Vermont
Act 149 (S.202) — some of the cleanest rules in the country.
- Up to 1,200W per meter, smart-meter connection
- No interconnection agreement, no utility fees, no extra equipment
Connecticut
Balcony solar rules under Public Act 26-127.
- "Portable solar" provisions in the 2026 omnibus solar bill
- State building and fire codes under review for safe use
Maryland
Utility RELIEF Act (Chapter 353), signed May 12, 2026.
- Portable systems up to 1,200W per meter
- Notify your utility — no prior approval, no fees
Colorado
Law enacted May 2026.
- Plug-in systems cleared statewide from Jan 1
- Sponsor: falling costs as more states adopt
New Hampshire
SB 540, signed July 2, 2026 by Gov. Kelly Ayotte.
- Up to 1.2 kW "portable solar generation devices"
- Exempt from utility interconnection; anti-islanding shutoff required
- Building code updates keyed to the finished UL 3700 standard
California
SB 868 — the biggest market of them all.
- 1,200W cap, UL 3700 certification required
- Anti-backfeed protection during outages
- No-permit, no-fee pathway through 2029
New Jersey
Garden State Balcony Solar Act.
- Up to 1,200W exempt from utility fees, approvals, and equipment mandates
- Landlords and HOAs can't broadly prohibit; cities can't require permits
New York
The SUNNY Act passed the legislature in May 2026 and awaits the governor's signature. Could be #11.
Massachusetts
A balcony solar bill has passed the legislature and sits on the governor's desk.
Kits worth buying
Certified plug-in kits are still scarce — most compliant models are expected around spring 2027. These are the platforms closest to ready, ranked on certification progress, not hype.
EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter
The clearest near-term platform: 1,200W AC output, three MPPTs, a 10-year warranty, app monitoring, and manufacturer-stated UL 1741 and anti-islanding protection. Launched first in Utah.
Best near-ready platform1,200W ACNo battery
$369Microinverter only · $799 with 400W panels
Check price ↗Prices are snapshots — verify on the product page.
Mango Power S
A complete 1,200W kit — four 300W panels, four microinverters, smart gateway — certified by Intertek to UL 3700 in September 2026. The best-positioned kit for California's rules on paper; Mango hasn't marketed it as California-compliant outright yet.
UL 3700 certifiedExactly 1,200WAnti-backflow control
$2,399Seen at Shop Solar Kits · $2,698 direct
No affiliate link yet — we're working on it.Four panels + microinverters + gateway in one box.
Bright Saver
A nonprofit selling balcony kits at cost — 180W panels for $285, 360W for $414. The advocacy group behind much of the state legislation. Note: they can't yet sell into some states whose safety certifications no product meets.
Nonprofit · at costAdvocacy-backed
$285180W panel kit · $414 for 360W
See kits ↗No affiliate relationship — linked because it's useful.
Kit comparison
The three platforms closest to the coming state rules, side by side.
| Kit | System size | Certification | Price seen | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200W AC panels sold separately or bundled | UL 1741 stated; anti-islanding | $369 / $799 w/ panels | Renters starting small in any of the 10 states |
| Mango Power S | 1,200W (4×300W panels) | UL 3700 (Intertek, Sep 2026) | $2,399–$2,698 | One-box complete kit; strongest CA positioning |
| Bright Saver | 180W / 360W kits | Varies by kit | $285 / $414 | Budget entry; supports the advocacy nonprofit |
Not in one of the 10? These work in all 50 states.
Plug-in solar that feeds your wall outlet is state-regulated. Portable power stations aren't — they store power for outages, camping, and off-grid use, and you can buy them anywhere in the country. These companies make both, so your options don't end at your state line.
FLAGSHIP VALUE
Bluetti Elite 200 V2
2,073.6Wh capacity, 2,600W output, 6,000 cycles to 80% — the home-backup workhorse. Was $799 on sale (list $1,199).
MID-TIER PICK
Bluetti AC180
1,152Wh capacity, 1,800W output, 3,500+ cycles. The best capacity-per-dollar of the bunch — an easy entry into stored solar.
NEWEST COMPACT
Bluetti Elite 100 V2
1,024Wh capacity, 1,800W output, 4,000 cycles. Bluetti's newest compact model — pair it with portable panels for a go-anywhere setup.
ECOFLOW BACKUP
EcoFlow DELTA series
EcoFlow's whole lineup — DELTA power stations, portable panels, and the STREAM microinverter — earns the same affiliate rate no matter which product a reader buys. Browse everything they make.
HOW IT WORKS
Why these work everywhere
A power station charges from the wall or portable panels and powers your devices directly — it never feeds electricity back into your home's wiring, so state plug-in solar laws don't apply to it.
HEADS UP
More brands coming
We're in the pipeline with Jackery, Anker Solix, and others. Their product picks will appear here as approvals land — check back.
Plug-in solar, in plain English
What it is, what it isn't, and why 2027 is the year it goes mainstream.
1
Panels + a microinverter + a plug
A small set of solar panels feeds a microinverter, which plugs into a regular outlet. The power offsets what your home pulls from the grid during the day — no roof crew, no permits in the 10 states.
2
Safety is the whole ballgame
Systems must shut off in a power outage (anti-islanding) so they don't endanger line workers. The new UL 3700 standard is the certification states are converging on — Maine named it first.
3
Renters finally get a seat
Most state laws limit what landlords and HOAs can block. For the first time, apartment dwellers can generate their own power without owning a roof.
FAQ
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Is plug-in solar legal in my state?
If you're in Utah, Virginia, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, New Hampshire, California, or New Jersey — yes, with rules that vary by state (see the guide above). New York and Massachusetts bills are awaiting governors' signatures. Everywhere else, it's still a legal gray area: check with your utility before plugging anything into the grid.
Can I just buy one of these kits today?
You can buy the hardware, but truly certified plug-in kits are scarce. Most state laws take effect in 2027 and manufacturers are targeting spring 2027 for compliant models. If you buy early, confirm the exact model's certifications against your state's requirements first.
Do I need my landlord's permission?
Most of the 10 state laws limit blanket bans by landlords and HOAs, but they don't eliminate all restrictions — and mounting anything on a building still involves the property owner. Read your state's specific provisions and your lease.
Do these links cost me more?
No. Some product links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, the retailer pays us a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rankings, which are based on certifications and readiness.
What's the difference between plug-in solar and a power station?
Plug-in solar feeds power into your home's wiring through an outlet — that's what the 10 state laws regulate. A power station is a big battery: it charges from the wall or portable panels and powers devices directly, never touching your home wiring. Power stations work in all 50 states with no legal gray area.
How this site is funded
We're an independent review site. When you buy through a tracked link, the retailer pays us a commission — your price doesn't change. Here's exactly where we stand with each brand.
1
Apply to each brand's program
Approval is not automatic. We're approved with EcoFlow and Bluetti; Jackery, Anker Solix, Mango Power, and others are pending.
2
Replace ordinary merchant links after approval
Generate trackable deep links inside the approved affiliate network, then replace each corresponding product URL without changing the editorial ranking.
3
Disclose beside commercial content
Keep the disclosure clear and close to recommendations. Record the program, destination URL, commission terms, and the date each link was checked.
Current link status: EcoFlow and Bluetti product links carry affiliate tracking (publisher ID 3116705); all other product links on this page are ordinary merchant links with no tracking ID installed.