Is balcony solar legal in your state? Plug-in solar laws, state by state
Plug-and-play solar rules are changing fast. We keep this living tracker updated so you can see where balcony solar is permitted, where it's moving, and what to check before you plug in.
Quick answer
As of July 2026, plug-in (balcony) solar is expressly legal and in effect in 7 states — Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. 3 more have signed laws that take effect later: California, Colorado, and Connecticut. Everywhere else there is no plug-in-specific statute, so legality depends on your utility and local electrical code.
- In effect now
- 7
- Signed — pending
- 3
- Advancing
- 8
Last reviewed: July 2026
The map at a glance
Green where plug-in solar is in effect, light green where it's signed but not yet live, yellow where it's advancing, red where it's been restricted or stalled, and white where there's been no action yet.
Latest updates
Notable bills, rulings, and pilots shaping plug-in solar across the country.
Gov. Newsom signs California's balcony solar law
Signed September 30, 2026, SB 868 lets households install plug-in solar up to 1,200W without the utility interconnection application. Equipment must meet the new UL 3700 safety standard; the law takes effect January 1, 2027 and sunsets in 2030 unless extended.
Read the full California update
Gov. Sherrill signs the Garden State Balcony Solar Act
Signed September 1, 2026, the law exempts plug-in solar devices up to 1,200W from utility interconnection and metering requirements, and blocks landlords, HOAs, and municipalities from prohibiting them or requiring permits for their use.
Read the full New Jersey updateCalifornia sends balcony solar bill to the governor
SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, cleared the legislature in August 2026 and now sits on Gov. Newsom's desk, who has 30 days to act. It caps systems at 1,200W, requires UL-certified equipment with automatic shutoff, and drops the utility interconnection agreement — with that exemption set to sunset Jan. 1, 2030.
Read the full California updateBoth chambers approve plug-in solar bill
The legislature unanimously passed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act on July 1, 2026, sending it to the governor.
Read the full New Jersey update
Senate passes energy bill with balcony solar
The state Senate included plug-in solar in an energy package on July 1, 2026, but it still must clear the House before becoming law.
Read the full Massachusetts update
Virginia's plug-in solar law takes effect
Signed by Gov. Spanberger in April, the law allowing systems up to 1,200W went live July 1, 2026 (a few trackers still list a Jan 2027 date).
Read the full Virginia updateWhere every state stands
Search or filter to find your state's current status.
Signed into law and live now — plug-in solar is expressly permitted under stated limits.
Signed into law, but provisions don't take effect until a future start date.
Passed the legislature awaiting the governor, or otherwise actively moving.
Current rules effectively prohibit or heavily limit plug-in installs without a permit.
No specific rules yet — legality depends on your utility and local code.
Alabama (AL)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific rules. Interconnection handled case-by-case by individual utilities.
No active legislation
Alaska (AK)
No ActionSmall-system rules vary widely by co-op. Confirm with your local utility first.
No active legislation
Arizona (AZ)
RestrictedEfforts to open a plug-in pathway have stalled; current rules restrict small-system use for now.
Restricted for now
Arkansas (AR)
No ActionNet-metering exists for permitted systems; plug-in path not yet defined.
No active legislation
California (CA)
Signed — pendingSB 868 (Sen. Scott Wiener) signed by Gov. Newsom on September 30, 2026 — the largest plug-in solar market in the country. Systems up to 1,200W can skip the utility interconnection application. Equipment must be certified to the new national safety standard (UL 3700), and some higher-wattage setups may need an electrician-installed dedicated outlet. Takes effect January 1, 2027; the law sunsets in 2030 unless lawmakers extend it.
Signed Sep 2026 — effective Jan 1, 2027
Colorado (CO)
Signed — pendingHB26-1007 signed May 7, 2026 — the most generous in the country at 1,920W, and it bars landlords and HOAs from blocking installs. Provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
Signed May 2026 — effective Jan 1, 2027
Connecticut (CT)
Signed — pendingHB 5340 / Public Act 26-127 signed late May 2026 — one device per household up to 1,200W. Takes effect October 1, 2026; regulator PURA still writing installation rules.
Signed May 2026 — effective Oct 1, 2026
Delaware (DE)
No ActionNet-metering available for permitted systems only.
No active legislation
Florida (FL)
No ActionPermits and licensed-installer rules currently apply to grid-tied systems.
No active legislation
Georgia (GA)
RestrictedUtility-specific interconnection with no plug-in carve-out; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
Hawaii (HI)
AdvancingHigh electricity prices drive interest; regulators exploring streamlined small systems.
PUC exploring options
Idaho (ID)
RestrictedNo plug-in pathway; utility interconnection terms restrict small-system use for now.
Restricted for now
Illinois (IL)
AdvancingClean-energy legislation active; advocates seeking plug-in provisions.
Advocacy underway
Indiana (IN)
RestrictedStandard interconnection with no plug-in framework; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
Iowa (IA)
No ActionPermitted distributed generation only at present.
No active legislation
Kansas (KS)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific rules in place.
No active legislation
Kentucky (KY)
No ActionNet-metering for permitted systems; plug-in undefined.
No active legislation
Louisiana (LA)
No ActionUtility-led interconnection; no carve-out yet.
No active legislation
Maine (ME)
In effectSigned April 2026, effective July 2026 (live now). Two tiers: systems ≤420W need no electrician and no utility notification; 420–1,200W require a licensed electrician.
In effect July 2026
Maryland (MD)
In effectHB 1532 (Utility RELIEF Act) signed May 12, 2026 with an emergency clause — effective immediately. Systems ≤391W are exempt from UL certification; >391W up to 1,200W need UL-certified equipment plus utility notification.
In effect May 2026
Massachusetts (MA)
AdvancingThe state Senate passed an energy bill including balcony solar on July 1, 2026, but it hasn't cleared both chambers yet — a step behind neighboring states.
Passed Senate Jul 2026
Michigan (MI)
No ActionStandard interconnection applies; no dedicated rules.
No active legislation
Minnesota (MN)
AdvancingSolar-forward policy; small-system simplification under consideration.
Under consideration
Mississippi (MS)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific framework.
No active legislation
Missouri (MO)
RestrictedPermitted systems only; plug-in small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
Montana (MT)
No ActionDepends on utility interconnection terms.
No active legislation
Nebraska (NE)
No ActionPublic-power state; rules vary by district.
No active legislation
Nevada (NV)
AdvancingSolar-friendly; advocates exploring small-system pathway.
Advocacy underway
New Hampshire (NH)
In effectGov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 540 into law on July 3, 2026, establishing a legal category for plug-in solar generation systems separate from traditional grid-tied solar. The law takes effect today, July 27, 2026, making New Hampshire one of a growing handful of states with an express plug-in solar pathway. Confirm current requirements with your utility before installing.
In effect July 27, 2026
New Jersey (NJ)
In effectGov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) on September 1, 2026. Qualifying plug-in devices up to 1,200W are exempt from utility interconnection and metering requirements, including certain fees, approvals, and equipment mandates. Landlords, HOAs, and similar entities can't broadly prohibit them, and municipalities can't ban them or require a permit for their use.
Signed Sept 1, 2026
New Mexico (NM)
RestrictedNo plug-in pathway yet; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
New York (NY)
AdvancingThe SUNNY Act (A.9111-C / S.8512-C) passed both chambers in late May 2026 and sits on Gov. Hochul's desk. Up to 1,200W. (Notably lacks explicit renter/HOA protections.)
Passed legislature — awaiting governor
North Carolina (NC)
No ActionPermitted interconnection only at present.
No active legislation
North Dakota (ND)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific rules.
No active legislation
Ohio (OH)
No ActionStandard interconnection applies.
No active legislation
Oklahoma (OK)
No ActionUtility-specific rules; no carve-out.
No active legislation
Oregon (OR)
RestrictedNo plug-in carve-out yet; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
Pennsylvania (PA)
RestrictedStandard interconnection with no plug-in framework; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
Rhode Island (RI)
AdvancingDistributed-generation friendly; reviewing small-system options.
Under review
South Carolina (SC)
No ActionPermitted systems only at present.
No active legislation
South Dakota (SD)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific rules.
No active legislation
Tennessee (TN)
No ActionUtility-led interconnection (TVA region).
No active legislation
Texas (TX)
AdvancingDeregulated market; advocates pushing simplified small-system rules.
Advocacy underway
Utah (UT)
In effectFirst state to legalize plug-in solar — HB 340 permits systems up to 1,200W with no interconnection, permit, or utility approval required.
Law in effect (2025)
Vermont (VT)
In effectGov. Phil Scott signed S.202 into law on June 16, 2026, making Vermont the 6th state to legalize plug-in solar. The law took effect July 1, 2026 (live now). Confirm system limits and any utility notification requirements before installing.
In effect July 1, 2026
Virginia (VA)
In effectSigned by Gov. Spanberger April 2026, up to 1,200W, effective July 1, 2026 (just went live). Caveat: the bill was initially returned for minor language tweaks and a few trackers still list a Jan 2027 date — confirm against the state legislature site if VA matters to you.
In effect July 1, 2026
Washington (WA)
RestrictedNo plug-in carve-out yet; small-system use is restricted for now.
Restricted for now
West Virginia (WV)
No ActionNo plug-in-specific rules.
No active legislation
Wisconsin (WI)
No ActionStandard interconnection applies.
No active legislation
Wyoming (WY)
RestrictedUtility interconnection terms restrict small-system plug-in use for now.
Restricted for now
This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Plug-in solar rules vary by state, utility, and local code, and they change often. Always confirm the current requirements with your utility and local authority before installing. Have a correction or update? Let us know.