Plug-in solar law passed
California balcony solar law
Published by ChoiscoLast verified
Quick answer
Yes, starting January 1, 2027. California's SB 868 lets you plug certified solar of up to 1,200 watts per home into an outlet with no utility approval and no fees; your utility may ask you to fill in a short online registration. The device must be certified as a plug-in solar system by UL or an equivalent lab.
The rules, line by line
Each line shows what we checked and where. Labels explained in our methodology.
- Law
- SB 868 (Statutes of 2026, chapter 985), "Electricity: portable solar generation devices"Verified
- Signed
- September 30, 2026Verified
- In effect
- January 1, 2027Reported
The law has no effective-date clause; California's default rule starts regular laws on January 1 of the next year. The utility exemptions expire January 1, 2030 unless extended.
Source: pv magazine USA, Oct. 1, 2026 - Maximum size
- 1,200 W maximum aggregated AC output per dwellingVerified
- Utility approval or notice
- No approval; exempt from all interconnection requirements. The utility may require a simple online registration of the address, make, model and size.Verified
- Fees
- None for the device or the electricity it feeds into the buildingVerified
- Required certification
- Certified as a plug-in photovoltaic system by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory, with a certified anti-backfeed feature; must meet the National Electrical Code and California Electrical Code. UL 3700 is not named, but this points to whole-system certification.Verified
- Outlet and wiring
- Connects through a receptacle; no voltage statedVerified
- Renters and landlords
- Nothing in the law. A lease can still restrict what you attach to a balcony.Verified
- HOAs
- Nothing in the law. HOA or condo rules may still restrict installation.Verified
- Pay for power sent to the grid
- None. The device must be intended to offset your own use.Verified
All facts above last checked Oct. 2, 2026.
Products that mention California
- Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit: Ships only to Utah, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey. Says it cannot ship to California yet, pending whole-system UL 3700 certification.
- APsystems EZ1 Microinverter: Promotes California's new law but does not say the EZ1 meets every California requirement
These are the makers' own statements; check each product against the requirements above. See the kit tracker.
Open questions we are tracking
- The utility exemptions end January 1, 2030 unless the Legislature extends them.
- From 2030, non-compliant plug-in devices may not be sold in California.
- No renter or HOA protections.
Sources
- Source: California SB 868, chaptered text (primary)
- Source: pv magazine USA, Oct. 1, 2026 (secondary)
Timeline
- Sept. 30, 2026
Governor signed SB 868.
Get California updates
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This page explains the law in plain English. Your utility, local codes, lease or HOA may add requirements. Estimate your savings with the calculator.