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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →
Pending legislationUpdated June 14, 2026

Coming Soon — California is considering plug-in solar legislation

The Plug Into the Sun Act. Would permit residential plug-in solar systems up to 1,200W to connect to standard outlets without utility approval, fees, or interconnection requirements. Passed the full Senate 35-1 on May 20, 2026, and cleared the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee on June 10, 2026.

Get notified when California goes legal

We track every vote. One email when this bill passes — no spam.

🔋

Solar you can use in California today, while you wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal everywhere, including California, right now.

See solar backup options →

Bill Status

Bill number
SB 868
Expected vote
Pending in Assembly Appropriations Committee; must pass Assembly by August 31, 2026
Proposed watt cap
1200W AC
As written in current bill text — subject to amendment
Primary utility
PG&E / SCE / SDG&E

Pending bill information may change as legislation advances. Bill text, watt caps, and effective dates are subject to amendment or failure. This is not legal advice.

What to Expect If This Passes

🔌

Up to 1200W, no permit

The bill as drafted would allow systems up to 1200W AC connected to a standard household outlet — no permit, no utility approval required.

⚡

No net metering

The bill does not include net metering for plug-in systems. Excess generation would not be credited. Self-consumption maximization is key.

🏠

Renters included

The bill does not restrict installation to homeowners. Renters would still need landlord consent, but no permanent installation is required.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 5.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 28% over the past 5 years
From $0.243/kWh in 2021 → $0.310/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
5.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.243
2021
$0.255
2022
$0.268
2023
$0.281
2024
$0.295
2025
$0.310
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.823/kWh
at 5.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$4,050
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

Estimated Savings Preview

Based on California's $0.310/kWh avg. rate and 5.5 sun hours/day. Use this to plan — not to make a purchase yet.

Best-fit kits for California

sorted by your payback period
4yr payback~$5,109 lifetime savings

CraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit

400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter.

Output
400W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
ETLUL1741
$530~$133/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
4yr payback~$10,449 lifetime savings

US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit

Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking.

Output
810W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 12 yr
UL1741IEEE1547
$969~$242/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
4yr payback~$10,278 lifetime savings

PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit

Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold on Amazon.

Output
800W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
UL1741
$999~$250/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →

Payback estimates use your current slider settings with each product's wattage and price. We earn an affiliate commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Default: 5.5h/day (California avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W1200W
60%
30%100%
$0.310/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
819 kWh
68 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$254
$21/mo
Payback Period
5 yrs
by year 5
25-Year Savings
$11,277
net $10,077
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my California HOA stop me from installing solar panels?
No. The Solar Rights Act prohibits HOAs from banning solar systems outright and from rejecting them for aesthetic reasons alone. HOAs can only impose reasonable placement restrictions that don't significantly raise costs or reduce efficiency, and must respond to applications within 45 days.
Does California's Solar Rights Act cover small plug-in or balcony solar devices?
Not explicitly yet. The Act was written with rooftop systems in mind. SB 868, currently pending in the Assembly, would create specific rules for plug-in devices up to 1,200W, exempting them from utility interconnection approval and fees.
How does NEM 3.0 affect a small plug-in solar setup?
NEM 3.0 governs grid-tied systems that formally interconnect and export power, with reduced export credit values. A small plug-in device that simply offsets your own household usage rather than exporting to the grid generally wouldn't need to participate in NEM at all, which is part of the rationale behind SB 868.
Is plug-in solar currently legal to use in California?
There's no law explicitly banning small UL-listed plug-in solar devices used safely indoors or for direct appliance charging, but using one connected to household wiring without utility interconnection approval exists in a legal gray area. SB 868 aims to resolve this ambiguity by creating an explicit legal pathway.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor the California legislature and will email you the moment SB 868 is signed into law or fails. No spam — one email per bill outcome.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.