Connecticut
⏳ Enacted — effective Oct 1, 2026Updated June 14, 2026Plug-In Solar Legal Guide
Connecticut has some of the highest electricity rates in the US (~$0.24/kWh), making payback periods for plug-in solar very attractive. Gov. Ned Lamont signed HB 5340, an omnibus 2026 solar bill, on June 4, 2026. It legalizes one plug-in 'balcony solar' device per household up to 1,200W, with no utility interconnection approval, fees, or added equipment required, provided it meets UL/national safety standards and auto-shuts-off during outages. The plug-in provisions take effect October 1, 2026. The law also streamlines residential solar permitting and extends Renewable Energy Solutions programs through 2035.
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.
Payback Calculator
Pre-filled with Connecticut's average rate ($0.240/kWh) and 4.4 daily peak sun hours. Adjust sliders to match your situation.
Best-fit kits for Connecticut
sorted by your payback periodCraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit
400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter.
US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit
Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking.
PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit
Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold 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.
Year-by-year table
| Year | kWh Used | Rate | Savings | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 655 | $0.240 | $157 | $157 |
| 2 | 652 | $0.254 | $166 | $323 |
| 3 | 649 | $0.270 | $175 | $498 |
| 4 | 645 | $0.286 | $185 | $683 |
| 5 | 642 | $0.303 | $195 | $877 |
| 6 | 639 | $0.321 | $205 | $1,082 |
| 7Paid off | 636 | $0.340 | $216 | $1,299 |
| 8 | 633 | $0.361 | $228 | $1,527 |
| 9 | 629 | $0.383 | $241 | $1,768 |
| 10 | 626 | $0.405 | $254 | $2,022 |
| 11 | 623 | $0.430 | $268 | $2,290 |
| 12 | 620 | $0.456 | $283 | $2,572 |
| 13 | 617 | $0.483 | $298 | $2,870 |
| 14 | 614 | $0.512 | $314 | $3,185 |
| 15 | 611 | $0.543 | $331 | $3,516 |
| 16 | 608 | $0.575 | $350 | $3,866 |
| 17 | 605 | $0.610 | $369 | $4,234 |
| 18 | 602 | $0.646 | $389 | $4,623 |
| 19 | 599 | $0.685 | $410 | $5,033 |
| 20 | 596 | $0.726 | $433 | $5,466 |
| 21 | 593 | $0.770 | $456 | $5,922 |
| 22 | 590 | $0.816 | $481 | $6,403 |
| 23 | 587 | $0.865 | $508 | $6,911 |
| 24 | 584 | $0.917 | $535 | $7,446 |
| 25 | 581 | $0.972 | $565 | $8,011 |
Law Summary
Last verified June 14, 2026·pv magazine USA — Gov. Lamont signs Connecticut's 2026 omnibus solar bill
Verify with your state utility commission before installing. FAQ →
Electricity Cost Trend
↑ 6.0%/yr avg — ModerateHOA & Landlord Rules
The #1 real-world blocker for renters & condo ownersConnecticut's 2023 solar access law prevents HOAs from banning solar installations on detached single-family homes outright and requires associations to act on applications within set timeframes, though HOAs may still adopt reasonable rules on size and placement. HB 5340 (2026) goes further by directly authorizing plug-in solar devices statewide, which would reduce HOA discretion specifically over these small 1,200W devices once effective.
HB 5340's plug-in solar provisions are aimed substantially at renters, allowing one 1,200W plug-in device per household without a utility interconnection agreement; this would remove a major barrier renters previously faced, though landlords may retain authority over physical modifications to balconies or exteriors via lease terms.
Utility: Eversource Energy
Eversource and United Illuminating both participate in Connecticut's Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program, offering up to 20 years of net metering for qualifying residential systems. Standard interconnection agreements are required for grid-tied systems, and new residential systems interconnecting on or after January 1, 2026 face a new 3.25 cents/kWh non-bypassable charge on exported energy. Under HB 5340, plug-in devices up to 1,200W are explicitly exempted from utility interconnection requirements, approval, and fees - a notable carve-out from the utilities' normal process.