How balcony solar works
A panel on your balcony or patio generates electricity and feeds it into your home through a standard wall outlet. Your meter runs slower. Your bill goes down.
3 min readRead the How balcony solar works guide →
SOL COUNTRY LEARN
Know your options.
Own your power.
ENERGY EDUCATION
Everything you need to know about owning your power.
Sol Country's guides explain how each energy path works, what it costs, what it saves, and what incentives are available at your address. Start with the path that fits your situation — or take the Find My Power quiz and we'll tell you.
NEW · Colorado Jan 1, 2027
The complete guide to Colorado's balcony solar law
HB26-1007 takes effect January 1, 2027. Everything Colorado renters and homeowners need to know — what's legal, what's required, what it costs, and what it saves.
Read the guide →Balcony solar
How plug-in solar works, where it's legal, and what it saves
Where it's legal
Colorado, Utah, Maine, Virginia, and Vermont have all passed balcony solar laws. California SB 868 is advancing through the full legislature after a 14-0 committee vote.
2 min readRead the Where it's legal guide →
What it costs and saves
A 395W kit costs $599–$899 installed. At Xcel's current rate, it saves $90–$120/year. Payback: 5–7 years.
4 min readRead the What it costs and saves guide →
4M+
Balcony solar systems in Germany
6 states
Laws passed in 2025–2026
$599
Starting price for a 395W kit
Community solar
Subscribe to a local farm, get bill credits
What community solar is
A community solar subscription connects you to a local solar farm. The farm generates electricity. You get credit on your utility bill. No equipment. No installation.
2 min readRead the What community solar is guide →
How to find a program
Sol Country checks 44 states for available community solar programs. Enter your address and we show you every program in your area.
2 min readRead the How to find a program guide →
What to watch out for
Some programs have long contract terms or early cancellation fees. Sol Country explains every program's terms before you subscribe.
3 min readRead the What to watch out for guide →
44 states
Community solar available
$0
Upfront cost
10–15%
Average bill reduction
OWN YOUR ROOF
For homeowners who want
the biggest bill offset.
Rooftop solar
For homeowners — offset 50–100% of your bill
Is your roof right for solar?
South-facing roofs with minimal shading produce the most energy. Sol Country's quiz uses Google Solar API to assess your specific roof's potential.
Understanding solar quotes
A rooftop system costs $15,000–$30,000 before incentives. Learn what to compare between quotes and what questions to ask your installer.
Financing options
Cash purchase, solar loans, leases, and PPAs all have different financial profiles. Sol Country explains each and which makes sense for your situation.
4 min readRead the Financing options guide →
50–100%
Of bill offset possible
$15K–$30K
Typical system cost
25–30 years
Panel lifespan
HVAC + Batteries
Stack savings on top of your solar path
Heat pumps explained
A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it — making it 2–4x more efficient than a gas furnace. Combined with solar, you heat and cool your home on sunlight.
4 min readRead the Heat pumps explained guide →
Home battery storage
A home battery stores your solar generation, optimizes TOU rates, and enrolls in VPP programs that pay you to be available to the grid.
4 min readRead the Home battery storage guide →
EV charging optimization
Charging at home is 2–3x cheaper than gas. With solar and a TOU plan, your effective charging cost approaches zero.
40–60%
Heat pump heating savings vs gas
$75–$850
Annual VPP income from a battery
2–3×
Cheaper than gas for EV charging
COMPARE EVERYTHING
Five paths. One honest table.
Compare all paths
Which energy path is right for your situation?
| Path | Best for | Upfront cost | Annual savings | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balcony solar | Renters with a balcony or patio | $599–$2,399 | $90–$400/yr | CO, UT, ME, VA, VT |
| Community solar | Anyone with a utility bill | $0 | $120–$200/yr | 44 states |
| Rooftop solar | Homeowners with a suitable roof | $15K–$30K | $1,200–$2,400/yr | All 50 states |
| Portable power | Everyone — no laws needed | $399–$2,799 | $75–$200/yr | All 50 states |
| HVAC + Battery | Gas / propane customers | $2,000–$12,000 | $600–$2,200/yr | Available everywhere |
State law guides
What's legal, what's advancing, and what to expect
Colorado
HB26-1007 effective January 1, 2027. Up to 1,920W.
Colorado guide →Utah
HB 340 effective March 2025. Up to 1,200W.
Utah guide →Maine
LD 1730 effective July 15, 2026. Up to 1,200W with electrician.
Maine guide →Virginia
HB/SB 2026 effective March 2026. Up to 1,200W.
Virginia guide →Vermont
S.26 effective January 28, 2026. Up to 400W.
Vermont guide →California
SB 868 advancing through full legislature — committee approved 14-0. Up to 1,200W proposed.
California guide →New York
SUNNY Act introduced in 2026 session.
New York guide →Illinois
Sen. Ventura's plug-in solar bill introduced.
Illinois guide →READY WHEN YOU ARE
See your numbers.
Find My Power calculates your specific savings across every path — not national averages.
Find my power →