Balcony Solar 101

Own your
energy.

Plug-in solar panels for renters and apartment dwellers. No installation, no electrician, no landlord approval in most cases. Legal in 6 states and advancing in 21 more.

6 StatesLaws signed
1,920WColorado limit
How it worksLegal statusSafetySavingsvs Community solarFAQ
How it works

Plug in.
Own your output.

A balcony solar panel connects to a standard outlet in your home. The microinverter converts sunlight to electricity that offsets what you pull from the grid — silently, automatically, every sunny day.

Step 01
Solar panel generates power
Sunlight hits the panel and generates DC electricity. Most kits are 395W–1,200W.
Step 02
Microinverter converts it
The included microinverter converts DC to AC electricity matching your home's current.
Step 03
Electricity enters your circuits
Power flows directly into your home's circuits — offsetting what you'd buy from your utility.
Step 04
Your meter slows down
You use less grid electricity. Your utility bill drops. The panel pays for itself over time.
Safety certification

The safety standard
that changed everything.

On January 8, 2026, UL Solutions launched UL 3700 — the first dedicated American safety standard for plug-in solar. This is the certification that convinced utilities and state legislatures that balcony solar is safe to allow.

Important: Solar panels alone do not provide backup power
All certified solar systems automatically shut off when the grid goes down — by design. This protects utility workers repairing lines. It is a safety feature, not a flaw. Backup power requires solar PLUS a battery.
UL 3700
Auto power cut-off
Plug prongs go dead in under 1 second when disconnected — no shock risk even in direct sun.
UL 3700
Anti-islanding
System automatically shuts down during grid outages — protecting utility workers on the line.
UL 3700
Overload prevention
Prevents solar input from overloading your home's circuits.
UL 3700
Weatherproofing
Certified outdoor durability for wind, rain, and UV exposure.
Your savings

See the real
number for your
address.

Sol Country calculates your exact savings using NREL satellite data for your specific location and your utility's real rate — not a national average.

Denver, CO800W$90/yr
New York, NY800W$120/yr
Connecticut800W$195/yr
Denver, CO — Example
$90/year
System800W
Rate$0.133/kWh (Xcel)
Annual output~676 kWh
Self-consumption85%
Balcony solar vs community solar

Which one is
right for you?

FeatureBalcony SolarCommunity Solar
Upfront cost$600–2,200$0
Own itYesNo
Works in apartmentsIn legal statesYes everywhere
SetupOne afternoonOne online form
Savings15–30%5–15%
Cancel anytimeN/A (you own it)Yes
Best forCustomers who can installEveryone else
Choose balcony solar if:
Your state has passed a law
You want to own your panel
You want higher long-term savings
You have a south-facing balcony
Choose community solar if:
You can't install anything
You want $0 upfront today
Your state has no law yet
You move frequently
Find My Power checks both options for your address →
Common questions

Everything you
need to know.

Is balcony solar legal in my state?+
Six states have signed laws: Colorado, Maryland, Maine, Virginia, Utah, Vermont, and (most recently) several more. Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York have bills awaiting governor signatures. California is advancing through the legislature. Sol Country's tracker shows your exact state status.
Do I need landlord permission?+
How much will I save?+
What is UL 3700?+
Will my panel power my home during an outage?+
How long is the payback period?+
Can I take the panel when I move?+
What's the difference between balcony and rooftop solar?+
The future of solar

Better panels
are coming.
Buy now or wait?

Perovskite-silicon tandem panels are real and coming — lab efficiency at 33.9% vs today's silicon at 22%. Residential availability is most likely 2027–2028.

If you wait until 2028
Higher efficiency panels available
2 years of savings lost ($126–256)
Colorado law already in effect
If you buy today
Start saving immediately
Current panels 90%+ recyclable
Payback period starts today
Sol Country notifies you when perovskite kits arrive
Sol Country's honest take: buy now, upgrade when perovskite has 25-year warranties. Two years waiting costs two years of savings.

See what's legal
at your address.

Sol Country checks 14 data sources and shows every available option — including your state's exact wattage limit and effective date.

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