THE QUESTION MOST BUYERS DON'T THINK TO ASK

Your kit can be certified and still not be legally protected where you live.

UL 3700 and state law answer two completely different questions. Here's what each one actually means.

UL 3700 certification

What it answers:

Is this product electrically safe?

UL 3700 is a safety standard developed by Underwriters Laboratories specifically for plug-in solar systems. A certified kit has been tested by an independent lab and confirmed to:

Shut off automatically when disconnected from the grid
Stop generating if the grid goes down (anti-islanding)
Not exceed safe output for a standard household circuit
Withstand outdoor weather conditions

UL 3700 certification applies to the product itself — everywhere. A certified kit is safe to use in every state.

The UL 3700 certification standard has been described by IEEE Spectrum as helping “address utility and regulator concerns” — the first US standard built specifically for plug-in solar.

Who determines it:

UL Solutions (independent testing lab)

What it does not tell you:

Whether it's legal to connect to the grid in your state

State law

What it answers:

Are you legally protected using it?

A state balcony solar law removes specific legal barriers that exist regardless of whether a product is certified:

Your landlord cannot prohibit a compliant installation
No utility interconnection agreement or approval is required
Your lease cannot be used to block a compliant system
You have legal standing if challenged

Without a state law, none of these protections exist — even if your product is fully certified. Your landlord can still say no. Your utility can still object. 8 states have passed these laws as of July 2026. More are advancing.

Who determines it:

Your state legislature

What it does not tell you:

Whether the product is safe — that's UL 3700's job

What this means for your situation

Signed state + certified kit

✓Safety: Certified safe

✓Legal: Fully protected

✓Landlord: Cannot say no

✓Utility: No approval needed

Sol Country saysYou're good to go. This is the intended scenario.

Non-signed state + certified kit

✓Safety: Certified safe

⚠Legal: Gray area

⚠Landlord: Can still say no

⚠Utility: Can still object

Sol Country saysThe product is safe. You don't have legal protection. Many people proceed anyway — know what you're accepting.

Homeowner + non-signed state + certified kit

✓Safety: Certified safe

⚠Legal: Gray area (no landlord concern but utility may object)

Sol Country saysLower risk than renting — no landlord to object. Utility objection is rare but possible. The NEC ambiguity remains.

Any state + uncertified kit

✗Safety: Not independently verified

✗Legal: Not compliant with state law requirements even in signed states

Sol Country saysDon't do this. Signed state laws require UL 3700 certification for the higher wattage tier. An uncertified kit is not legally compliant AND not independently safety-verified.

Check your state right now

COMMON QUESTIONS

If my state hasn't signed, should I wait to buy?

That's a personal decision. The legal protection a signed law gives you is real and meaningful — especially if you rent. If you own your home and your utility is unlikely to notice or object, the practical risk is lower. Sol Country doesn't recommend one way or the other for non-signed states — we just want you to know the difference before deciding.

Does UL 3700 certification make it legal anywhere?

No. Certification and legality are determined by completely different authorities — UL Solutions for the safety standard, your state legislature for the legal framework. A certified product is safe in every state. It's legally protected only in signed states.

What about states where the bill has passed but not yet taken effect?

Connecticut (RRES successor program begins July 1, 2026; portable solar device protections take effect October 1, 2026) and Virginia (Jan 1, 2027) have signed laws with future effective dates. The law exists — but the protection doesn't apply until the effective date. Connecticut's bill does not address landlord or HOA restrictions. Technically the gray area continues until the effective date, though in practice enforcement before an effective date is very unlikely.

Does any state let me skip UL certification?

Maryland comes closest. HB 1532 exempts portable systems with a maximum output of no more than 391W from UL (or equivalent lab) product listing provisions that would require alterations to the building's premises, wiring, or electrical panels. A single small panel under 391W total output is the easiest legal path in Maryland — no utility notification either. At 391W and above, UL certification is required and you must notify your utility before installing. Worth noting: the same bill defines a portable system as one certified by UL or an equivalent lab, so the exemption is narrower than "no UL needed." Sol Country only recommends UL 3700 certified products regardless of size, but Maryland renters with one small panel should know the exemption exists. Source: enrolled text of Maryland HB 1532, 2026 Regular Session.

Is CraftStrom UL 3700 certified?

CraftStrom (UL certified — Sol Country is verifying the specific certification level against UL 3700 system requirements. Check craftstrom.com for current certification documentation.) Some sources describe CraftStrom as ETL listed to UL 1741 and IEEE 1547, which is component-level certification, not the UL 3700 system standard. As of August 2026 we have not confirmed that any complete consumer kit holds full system-level UL 3700 certification in the US. This note is temporary and will be removed once CraftStrom confirms directly.

Check my state →

By The Sol Country Team·Last reviewed: August 2026·Editorial standards

Sources

Primary sources for this article

Sol Country reviews these sources on a rolling basis. See our editorial standards for how we source and update data.