Sol Country

Free · State-specific · Updated 2026

Landlord & HOA notification
letter generator

Generate a respectful, statute-accurate letter that cites your state’s balcony solar law by bill and effective date. Renter mode notifies your landlord or HOA. Landlord mode sets clear guidelines for your tenants.

Set clear balcony solar guidelines for your tenants.

Your details

This is an informational template, not legal advice. Sol Country is not a law firm. Review your lease and consult an attorney for your specific situation.

Live preview

October 28, 2026

Dear Resident,

I'm writing to share our building's guidelines for tenants who wish to install plug-in balcony solar. Connecticut law protects this right, and I want to set clear, reasonable expectations that keep our building safe and consistent.

Connecticut HB 5340 (Public Act 26-127) takes effect October 1, 2026 and permits plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200W. These guidelines apply to tenants who install qualifying systems.

I may set reasonable placement and aesthetic rules and require documentation of UL 3700 / UL 1741 SB certification. I may not prohibit qualifying systems.

Please share the equipment spec sheet, UL certification documentation, and your planned mounting method at least 30 days before installation.

Applicable to tenants planning systems in the  range, mounted at a balcony railing. Kits use UL-listed components; UL 3700 system certification pending across the category (first certifications expected late 2026).

If you plan to install, please contact the property office at least 30 days in advance with the manufacturer specification sheet, UL certification documentation, and photos of your planned mounting method.

Thank you,
[Your name / property manager]

---
This is an informational template, not legal advice. Sol Country is not a law firm. Review your lease and consult an attorney for your specific situation.
Get the clean version
Email me my letter (PDF attached)
This is an informational template, not legal advice. Sol Country is not a law firm. Review your lease and consult an attorney for your specific situation.

Renters’ rights, by state

What each signed state guarantees

SB 868 — the Plug and Play Solar Act · Effective January 1, 2027

California

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 868 — the Plug and Play Solar Act — on September 30, 2026. California is the 10th state to sign a balcony solar law. The law covers systems up to 1,200W, removes utility interconnection approval, and takes effect January 1, 2027.

  • • Systems up to 1,200W covered statewide - the Plug and Play Solar Act
  • • No interconnection agreement required - plug in without utility approval through January 1, 2030
  • • Utilities may only require a simple notification form - no fees, no inspection
Renter letter for California →Landlord version →
HB26-1007 · Effective January 1, 2027

Colorado

First US state to pass explicit plug-in balcony solar legislation.

  • • Plug-in solar systems up to 395W permitted without permit or electrician
  • • Systems up to 1,920W permitted with a licensed electrician and dedicated circuit
  • • No utility interconnection agreement required for compliant kits
Renter letter for Colorado →Landlord version →
HB 5340 / Public Act 26-127 · Effective Oct 1, 2026 (portable devices) · Jul 1, 2026 (RRES successor)

Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont signed HB 5340 (Public Act 26-127) into law on June 4, 2026. The bill's portable-solar device provisions (Section 9) take effect October 1, 2026, making plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200W legal statewide without utility approval. The broader RRES successor program proceeding begins July 1, 2026. At $0.286/kWh, Connecticut has the second-highest electricity rate in the continental US - an 800W system saves ~$195/year, payback under 4 years.

  • • Plug-in solar systems up to 1,200W legal statewide effective October 1, 2026
  • • No utility approval, interconnection agreement, or fees required for portable solar devices
  • • PURA must initiate RRES successor program proceeding by July 1, 2026
Renter letter for Connecticut →Landlord version →
LD 1730 · Effective Jul 15, 2026

Maine

LD 1730 signed April 6, 2026 by Governor Janet Mills. Takes effect ~July 15, 2026 (90 days after legislature adjourns).

  • • 420W no-permit tier; up to 1,200W with certified electrician
  • • Tenant rights protections
  • • PUC required to publish standard installation guide
Renter letter for Maine →Landlord version →
HB 1532 · Effective Effective now

Maryland

Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532 (Utility RELIEF Act) on May 12, 2026 with an emergency clause - plug-in solar is legal in Maryland today. Maryland is the 5th state to legalize plug-in solar.

  • • Systems up to 1,200W legal for renters and homeowners statewide
  • • Emergency clause - effective immediately on Governor Moore's May 12, 2026 signing
  • • 391W and under: no UL certification required, no utility notification needed
Renter letter for Maryland →Landlord version →
SB 540 · Effective

New Hampshire

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed SB 540 into law on July 3, 2026 - making New Hampshire the 8th state to legalize plug-in balcony solar. Systems up to 1,200W are legal statewide.

  • • Plug-in solar systems up to 1,200W legal statewide
  • • No utility approval or interconnection agreement required
  • • UL-certified equipment required (UL 1741 or UL 3700)
Renter letter for New Hampshire →Landlord version →
Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) · P.L.2026, c.82 · Effective March 1, 2027

New Jersey

Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836), officially P.L.2026, c.82, on September 1, 2026. New Jersey is the 9th state to sign a balcony solar law. It takes effect March 1, 2027 and allows systems up to 1,200W with no utility notification, registration, approval, or fees.

  • • Systems up to 1,200W legal statewide beginning March 1, 2027
  • • No utility notification, registration, approval, or fees required - one of only two signed states with zero utility involvement (the other is Utah)
  • • Landlords, HOAs, and municipalities cannot prohibit compliant systems or require local permits
Renter letter for New Jersey →Landlord version →
HB340 · Effective May 2025

Utah

Second state to pass plug-in solar law; effective spring 2025.

  • • Plug-in solar up to 1.2kW exempted from interconnection
  • • Multi-family housing explicitly included
  • • UL 1741 SB compliance required
Renter letter for Utah →Landlord version →
S.202 · Effective Jul 1, 2026

Vermont

Governor Phil Scott signed S.202 into law on June 16, 2026 - making Vermont the 7th state to legalize plug-in balcony solar. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. At ~$0.210/kWh, an 800W system saves ~$182/year, payback under 4 years.

  • • Plug-in solar systems up to 1,200W legal statewide effective July 1, 2026
  • • No utility approval or interconnection agreement required
  • • Renter protections explicit - landlords and HOAs cannot prohibit compliant installations
Renter letter for Vermont →Landlord version →
HB395 · Effective Jul 1, 2026 (partial) · Jan 1, 2027 (renter protections)

Virginia

Signed March 2026. HB395 takes effect in two stages: certain provisions took effect July 1, 2026, and the consumer-facing provisions - including the renter protections and the prohibition on landlords saying no - take effect January 1, 2027.

  • • Plug-in solar up to 1.0kW permitted
  • • Statewide preemption - no local-only bans
  • • Utility cannot deny unless legitimate safety concern
Renter letter for Virginia →Landlord version →