SB 868 — the Plug and Play Solar Act · Effective January 1, 2027
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
HB26-1007 · Effective January 1, 2027
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
HB 5340 / Public Act 26-127 · Effective Oct 1, 2026 (portable devices) · Jul 1, 2026 (RRES successor)
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
LD 1730 · Effective Jul 15, 2026
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
HB 1532 · Effective Effective now
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
SB 540 · Effective
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)
Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) · P.L.2026, c.82 · Effective March 1, 2027
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
HB340 · Effective May 2025
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
S.202 · Effective Jul 1, 2026
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
HB395 · Effective Jul 1, 2026 (partial) · Jan 1, 2027 (renter protections)
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
