Balcony Solar in the US: Which States Allow Plug-In Solar Panels

Balcony solar, also called plug-in solar, is a small solar panel kit with a microinverter that plugs into a standard household outlet. As of September 28, 2026, nine US states have enacted laws for it: Utah, Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and New Jersey. Most cap systems at 1,200 watts; Colorado allows 1,920.

What is plug-in (balcony) solar?

A plug-in solar system is one or two solar panels, a microinverter that turns their DC output into household AC power, and a cord that plugs into a wall outlet. The panels usually hang on a balcony railing, sit on a patio or lean against a wall.

The power flows into your home’s wiring and is used by whatever is running at the time, such as a refrigerator, router or TV. That lowers the amount you draw from the grid while the sun is up. Maine’s law describes the purpose as offsetting “on-site electricity consumption.”

The idea took off in Germany, where these units are called Balkonkraftwerke. Germany’s grid regulator limits them to 800 VA of inverter output and 2,000 W of panel capacity, and owners register them in a national database.

Which states allow plug-in solar panels?

Nine states had enacted plug-in solar laws as of September 28, 2026. Utah was first, in 2025. The rest passed in 2026. Several are not in force yet, and the notification rules differ a lot from state to state.

New York’s legislature has passed the SUNNY Act (A.9111C/S.8512C). Canary Media reported in June 2026 that it would allow systems up to 1,200 watts with an online notification, and that the governor had until the end of 2026 to act. Check its status before you plan around it.

What the state laws have in common

Almost every law exempts qualifying systems from the interconnection agreement that rooftop solar needs. Most also bar the utility from charging a fee or requiring extra equipment. In return, the device must be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and must shut itself off during a blackout.

Exported power usually earns nothing. Maine and Vermont exclude plug-in systems from net metering, and Connecticut requires a warning that excess generation may be billed as usage unless you have a net metering meter. A system sized to your daytime base load wastes less.

How is plug-in solar different from a portable power station?

The two are often confused because both use panels and plugs. They solve different problems.

A plug-in solar kit feeds your home’s wiring. It has no battery unless you add one, and it goes quiet when the grid goes down. A portable power station, often sold as a solar generator, stores energy in its own battery. You plug appliances into it, and it keeps running through an outage.

If backup power is your goal, start with our solar generator buying guide. To see what a popular size handles, read what a 1000Wh power station can run, which covers a fridge, CPAP and lights. For whole-house questions, see solar generators for home backup. Shopping for a renter? Our solar generator gifts guide covers a power station and folding panel setup for a balcony.

Is plug-in solar safe?

UL Solutions launched UL 3700, its test program for plug-in photovoltaic equipment, in January 2026. It covers shock protection, overload protection and preventing current from flowing the wrong way. Maine and Vermont name UL 3700 in their laws. Connecticut cites UL 1741, the inverter standard.

In a March 2026 webinar, UL flagged risks that existing electrical codes do not anticipate. These include undetected overloads on a shared circuit and live prongs on a plug that is pulled out while the panel is producing. UL listed dedicated circuits and built-in ground-fault protection among the ways to reduce those risks. Maine already requires a dedicated circuit above 420 W, and Colorado limits you to one device per outlet.

Certified products are still new. Utah Public Radio reported in June 2026 that UL had not yet certified any plug-in system. Ask the seller for the certificate and the testing lab’s name before you buy. New Hampshire’s law also directs the state to warn that unlisted systems may affect homeowners or renters insurance coverage.

What to check before you buy a balcony solar kit

1. Your state’s law and start date. Use the table above, then read the linked text.
2. Your utility’s notice form. Virginia, Maryland and Maine (above 420 W) require notice. Colorado lets utilities ask for it.
3. Your lease or HOA rules. Vermont, New Jersey and Colorado set rules for landlords and associations. Maine requires tenants to avoid damaging the structure and to restore it on removal.
4. The inverter’s AC output. Match it to your state’s cap, not the panels’ combined rating.
5. Certification. Look for UL 3700 or a listing from another nationally recognized testing laboratory.
6. Mounting. Vermont requires the device to be securely attached. Follow the maker’s mounting instructions for railings and walls.

How much power does a balcony solar system make?

Output depends on panel wattage, direction, shading and your local sun. A 1,200 W system is about a sixth of the size of a median rooftop solar installation, according to Canary Media. It will not run your home, but it can cover part of the steady daytime load from appliances that are always on.

We do not quote prices or savings here because both change with the kit, your electricity rate and your state’s rules. Our guide to how much a solar generator costs explains how to compare storage options on cost per watt-hour if you are weighing a battery as well.