GoKawiilCalifornia legalizes plug-in balcony solar panels under new law
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plug and Play Solar Act (SB 868), sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, allowing renters and homeowners to use plug-in solar systems without a full interconnection agreement. The law caps output at 1,200 watts per home, requires registration and third-party safety certification, and mandates that systems not feed power back to the grid during outages.
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The change could lower the cost and time barrier that previously required renters and apartment dwellers to pay $100-$800 and wait days for grid-interconnection approval, according to PG&E's prior process. Supporters like Bernadette Del Chiaro of the Environmental Working Group frame it as expanding access to cheaper, cleaner power, though the wattage cap and certification requirements mean consumers still need compliant equipment before plugging in.
- SB 868 permits plug-in balcony solar for apartments, condos and single-family homes in California.
- Systems are capped at 1,200 watts and must be registered and certified, with no grid feed-back during outages.
- The law simplifies but doesn't eliminate requirements compared to the prior interconnection agreement process.
EcoFlow PowerStream Balcony Solar Microinverter Kit — EcoFlow's PowerStream system is designed exactly for the plug-in solar use case this new California law addresses, letting apartment and condo dwellers generate their own power without a full interconnection agreement. It pairs with portable solar panels to feed energy directly into your home outlets, making it a great way to start cutting your electric bill as these regulations roll out.
See EcoFlow PowerStream Balcony Solar Microinverter Kit on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Ajay Kumar, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “California Legalized Plug-In Balcony Solar Panels, but Don’t Buy Any Just Yet”
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