ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Several states are working to legalize backyard solar setups.
- After Utah, nine other states have legalized it, or are working on bills for plug-in solar.
- 24 other states have stalled, but are already working on legislation.
Plug-in solar systems are easy to install and can save consumers money on their electricity bills, but they are still illegal in many states. Utah was the first to legalize backyard and plug-in solar, but other states have since caught on, and more are working on their own path to legalization.
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As we described earlier, these plug-in solar setups (also commonly called “backyard solar”) are plug-and-play systems that consist of one or more solar panels, an inverter, and a battery. The system connects to a home standard 120-volt outlet, automatically routing solar-generated electricity from the battery to the nearest running device.
Which states have legalized plug-in solar?
Ten states have already legalized backyard and plug-in solar systems, so residents can already purchase and install systems like the EcoFlow Stream in their homes. Here is the current state of the states that have already successfully passed legislation to legalize such devices for the consumer.
| State | Legislation status |
| Utah | House Bill 340: Effective May 2025 |
| Virginia | House Bill 395, Senate Bill 250: Effective January 1, 2027 |
| Colorado | House Bill 26-1007: Effective August 12, 2026 |
| Vermont | House Bill 598, Senate Bill 202: Effective July 1, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | Senate Bill 540: Effective January 1, 2027 |
| Maine | Legislative Document 1730: Effective July 29, 2026 |
| Maryland | House Bill 1532: Effective July 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | House Bill 5340: Effective October 1, 2026 |
| New Jersey | Senate Bill 2368: Effective March 1, 2027 |
| California | Senate Bill 868: Effective January 1, 2027 |
Data from Solar.com.
Which states are working to legalize plug-in solar?
About two dozen states are still in the process of legalizing plug-in solar. Some bills are stalled until the next legislative session reconvenes in 2027, while others go through committee hearings.
Balcony solar bills H.5175 and S3143 are advancing in Massachusetts, and the SUNNY Act is pending governor approval in New York. Bills in other states such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, DC have reached committee hearings.
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Most states have stopped plug-in solar bills until the next legislative session in 2027, including Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
Unfortunately, plug-in solar bills have failed in Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, so if you live in one of these states, these types of devices are technically illegal to operate. This does not mean that it will not eventually clear the legislative slate in these states, but the legislators will have to submit a new bill to reintroduce it after making necessary revisions.
Can I install my solar panels if my state legalizes plug-in solar?
Whether or not you can immediately install your balcony solar panels after the systems are legalized in your state depends on your home situation.
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In general, the bills focus on preventing utility companies from blocking plug-in solar projects. These bills may not preempt the bans of these systems by landlords or HOAs, although additional bills have been introduced in several states to include protections for HOAs and landlords.
Why is plug-in solar illegal?
Plug-in solar is illegal because the electrical systems in traditional American homes are not designed to receive electricity from a standard wall outlet. Rooftop solar systems are professionally installed and designed so that the energy collected by the panels flows through a circuit breaker to your outlets. Plug-in solar, in turn, directs electricity directly to an outlet by bypassing the electrical panel.
In a plug-in solar setup, nearby appliances draw energy provided by the breaker and solar inverter, but the wiring might carry more current than the breaker alone allows before it trips. But it’s not just about security.
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Installing your own solar panels means less reliance on local utilities. These companies are the biggest regulatory obstacle to plug-in or balcony solar setups. Their rules and regulations on solar energy are designed for rooftop panels, not plug-and-play systems, so the legislation is pushing utility companies to change that.
There’s also the elephant in the room: utilities would make less money from their services if plug-in solar became widely popular. If consumers buy less electricity, they contribute less to grid costs.