What States Is Balcony Solar Legal In?
As of October 2026, 10 US states have signed plug-in balcony solar laws: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Most let you plug in up to 1,200 watts without a utility interconnection agreement or fees. Colorado allows up to 1,920 W. New York's bill is waiting for the governor's signature.
Why balcony solar needs a state law
A balcony solar kit is one or two panels and a small inverter that plugs into a regular wall outlet (how balcony solar works). It's common in Germany, but in most US states any system connected to your home wiring legally needs a utility interconnection agreement, which is slow, costly and built for rooftop systems. A plug-in solar law makes small, certified devices exempt from that process.
Most of these laws share the same core rules:
- A size cap, usually 1,200 W of total output per meter or home.
- No interconnection agreement and no utility fees.
- Hardware certified by UL or an equivalent lab, including protection that stops it sending power into the grid during an outage.
- In some states, rules that stop landlords or HOAs from banning it.
Balcony solar laws by state
| State | Status | Bill | Size cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Alaska | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | Expected to return |
| Arizona | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | Expected to return |
| Arkansas | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| California | ✅ Signed | SB 868 | 1,200 W | Effective Jan 1, 2027; exemptions sunset in 2030 |
| Colorado | ✅ Signed | HB26-1007 | 1,920 W | Highest cap (1,920 W); in effect since Aug 12, 2026; ban protections from Jan 1, 2027 |
| Connecticut | ✅ Signed | HB 5340 | 1,200 W | PA 26-127; reported in effect since Oct 1, 2026; one 1,200 W device per meter |
| Delaware | 🔄 Bill moving | SB 270 | 800 W | 800 W cap proposed |
| Florida | — No bill yet | — | — | No bill in 2025 or 2026; solar-rights law excludes condo and apartment railings; next session Mar 2, 2027 |
| Georgia | ⛔ Failed | HB 1304 | — | Held without a vote |
| Hawaii | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Idaho | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Illinois | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Indiana | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Iowa | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Kansas | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Kentucky | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Louisiana | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Maine | ✅ Signed | LD 1730 (SP 676) | 1,200 W | Ch. 644; in effect since Jul 29, 2026; up to 420 W is DIY, more needs an electrician |
| Maryland | ✅ Signed | HB 1532 | 1,200 W | Chapter 353; in effect since Jul 1, 2026; one system per meter; notify utility first |
| Massachusetts | 🔄 Bill moving | H 5175 (Senate version S 3166) | — | In House–Senate conference since Jul 16, 2026; can still pass before the session ends |
| Michigan | 🔄 Bill moving | HB 5764 | — | In committee |
| Minnesota | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Mississippi | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Missouri | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| Montana | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Nebraska | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Nevada | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| New Hampshire | ✅ Signed | SB 540 | 1,200 W | Chapter 262; effective Jan 1, 2027; one 1,200 W system per meter |
| New Jersey | ✅ Signed | S 2368 / A 4836 | 1,200 W | Signed Sep 1, 2026 (P.L.2026, c.82); renter, HOA and town protections |
| New Mexico | ⛔ Failed | SB 157 | — | Postponed indefinitely |
| New York | ⏳ Waiting on governor | S 8512C / A 9111 | 1,200 W | Passed both chambers; waiting for Governor Hochul (deadline end of 2026) |
| North Carolina | 🔄 Bill moving | HB 1129 / SB 957 | — | In committee |
| North Dakota | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Ohio | 🔄 Bill moving | HB 755 | — | In committee |
| Oklahoma | ⛔ Stalled | HB 4060 | — | Passed the House 88–4, stalled in the Senate |
| Oregon | ⛔ Failed | HB 4080 | — | Died in committee |
| Pennsylvania | ⛔ Stalled | HB 1971 | 1,200 W | In House Energy Committee since Oct 2025, no action; dies Nov 30, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | ⛔ Stalled | — | — | — |
| South Carolina | 🔄 Bill moving | H 4579 | — | In committee |
| South Dakota | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Tennessee | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Texas | — No bill yet | — | — | No bill filed in 2025 sessions; next session Jan 12, 2027 |
| Utah | ✅ Signed | HB 340 | 1,200 W | First state law (2025); in effect since May 7, 2025 |
| Vermont | ✅ Signed | S. 202 | 1,200 W | Act 149; in effect since Jul 1, 2026; smart meter and UL 3700 required |
| Virginia | ✅ Signed | HB 395 / SB 250 | 1,200 W | Chapter 1052; effective Jan 1, 2027; notify utility first; larger landlords can't ban it |
| Washington | ⛔ Failed | HB 2296 | — | Plug-in language removed from the bill |
| West Virginia | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Wisconsin | — No bill yet | — | — | — |
| Wyoming | ⛔ Failed | — | — | Failed in committee |
Effective dates differ by state and some trackers disagree on them, so check the state page or the legislature's site before you buy.
What if balcony solar isn't legal in my state yet?
- Go battery-only. A panel that charges a portable power station, which you then plug devices into, never connects to your home wiring, so interconnection rules don't apply.
- Buy a certified kit. If your state passes a law, it will almost certainly require UL or equivalent certification.
- Watch your state's bill. Most legislatures start new sessions in January 2027, and several of the stalled bills are expected to return.
Renters and HOAs
Being legal in your state doesn't automatically mean your landlord or HOA must allow it. Only a few states say so in their laws: Virginia blocks bans by landlords with more than four rental units, Colorado voids HOA rules and covenants that unreasonably block it from January 1, 2027, and New Jersey protects renters who pay their own electric bill and bars HOA blanket bans. Everywhere else, check your lease or HOA rules and ask in writing.
FAQ
- What states is balcony solar legal in?
- As of October 2026: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. New York is waiting for the governor's signature.
- Why is balcony solar illegal in some states?
- It isn't banned outright. Without a plug-in solar law, anything connected to your home wiring needs a utility interconnection agreement, and plugging in without one breaks utility rules.
- How many watts can I plug in?
- In most states with a law, up to 1,200 W per meter or home. Colorado allows 1,920 W, and Delaware's pending bill proposes 800 W.
- Is balcony solar legal in Texas or Florida?
- Neither state has introduced a plug-in solar bill as of October 2026.
- Can my landlord stop me from installing balcony solar?
- In most states, yes. Virginia, Colorado (for HOAs) and New Jersey have protections.
Sources
- Exact Solar: state-by-state balcony solar update (Jul 24, 2026)
- Third Act: ten states pass balcony and plug-in solar legislation (Jul 10, 2026)
- pv magazine USA: Newsom signs California plug-in solar bill (Oct 1, 2026)
This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.