Do I need permission from PG&E, SCE or SDG&E?

Not an interconnection agreement. Check your utility's website after January 1, 2027 in case it asks for a simple notice.

How many watts can I plug in?

Up to 1,200 W of total AC output across all devices in your home.

Can my landlord stop me?

The law doesn't clearly say. Check your lease and ask your landlord in writing.

Do I need an electrician?

Plug-in devices are designed to go into a standard outlet without a permit. Use a certified kit and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Is it legal right now?

Not until January 1, 2027. Until then, a battery-only setup that never connects to your home wiring is the safe option.

Is Balcony Solar Legal in California?

Yes, starting January 1, 2027. Governor Newsom signed SB 868 on September 30, 2026. It lets California homes plug in balcony solar devices with a total output of up to 1,200 watts per dwelling, with no utility interconnection agreement and no utility fees. Devices must be certified by UL or an equivalent lab.

California balcony solar at a glance

Status	✅ Signed (not in effect yet)
Bill	SB 868, Sen. Scott Wiener
Signed	September 30, 2026
Effective	January 1, 2027
Size limit	1,200 W total AC output per dwelling
Utility interconnection agreement	Not required
Utility fees	Not allowed
Certification	UL or equivalent testing lab
Sunset	Exemptions end in 2030 unless extended
Renter / HOA rules	Not clearly spelled out in the law
Last checked	October 28, 2026

What SB 868 actually does

Removes the paperwork. Before SB 868, any system connected to your home wiring needed a utility interconnection agreement, which is why balcony kits were a legal gray area. Qualifying plug-in devices are now exempt.
Bans utility fees. Your utility can't charge you for plugging one in.
Sets a 1,200 W cap. The limit is the total AC output of all devices in one home, not per panel. Two 600 W microinverters add up to the cap.
Requires certified hardware. The device must be certified by UL or an equivalent lab. That certification covers the safety feature that shuts the inverter off when the grid goes down.
Has an end date. Utilities negotiated a 2030 sunset into the bill. Unless the legislature extends it, the interconnection and permission exemptions lapse in 2030.

Can I use balcony solar before January 1, 2027?

Not as a grid-connected plug-in system with the new law's protections. Until then your utility's normal interconnection rules still apply. What you can do now:

Pick a kit that's UL-certified so it qualifies on day one.
Measure your balcony or railing and check how many hours of direct sun it gets.
Use a panel with a portable power station (battery only, not plugged into your wiring). That setup never connects to the grid, so interconnection rules don't apply.

Renters, landlords and HOAs in California

The reporting we've found doesn't describe a specific rule in California stopping landlords or HOAs from banning balcony solar. Until the law's text says otherwise:

Read your lease and HOA rules for anything about balcony attachments or electrical devices.
Ask in writing before mounting anything to a railing.
Prefer clamp-on or freestanding mounts that don't drill into the building.

How much can balcony solar save in California?

Find your price per kWh on your PG&E, SCE or SDG&E bill.
Check the kit's estimated yearly output for your location and the way your balcony faces (south is best, then east or west).
Multiply: yearly kWh × your price per kWh = rough yearly savings. Or use the balcony solar calculator.

Shade, railing angle and how much of the power you use while it's being made all change the result. Plug-in systems are meant to offset what your home uses, not to sell power back.

Timeline

2026: SB 868 passes the Senate 35–1.
August 2026: Assembly Appropriations adds the 2030 sunset.
September 30, 2026: Governor Newsom signs SB 868.
January 1, 2027: The law takes effect.
2030: The exemptions sunset unless extended.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in California?: Yes, from January 1, 2027. SB 868 allows plug-in devices up to 1,200 W per dwelling without an interconnection agreement or utility fees.
Do I need permission from PG&E, SCE or SDG&E?: Not an interconnection agreement. Check your utility's website after January 1, 2027 in case it asks for a simple notice.
How many watts can I plug in?: Up to 1,200 W of total AC output across all devices in your home.
Can my landlord stop me?: The law doesn't clearly say. Check your lease and ask your landlord in writing.
Do I need an electrician?: Plug-in devices are designed to go into a standard outlet without a permit. Use a certified kit and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Is it legal right now?: Not until January 1, 2027. Until then, a battery-only setup that never connects to your home wiring is the safe option.

Sources

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.