Is balcony solar legal in California?
Signed September 30, 2026; reported to take effect January 1, 2027. California's SB 868 allows portable solar devices that plug into a receptacle, up to 1,200 W AC, without interconnection approval or fees. Until then, existing utility rules apply.
Last checked: · Law: SB 868 (2025-26), Wiener, "Electricity: portable solar generation devices"
What the law says
| Status | Signed by Governor Newsom on September 30, 2026 law text |
|---|---|
| In force | Reported as January 1, 2027 (California's usual start date for new laws) reported |
| Size limit | Total AC output of no more than 1,200 W per dwelling (reported) reported |
| How it connects | Through a receptacle (reported) reported |
| Certification | Certified by UL or an equivalent testing laboratory (reported); UL 3700 is not named in the statute, per one tracker reported |
| Utility rules | Exempt from interconnection; utilities may not charge fees or require permission (reported). One tracker says utilities may require a simple online registration reported |
| Sunset | Reported: the exemptions sunset in 2030, added by Assembly Appropriations in August reported |
| Landlords / HOAs | Reported: no explicit landlord language reported |
law text = read in the bill, statute or an official government page. reported = from news or a tracker; we could not confirm it in an official source yet.
The official bill page blocked our reader, so the terms above come from the press. We will replace them with the statute text.
Where sources disagree
Press call it the "Plug and Play Solar Act" or the "Plug Into the Sun Act"; the Governor's list uses neither name. Only one source mentions the 2030 sunset.
Sources
- Office of the Governor: legislative update, Sept 30, 2026 official
- California Legislative Information: SB 868 official
- pv magazine USA: Newsom signs SB 868 (Oct 1, 2026) secondary
- PluginSolarUS: SB 868 guide secondary
All sources read on 2026-11-03.
Before you plug in
- Check with your utility whether it wants a notice, and how (the rules above say what it may and may not ask).
- Renting or in an HOA? Read renters & HOAs and ask your landlord or board in writing.
- Buy a kit with a certification you can look up. See certified kits.
- Estimate what it saves in California: savings calculator.
This page quotes the rule; it is not legal or electrical advice.