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Policy & Regulation

California Legalizes Plug-In Balcony Solar With 1,200W Limit

California legalizes plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200W, with certification and no utility registration, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-02 20:13

State Senator Scott Wiener, the bill's author, said the small, easy-to-use panels would give everyone, including renters, relief on high energy bills. The measure is aimed at making solar accessible to people who cannot install rooftop systems.

Balcony solar kits typically include at least one solar panel, a microinverter to convert direct current to 120V alternating current, and an optional battery backup for evening use. They are relatively inexpensive compared with regular rooftop installations because they can be self-installed and usually plugged into a standard AC socket. Under the new law, owners will not need to register a plug-in solar system with utilities as they do for rooftop installations. The process is expected to be simple and free, with immediate approvals.

There are limits. California installations are capped at 1,200W, enough to run a refrigerator and a few small appliances, which is much less than a rooftop installation of 6,000 watts or more. The cap is in line with most other states but lower than Colorado's 1,920W maximum. The law also requires UL or equivalent certification, and so far only UL3700 exists for plug-in solar.

UL3700 requires components to prevent accidental touching of hazardous electrical parts, protect against overloads, and stop current from flowing in the wrong direction. Its key feature is a requirement for a uniquely configured, non-NEMA plug and receptacle system, according to PluginSolarUS. That requirement would need a certified electrician for many installations and make the systems impractical for renters, despite Wiener's statement that the law would help them.

New balcony solar product innovations may eventually make the systems truly plug-and-play. A handful of products are currently certified under UL3700 from companies including Hoymiles, APsystems and Mango. Bernadette del Chiaro, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group, the nonprofit that sponsored the bill, told The Los Angeles Times that she expects approval for two more companies by the end of the year, with products on shelves not long after in 2027.

Large state utilities such as PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The companies also effectively said the technology may force them to raise prices, passing extra costs onto users who do not have a solar power option.

Editor's Summary California has legalized plug-in balcony solar systems up to 1,200W starting in 2027, joining nine other states. The law removes utility registration for eligible systems but imposes UL3700 certification and a non-NEMA plug requirement that may limit renter-friendly installation. Utilities opposed the measure on safety and cost grounds, while supporters expect more certified products next year.