Plug-in solar: output, savings and rules
Estimate what a balcony solar kit produces and saves where you live, and check what the rules allow.
Example: Los Angeles
830 kWh a year
800 W of panels on a south-facing railing in Los Angeles.
What the rules allow
California
Takes effect on January 1, 2027
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per home.
- Certified as a plug-in photovoltaic system by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory, with a certified feature that prevents backfeeding during an outage; meets the National Electrical Code and the California Electrical Code.
- Your utility may ask you to register the kit.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Colorado
In effect since August 12, 2026
Up to 1,920 W of inverter output per home.
- Labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and cannot energize the grid during a power outage. From January 1, 2027, kits over 391 W may only be sold if UL labeled and listed.
- Your utility may ask you to register the kit.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Connecticut
In effect since October 1, 2026
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per meter.
- Certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory to UL 1741; meets the State Building Code, the National Electrical Code and IEEE 1547, and cannot energize the building's wiring during a power outage.
- No notification to the utility is needed.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Maryland
In effect since July 1, 2026
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per meter.
- Certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory. Kits of 391 W or less are exempt from listing provisions that would require rewiring.
- You must notify the utility before connecting.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Maine
In effect since July 29, 2026
Up to 420 W of inverter output per home.
- Listed to UL 3700 or a comparable standard by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, or configured under the National Electrical Code adopted in Maine; inverters shut off within 0.2 seconds of a power loss.
- No notification to the utility is needed.
- You can install the kit yourself.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
New Hampshire
Takes effect on January 1, 2027
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per meter.
- Certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to the national safety standards for distributed energy resources and plug-in solar systems.
- Your utility may ask you to register the kit.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
New Jersey
Takes effect on March 1, 2027
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per home.
- Listed or certified to UL 3700 or a comparable standard by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; cannot export power during an outage.
- No notification to the utility is needed.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Utah
In effect since May 7, 2025
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output.
- Certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory, meets the current National Electrical Code and cannot energize the building's wiring during a power outage.
- No notification to the utility is needed.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Virginia
Takes effect on January 1, 2027
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per home.
- Certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and meets the current National Electrical Code; cannot export power during an outage. Kits of 391 W or less are exempt from listing provisions that would require rewiring.
- You must notify the utility before connecting.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Vermont
In effect since July 1, 2026
Up to 1,200 W of inverter output per meter.
- UL 3700 or an equivalent certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; installed and operated in line with IEEE 1547-2018; cannot energize the building's wiring during a power outage.
- No notification to the utility is needed.
Last verified: October 31, 2026
Latest guides
- How to notify your utility about a plug-in solar kit
Which states require you to tell your utility about a plug-in solar kit, when to do it and what to send, based on the state laws enacted by October 2026.