California Legislature passes balcony solar bill

California's legislature has passed a bill legalizing "balcony solar" — small, plug-in solar panel kits that plug straight into a regular wall outlet and send power to whatever's nearby, like a fridge or router. The bill, SB 868, now goes to Governor Newsom, who has 30 days to sign or veto it; if he does nothing, it becomes law anyway and takes effect January 1, 2027. Supporters say a plug-in system could cut a household's annual electric bill by around $400, and it opens up solar to renters and others who can't put panels on a roof. Systems up to 1,200 watts per home would be allowed without going through the usual utility approval process required for full rooftop solar.

There's a catch: only kits certified by a national safety testing lab would qualify, and the relevant safety standard, called UL3700, is brand new — no product has been certified under it yet. That standard also still requires an electrician, so a truly plug-and-play product may not be available right away. The law also has an expiration date of January 1, 2030, after which plug-in solar would again need utility sign-off, unless lawmakers extend it.

California would join eight other states — Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia — that have already passed similar balcony solar laws, with New York's bill awaiting the governor's signature. If you're interested in this option for your own home, it's worth checking back once certified products actually reach the market and confirming what your state allows.