Plug-in solar, also called balcony or backyard solar, is now legal in ten states. Utah was the first to pass a law, effective May 2025, and nine others—Virginia, Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, and California—have since followed with laws taking effect between 2026 and 2027. These systems typically consist of solar panels, an inverter, and a battery that connects directly to a standard 120-volt outlet, letting nearby appliances draw solar-generated power without a professional rooftop installation.
The legal push comes with caveats. Most US home electrical systems are not designed to receive power through a wall outlet, and the wiring can carry more current than a breaker allows before tripping. Utilities have also been the biggest regulatory obstacle, since their rules are built around rooftop solar and wider plug-in adoption would reduce electricity sales. The new state laws generally prevent utilities from blocking plug-in solar projects, but they do not override bans by landlords or homeowners associations.
Beyond the ten legalized states, about two dozen are still working on legislation. Bills are advancing in Massachusetts and New York, while several states have stalled until the next legislative session in 2027. In Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, plug-in solar bills have failed, leaving such devices technically illegal to operate there. Lawmakers in those states would need to file new bills to try again.