Find the Right Plug-In Solar for Your Home

Lower Bills. Smarter Energy Choices.

Compare kits, panels and inverter options. Explore practical guides and savings tools, then choose equipment for your home, budget and state.

10 states have permitted plug-in solar. 9 states have bills pending.

How Plug-In Solar Works

Explore compact solar systems for a balcony, patio or backyard. A qualifying plug-in setup can offer a simpler path than traditional rooftop solar; equipment, circuit, property and local requirements still depend on your setup.

1. Place — Set up solar panels on your balcony, patio, or backyard. No roof mounting needed.
2. Plug — Connect the system to a GFCI outlet. The built-in microinverter converts DC to AC.
3. Save — Solar can offset daytime consumption. Compatible battery systems can shift stored energy to peak-rate hours; outage backup requires a supported configuration and backup outputs for the loads you want to power.

Start with Plug-In Solar 101, then check your setup readiness or estimate potential savings.

Who Is Plug-In Solar For?

• Renters — Explore lower bills and backup power without permanent roof modifications.
• Homeowners — Start with a portable system that can expand with your needs.
• Property Managers — Evaluate tenant requests and common-area opportunities.
• Retail Energy Providers — Explore solar-and-storage service opportunities in appropriate markets.

Where is plug-in solar legal?

We track every US state's plug-in solar legislation — from active bills and committee hearings to signed laws and implementation rules. Updated weekly with primary source citations.

Featured Articles

• Brand Review: Rowkin Energy — Foldable Plug-In Solar Kits, Home Energy Guidance & Pro Support — Rowkin Energy pairs 420 W and 840 W foldable solar kits with home-specific Energy Agent guidance and optional Pro support. Compare equipment, pricing, space needs and safety considerations.
• California SB 868 Passes Legislature: What Happens Next for Plug-In Solar — California, America’s most populous state, has signed SB 868—a major opening for plug-in solar. Explore what a solar setup could mean for your bill as the new utility framework approaches its expected January 1, 2027 effective date.
• Solar Beyond the Sunbelt: What New EIA Data Shows About Small-Scale Solar — EIA estimates U.S. small-scale solar generation rose from 18,812 GWh in 2016 to 92,979 GWh in 2025, with New York ranking fifth.
• Data Centers and Your Power Bill: FERC’s New Push for Cost Transparency — FERC’s six large-load proceedings seek clearer records on grid-upgrade costs and risk. Here’s what the November filings can—and cannot—mean for household bills.
• New York's SUNNY Act: What the Legislature's Passage Means for 5 Million Renters — The New York State Legislature passed the SUNNY Act (A9111C / S8512C) on May 28, 2026 — both chambers. With electricity rates at 28.4¢/kWh and over 60% of NYC households renting, here's what the bill means, what it allows, and what comes next as it awaits Governor Hochul's signature.
• New Jersey Garden State Balcony Solar Act Signed Into Law: What P.L.2026, c.82 Means — Governor Mikie Sherrill signed New Jersey's Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) on September 1, 2026 as P.L.2026, c.82. The ninth enacted state framework takes effect March 1, 2027.
• Maryland's Utility RELIEF Act: What HB 1532 Means for Renters and Deregulated Customers — Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland's HB 1532 (Utility RELIEF Act) into law on May 12, 2026, making Maryland the 5th US state to legalize plug-in solar. Here's what the new law means for Maryland's 370,000 deregulated electricity customers — and why the state's unique market structure makes plug-in solar especially powerful here.
• Colorado Signs HB 26-1007 Into Law: The Highest US Plug-In Solar Limit at 1,920W — Governor Jared Polis signed HB 26-1007 into law on May 7, 2026, making Colorado the 4th US state to legalize plug-in solar. With a 1,920W limit — the highest of any US plug-in solar law — Colorado opens the door to larger, more powerful systems than any other state. The session law took effect August 12, 2026; some utility implementation work continues through year-end.
• Plug-In Solar Goes to Congress: What the Socket Full of Sunshine Act Could Change — H.R. 10851 is introduced, not law. Here is what its proposed state-consideration process, rebate pathway, renter protections, and device rules could change for plug-in solar.
• New York Solar Energy System Equipment Credit: A 2026 Guide — Understand New York’s 25% Solar Energy System Equipment Credit, the $5,000 cap, principal-residence rules, utility checks, and Form IT-255.
• Plug-In Solar 101: What It Is, How It Works, and Whether It's Right for You — Everything you need to know about plug-in solar — from how the technology works to realistic savings estimates and who it makes sense for.
• What to Look For in a Plug-In Solar System: A Spec-by-Spec Buyer's Guide — A brand-neutral, spec-first guide to evaluating plug-in solar systems — covering wattage, battery capacity, inverter type, safety certifications, warranty, and what the marketing numbers actually mean.