Plug-In Solar in California — Legislation Pending
Bill: SB 868 — Distributed Energy Resources: Plug-In Solar Devices
Sponsor: Sen. Scott Wiener
Legislative Status: California's official bill history shows the Assembly passed SB 868 on August 25, 2026. On August 26, the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments 36-4 and ordered the bill to engrossing and enrolling. The bill is not law unless and until gubernatorial action or another applicable California procedure makes it law.
Current Status: Passed Legislature — Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling (August 26, 2026)
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in California?
California lawmakers approved SB 868 on August 25, 2026, moving the state one step closer to a dedicated plug-in solar path. The proposal would cover qualifying systems up to 1,200 W and includes registration and equipment requirements. It now awaits Governor Newsom and is not law yet, so current utility interconnection and electrical requirements remain in effect. Review the proposed rules, follow the status, and check your setup readiness now.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 31.4¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $350/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 20¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.5 |
| Retail Choice | limited |
Key Provisions
Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from CPUC interconnection requirements. Prohibits utilities from charging extra fees. Allows self-installation. Given California's high rates ($0.314/kWh), savings potential is significant.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | January 1 of the year following signing (standard California effective date) |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts AC per dwelling |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — Must be certified as a plug-in photovoltaic system by UL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory (aligns with UL 3700 scope but does not name it) |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Renter Provision | Not explicitly addressed; applies broadly to any "customer" of an electrical corporation or publicly owned utility. |
| Utility Approval | Waived (utilities may only require simple online registration of address and size; registration shall not require approval) |
| Permit Required | Not addressed |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not explicitly addressed. Device is exempt from all interconnection requirements. |
| Key Differences | Applies to both investor-owned utilities and local publicly owned electric utilities. Prohibits any fee or charge related to the device or the electricity it feeds into the building. Requires UL-certified anti-islanding feature. Must meet both NEC and California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3). |
| Notable Omissions | Does not address HOA restrictions. Does not explicitly address renter rights. Does not address net metering or compensation for excess generation. Does not reference UL 3700 by name. |
What You Can Do
If signed into law: use a qualifying portable solar device without the traditional utility interconnection approval process, subject to the enacted text and applicable safety requirements.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Law not yet enacted. California utilities currently require interconnection agreements for any grid-tied system.
Available Rebates & Incentives
California Active Solar Energy System Exclusion exempts solar system value from property tax (through Jan 1, 2027). Net Billing (NEM 3.0) provides export credits locked for 9 years if interconnected before Jan 1, 2027. DAC-SASH provides $3/W for low-income customers in disadvantaged communities. SGIP offers battery storage rebates. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- California Net Billing (NEM 3.0) — CPUC — Export credits locked for 9 years if interconnected before Jan 1, 2027.
- California Active Solar Energy System Exclusion — BOE — Solar systems not assessed for property tax purposes (through Jan 1, 2027).
- DAC-SASH — Low-Income Solar Program (CPUC) — $3/W for systems up to 5 kW for low-income customers in disadvantaged communities.
- Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) — CPUC — Battery storage rebates for systems paired with solar.
- DSIRE — California Solar Incentives — Full list of California state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 39,431,263 |
| Total Households | 13,548,091 |
| Owner-Occupied | 7,590,948 |
| Renter-Occupied | 5,957,143 |
| Single-Family Homes | 8,408,401 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 3,583,005 |
| Median Household Income | $99,122 |
| Median Home Value | $734,700 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.84 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 20° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1304 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | June, July, August |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Gas and Electric Co. | ~5.5 million customers | Yes |
| Southern California Edison Co. | ~3.2 million customers | Yes |
| San Diego Gas & Electric Co. | ~1.49 million customers | Yes |
| Liberty Utilities | ~51,551 customers | Yes |
| Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. | ~5,200 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Official SB 868 history — Senate concurrence and enrollment order — California Legislative Information (August 26, 2026)
- California plug-in solar bill earns approval of both legislative houses — pv magazine USA (August 26, 2026)
- California becomes latest state to approve plug-in solar — Bloomberg (August 25, 2026)
- California Legislature approves balcony solar bill — EWG (August 25, 2026)
- California Assembly Utilities Committee advances balcony solar bill — EWG (June 10, 2026)
- California Senate passes plug-in solar bill — PV Magazine USA (May 20, 2026)
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)
- Plug-in solar currently exists in a legal gray area in many states — CNN (March 3, 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in California
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your CA setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in California — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- California SB 868 Passes Legislature: What Happens Next for Plug-In Solar — Read the most relevant PlugInSolarUS article for California.
- Follow the national legislation picture — See how pending proposals compare with enacted plug-in solar frameworks in other states.