Plug-In Solar in California — Legislation Pending
Bill: SB 868 — Distributed Energy Resources: Plug-In Solar Devices
Sponsor: Sen. Scott Wiener
Legislative Status: Passed full California Senate 35-1 on May 20, 2026. Passed Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee on June 10, 2026. Now in Assembly Appropriations Committee — hearing expected August 2026. Assembly must pass by August 31, 2026.
Current Status: Passed Assembly Utilities Committee — In Assembly Appropriations (Passed Senate 35-1)
Last Updated: June 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 passed: self-install without PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E approval. At $0.314/kWh, an 800W system could save $350+ per year.
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
- 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)