Plug-In Solar in Utah — Legal
Bill: HB 340 — Plug-In Solar Device Amendments
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond Ward
Legislative Status: Signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox, March 2025. Passed unanimously in both chambers. Effective immediately.
Current Status: Enacted — Signed by Governor, March 2025
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 11.6¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $175/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 4¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.3 |
| Retail Choice | none |
Key Provisions
Creates a new legal category for plug-in solar devices up to 1,200 watts. Exempts them from utility interconnection agreements. Allows self-installation without permits. Inverters must be UL 1741 certified. Permits limited backfeeding of excess energy. No new subsidies or tax credits — purely a deregulation measure.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | May 7, 2025 |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts AC output |
| UL 3700 | referenced — Referenced but not required (general UL certification or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification is required) |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text, but external sources indicate it prohibits HOAs from banning or unreasonably restricting these systems. |
| Renter Provision | Not addressed in the bill text, but external sources suggest it applies to homeowners. |
| Utility Approval | Waived |
| Permit Required | Waived |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Portable solar generation devices are not subject to net metering program requirements, meaning power fed back to the grid is uncompensated. |
| Key Differences | Utah was the first state to pass legislation specifically for plug-in solar. It creates a new legal category for 'portable solar generation devices' that are exempt from traditional interconnection requirements and utility approval. |
| Notable Omissions | The bill does not include provisions for net metering credits for excess generation, and it is limited to residential properties, excluding commercial installations. |
What You Can Do
Buy a UL-certified plug-in solar kit (up to 1,200W), install it yourself on a balcony or yard, and plug it into a GFCI-protected 120V outlet. No permits, no utility approval, no professional installation required.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Systems over 1,200W still require standard interconnection. No state rebate or tax credit is available under this law. Traditional rooftop systems still require permits.
Available Rebates & Incentives
No state rebate under HB 340 (deregulation-only law). Net metering credit available via Rocky Mountain Power. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 and is no longer available.
Incentive Program Links
- Rocky Mountain Power — Net Billing (Schedule 137) — Earn bill credits for excess solar generation. Residential systems under 25 kW eligible.
- Rocky Mountain Power — Wattsmart Battery Program — $400/kW rebate (up to $2,000) for battery storage paired with solar.
- DSIRE — Utah Solar Incentives — Full list of Utah state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 3,417,734 |
| Total Households | 1,079,190 |
| Owner-Occupied | 771,940 |
| Renter-Occupied | 307,250 |
| Single-Family Homes | 707,497 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 117,748 |
| Median Household Income | $89,168 |
| Median Home Value | $486,200 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.47 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 32° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1266 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | June–August |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Power | ~1,056,003 customers | Yes |
| Dixie Power | ~35,000 customers | Yes |
| Garkane Energy Cooperative, Inc. | ~15,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Utah becomes first US state to legalize plug-in solar — Canary Media (March 2025)
- Utah HB 340: Plug-In Solar Device Amendments signed into law — Utah Legislature (March 2025)
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)