Plug-in balcony solar panels have been officially legalised in California this week, opening up a form of renewable energy that was previously off-limits to most renters and apartment dwellers across much of the United States. Homeowners in the Golden State have long been able to cut their electricity bills by installing solar panels, and now those living in flats and condos can do the same.
The measure, known as the Plug and Play Solar Act (Senate Bill No. 868), was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and sponsored by state Senator Scott Wiener. It permits the use of plug-in solar for apartments, condos and single-family homes, provided the equipment meets the regulations set out in the bill. Supporters have described the law as a route to cleaner power, greater energy independence and savings for consumers.
What the new law requires
Despite the simplified process, the legislation still carries several conditions. A solar system cannot generate more than 1,200 watts per home, roughly enough to power a window air-conditioning unit. Owners must also register the balcony solar kit in the same way as a rooftop panel system, and the equipment must be certified by an independent safety organisation.
The system must additionally be configured so it does not feed power back into the grid during a power outage. This may require a separate smart power management meter, such as the Smart Gateway Lite from Mango Power. Previously, installing panels capable of returning power to the grid required an interconnection agreement, which involved an upfront cost of roughly £75 to £600 and typically took around three days for approval.
A growing market across the United States
Balcony solar can be installed almost anywhere with open space and a standard AC outlet. The key advantage is that units can be deployed in a backyard, on a balcony or on a roof without the expensive wiring and installation associated with conventional rooftop solar. The technology has proved popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, where 4 million systems have been installed, and it is now gaining ground in the United States.
Dozens of US states are considering or have already passed legislation to permit the technology. California is the 10th state to legalise plug-in solar, a move that effectively doubles the size of the US market. Utah was the first to pass such a law, in March 2025, followed more recently by New Jersey, where Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a bill preventing landlords and local governments from blocking residents and tenants from installing solar panels with a maximum output of 1,200 watts.
Several manufacturers have been developing hardware for this segment, including Jackery’s SolarVault system, while Bluetti presented its own balcony solar system at IFA Berlin 2026 in September.
