Key Report Takeaways

Several states advance efforts to approve backyard solar installations.
Following Utah, nine more states have approved or pursue bills for plug-in solar.
Twenty-four states remain delayed yet continue work on related legislation.

These plug-and-play solar solutions provide straightforward setup and help lower electricity costs for users, yet stay restricted in many areas. Utah led the way in approving backyard and plug-in solar, while additional states now follow and develop their own approval paths.

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As noted previously, plug-in solar setups (often termed backyard solar) consist of one or more panels, an inverter, and a battery for easy connection. The system plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet and directs solar power from the battery to nearby active devices.

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States That Have Approved Plug-in Solar

Ten states now permit backyard and plug-in solar systems, allowing residents to buy and install units such as the EcoFlow Stream. The following outlines the current status for states with passed laws enabling consumer use of these devices.

Information drawn from Solar.com.

States Pursuing Plug-in Solar Legalization

Roughly two dozen states continue the process of approving plug-in solar. Certain bills await the next session in 2027, while others move through committee review.

Balcony solar measures H.5175 and S3143 progress in Massachusetts, and the SUNNY Act awaits final approval in New York. Proposals in states including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, DC have advanced to hearings.

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Many states have paused plug-in solar bills until the 2027 session, such as Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Plug-in solar bills did not pass in Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, leaving such devices restricted for use in those locations. This does not rule out future approval, though new bills with revisions would be required.

Setting Up Solar Panels After State Approval

The ability to install balcony solar panels right away after legalization depends on individual home conditions.

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The bills generally aim to stop utilities from restricting plug-in solar projects. They do not override landlord or HOA prohibitions, although some states have added related protections in follow-up measures.

Reasons Plug-in Solar Faces Restrictions

Plug-in solar remains restricted because standard home electrical systems were not built to accept power from regular outlets. Traditional rooftop setups involve professional installation with power routed through breakers. Plug-in versions feed power straight into outlets and bypass the main panel.

In these setups, nearby appliances use power from both the breaker and solar inverter, which may exceed what wiring safely handles before a breaker activates. Safety is not the only factor.

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Adding personal solar panels reduces dependence on local utilities. These firms present the main regulatory barrier for plug-in or balcony systems. Their solar policies address rooftop installations rather than plug-and-play units, so new laws must prompt utilities to update rules.

Utilities stand to lose revenue as plug-in solar grows popular. Lower electricity purchases by consumers reduce contributions to grid maintenance costs.