Plug-In Solar Panels: Is It Legal Where You Live?
Plug-in solar panels are kits that plug into a wall outlet.
See the rules for all 50 states and Washington, DC in one table.
- 10 states now have a plug-in law.
- Of those 10 states, 6 let you plug in a kit today.
- Of those 10 states, 9 let you use a kit as large as 1,200 watts.
How Plug-In Kits Work
Each kit comes with one to six solar panels, a cord and a small power box. This box changes the power from the panels so your outlets can use it. Sellers call this box a microinverter. Your home uses the solar power first, for things like your fridge, lights and TV.
Whether you can plug in a kit depends on your state's rules and on the kit. New state laws say a kit must pass a special safety test for plug-in solar. That test is called UL 3700. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a company that tests products for safety. The kit must also switch itself off when the power goes out, and it can't be bigger than your state allows. Size is counted in watts. A watt is a small unit of power. If your state has no such law, ask your power company for permission before you plug in.
Before you buy, check two things: which safety test the kit has passed, and the most watts its power box can send into your home. For more, read the balcony solar guide.
Ranked by Price per Watt: Plug-In Solar Kits
| Kit | Cost per watt | Price | Panels | Power to your outlets | Safety test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | $0.76 | $899 | 1,180 watts | 900 watts | Passed the plug-in safety test |
| 2Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | $1.15 | $414 | 360 watts | 360 watts | Passed the plug-in safety test |
| 3EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | $1.37 | $1,099 | 800 watts | 1,200 watts | It passed an older safety test, not the newer one made for plug-in solar. |
| 4PluggedSolar 800 W Kit | $1.81 | $1,449 | 800 watts | 800 watts, seller's number | It passed an older safety test, not the newer one made for plug-in solar. |
| 5PluggedSolar APsystems 800 W Kit | $1.99 | $1,595 | 800 watts | 800 watts, seller's number | The seller says the kit passed the plug-in safety test. |
| 6Mango Power S 1200 W Kit | $2.25 | $2,698 | 1,200 watts | 1,120 watts | The seller says the kit passed the plug-in safety test. |
| 7Craftstrom 1200 W Plug&Play Kit | $2.54 | $3,048 | 1,200 watts | 1,050 watts | The seller says the kit passed the plug-in safety test. |
The kit at the top costs the least for each watt. Price per watt shows what each watt of solar power costs you. A lower number means you pay less for the same power. The power box has a limit, too. Even if the panels can produce more than that, your home only gets what the box can handle.
Compare all 7 kits and their warranties (repair or replacement promises) or download the details as a spreadsheet. Want to keep some solar power for the evening? For that, add a battery that plugs into an outlet, like the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra. It comes without panels. It stores 1.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh), the unit your power bill uses. A kWh is roughly what a microwave uses running for an hour.
Next Steps
Savings Calculator
Tell us your state, which kit you have and where the panels will go. Then see how much you could save in a year.
Every State at a Glance
The rules for all 50 states and DC, plus the biggest kit allowed in each.
Solar for Apartments
For renters: your choices, how to put up a kit, and what to ask your landlord.
Common Questions
So what are plug-in solar panels?
Most are small solar kits of 400 to 1,200 watts. Each kit has a small power box that makes its power fit your outlets. Sellers call that box a microinverter. You plug the kit's cord into a normal wall outlet. That power is used in your home before any from the power company, so you buy less of it.
Do you need an electrician?
No, not in states that have passed a plug-in law. There, the kit just needs the safety test the law names, and it must stay under your state's size limit. In other states, your power company sets the rules, and most ask you to get their permission before you plug in.
How much can a kit save you?
An 800-watt kit saves about $128 to $587 a year, depending on how sunny your state is and what you pay for power. Use the calculator to get the numbers for your state and kit.
Can you use plug-in solar if you rent?
Yes, in many cases. You don't drill into the roof, and you take the kit with you when you move. Check your lease (your rental agreement) and your state page, because some state laws also set rules on what a landlord can ask.