WattPorch is an independent guide to plug-in solar and home backup power for people who live in the United States. We write for renters and homeowners who want a lower electric bill, a plan for the next outage, or both, and who want straight answers before they spend money.
What we cover
- Plug-in and balcony solar: small solar kits that plug into a standard outlet, what they can realistically produce, and what they cannot do.
- State laws: which states have passed plug-in solar laws, when each law takes effect, size limits, and what renters and HOA members should know.
- Home battery backup: sizing, costs, and how batteries work with or without solar.
- Portable power stations and solar generators: what size you actually need and how long it will run your fridge, router and other essentials.
- Generators: whole-house and portable options, real costs, and the safety rules that matter.
Why we started
Electricity prices keep rising across the U.S., and plug-in solar went from illegal to legal in several states in a short time. That created a lot of marketing and very little plain guidance. WattPorch exists to explain the trade-offs in everyday language: savings versus backup, renting versus owning, a small kit versus a full system.
How we research
We read the law or regulation itself, not just headlines. We work from manufacturers’ published specifications, utility rate data and government sources such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration. When we estimate savings or runtime, we show the numbers and the assumptions so you can redo the math with your own rate. Every state law page shows the date it was last checked. You can read the full process in our Editorial Policy.
We do not invent credentials, testers or reviews. If we have not tested a product ourselves, we say so and tell you what our comparison is based on.
How WattPorch is funded
WattPorch is free to read. We may earn money from display ads and from affiliate links: if you buy through some links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide what we recommend, and we tell you when a page contains paid links. Details are in our Affiliate Disclosure.
Get in touch
Found an error, a law that changed, or a product we should look at? Visit our Contact page.