Quick answer: Governor Newsom signed SB 868 on September 30, 2026. From January 1, 2027, Californians can connect a certified plug-in solar kit of up to 1,200 watts of AC output per home to a standard outlet without a utility interconnection agreement or fees. Utilities may ask for a simple online registration. The law does not override your lease or HOA rules, and it does not pay you for power you send to the grid.
California has some of the highest electricity rates in the country, which is why SB 868 drew so much attention. Here is what the law does and does not do, based on the bill as passed and published analyses. For the national picture, see our state-by-state guide.
SB 868 at a glance
| Item | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Bill | SB 868, introduced by Senator Scott Wiener |
| Signed | September 30, 2026 |
| Takes effect | January 1, 2027 |
| Size limit | Up to 1,200 W of combined AC output per dwelling |
| Certification | Certified for plug-in use by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory |
| Utility paperwork | No interconnection agreement or fees; utilities may require a simple registration (address, make, model, size) |
| Pay for exports | None created by the law |
| Landlords and HOAs | Not overridden by the law |
| Exemption window | The interconnection exemption is set to expire January 1, 2030 |
What you can do from January 1, 2027
- Plug a certified kit of up to 1,200 watts AC into an ordinary outlet at your home.
- Skip the interconnection application your utility requires for rooftop systems.
- Avoid application or interconnection fees for a qualifying kit.
Until January 1, 2027, the old rules still apply. Connecting a plug-in kit before then may break your utility’s terms. If you buy a kit now, wait for the start date before you plug it in.
What the law does not do
- It does not pay you for exported power. Electricity your home does not use at that moment goes to the grid for free, so size your kit to your daytime base load. See Is Plug-In Solar Worth It?
- It does not give you backup power. Certified systems must stop sending power when the grid is down. For outages you need a battery or a portable power station.
- It does not override leases or HOA rules. Renters need the landlord’s permission; HOA members should check their rules.
- It does not replace local codes. Fire and building codes still apply, and the system must meet the electrical code.
Finding a certified kit
Few kits on the U.S. market carried a plug-in certification when the bill passed. Before you buy, check the product listing and documentation for certification specifically for plug-in or balcony use, not only for individual parts. Also confirm the kit’s total AC output is 1,200 watts or less. If your home already has rooftop solar, ask your utility how a plug-in kit interacts with your existing meter and rate plan.
How much could a California home save?
Using our savings formula, an 800-watt kit with 5 peak sun hours and a 0.65 system factor would produce about 950 kWh a year. At 30ยข per kWh, that is roughly $285 a year, if your home uses all of it as it is produced. Your rate and your daytime use change the result, so treat this as an estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in California right now?
The law is signed but starts on January 1, 2027. Until then, standard utility rules for customer generation apply.
Do I need to tell PG&E, SCE or SDG&E?
Utilities may require a simple online registration with your address and the kit’s make, model and size. They cannot require an interconnection agreement or charge fees for a qualifying kit.
Can my landlord say no?
Yes. SB 868 does not override lease terms. Ask for written permission, especially if you need to mount anything to the building.
Sources
- NRG Clean Power: what SB 868 changes
- PromptQuorum: how balcony solar became legal in the U.S.
- California Legislative Information, SB 868 bill text and analyses
*Last checked: November 5, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Savings figures are estimates.*