Is Plug-In Solar Legal in California?
Bill pending — not law Avg rate ~31¢/kWh
Last verified: August 25, 2026 · source data
A grid-tie kit feeds power into your home while the sun is up, which lowers what you draw from the utility. It shuts down in a blackout by design, so that line workers are not exposed to your power.
A power station does the opposite. It will run your fridge in an outage and it lowers nothing on an ordinary day.
Most people who arrive on this page want the first one. If you want backup as well, that is a second purchase, not a bigger version of the first.
→ For daily bill offset: balcony solar kits
→ For outages: power stations
Two systems, one job. For plug-in solar that feeds your home and lowers the bill, the head-to-head worth reading is EcoFlow Stream vs Anker SOLIX — two balcony systems doing that same job.
A different job: a portable power station is backup power for an outage. It is not a substitute for a grid-tie kit and it does not lower your bill. If that is what you are after: Anker C1000 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 · C1000 vs C2000 · Anker vs EcoFlow at brand level
California's high electricity prices make even a small kit attractive, and its solar framework is mature. But there is no plug-in exemption in state law today: grid-tied systems fall under standard interconnection rules, and most utilities expect generation to be registered.
SB 868 — the bill that would change this
SB 868, the “Plug and Play Solar Act” (Sen. Wiener), is not law. It would exempt a portable solar generation device — capped at 1,200 W aggregated AC output per dwelling, UL-certified, with an anti-backfeed feature — from all interconnection requirements, while still allowing a utility to ask for simple online registration.
Where it stands, from the official bill record:
- Introduced 5 January 2026.
- Passed the Senate 35-1 on 21 April 2026.
- Amended in the Assembly 15 June 2026 and re-referred to Appropriations.
- 29 June 2026: the 1 July hearing was postponed by committee.
- 5 August 2026: August 5 set for first hearing; placed on the suspense file.
- 17 August 2026: from committee, “Do pass as amended” (Ayes 11, Noes 0); Assembly Rule 63 suspended; read second time and amended.
- 18 August 2026: read second time, ordered to third reading.
- Last recorded action 20 August 2026: read third time and amended, ordered to third reading.
The current text carries a sunset clause, quoted in full: “This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.” If SB 868 became law, California would be the only state with a time-limited plug-in solar regime.
We have not found an express operative date in the current text, so we do not state when it would take effect.
A bill that has passed one chamber is not law and confers no exemption. Until SB 868 is enacted, treat California as an interconnection state and speak to your utility first.
Before you buy in California
Call your electric utility and ask: (1) do they allow small plug-in / behind-the-meter grid-tied solar, and (2) is any notification or interconnection form required? Stay within the wattage they specify, use a UL-listed microinverter, and keep written confirmation.
Then estimate your numbers with our savings calculator (pre-loaded with California's rate).
Ready to start? If you want backup power for outages rather than a grid-tied kit, see our power stations guide →
Nearby states: Oregon · Nevada · Arizona · Hawaii · see the full 50-state tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in California?
California has not exempted plug-in solar from utility rules. SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, passed the Senate 35-1 in April 2026, cleared Assembly Appropriations 11-0 on 17 August and was read a third time and amended on 20 August 2026. It is not law. The current text would sunset on 1 January 2030. Until it becomes law a grid-tied plug-in system is treated like any other generation, so your utility’s interconnection process applies. Average residential rate is around 31¢/kWh.
Do I need utility permission in California?
It depends on your state's rules and your utility. The safe path in California is to use a UL-listed (UL 3700) microinverter and check your utility's interconnection policy before you install; see the status for California above for specifics.
Is there a bill to legalize plug-in solar in California?
Yes. SB 868 (Plug and Play Solar Act) passed the California Senate on 2026-04-21 and, after clearing Assembly Appropriations, was read a third time and amended on 2026-08-20. It is not law, and the current text would sunset on 2030-01-01. Last reviewed August 25, 2026.
How much can plug-in solar save in California?
California’s average residential electricity rate is around 31¢/kWh. Estimate your own savings with our free savings calculator, pre-loaded with California’s rate.