Eight US States Legalize Plug-In Solar Kits — SkimNews
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- Eight US states — Virginia, Maine, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire — have legalized plug-in solar since Utah pioneered the reclassification last year.
- Plug-in solar kits cost as little as $300 versus $15,000 for traditional rooftop solar installations, and include a microinverter that converts solar energy prioritized for use by devices inside the home.
- US regulations cap plug-in solar systems at up to 1,200W, compared to Europe's 800W limit.
- Surging oil and gas prices — driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing US war with Iran — plus falling global solar and battery costs are fueling adoption, though US consumers pay more due to Trump's tariffs on panels and batteries and the elimination of solar tax credits.
- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act this week, legalizing setups up to 1,200W on 120V outlets (effective March 1, 2027); California and New York have legislation awaiting governor signature.
- EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Anker are competing in the nascent US market, with EcoFlow launching its Stream 2 series alongside Bluetti's Balco series — both built on modular architectures that expand from entry-level generation to whole-home systems.
- Great Britain legalized plug-in solar on August 27, while Sweden and Hungary remain the only EU member states still prohibiting the devices.
Why it matters: With California — the state with the highest residential electricity rates — potentially next to sign plug-in solar into law, the $300 kits could open rooftop solar's capital barrier to renters and budget consumers. EcoFlow and Bluetti are already positioning modular product lines to capture demand, though Trump's tariffs and eliminated tax credits keep US prices higher than Europe's.
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