The law passing is the easy part. The hard part is standing in front of a product page wondering whether you need one panel or four, a $499 starter kit or a $1,900 battery system, and whether the thing you want even ships to your zip code.
This is the decision tree I use when someone asks “my state just legalized plug-in solar, now what do I buy?” It assumes you already confirmed your state has an enabling law. If not, start with the legislation tracker or the state law pages.
Not sure if your state is live yet? The readiness checker walks through law status, outlet setup, and recommended kit size.
Check plug-in solar readiness →Step 1: Confirm the law is actually in effect
Enacted and effective are different dates.
| State | Law | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | HB 340 | Already in effect |
| Maryland | HB 1532 | May 12, 2026 (immediate) |
| Virginia | HB 395 | July 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | HB 26-1007 | January 1, 2027 |
| Maine | LD 1730 | July 2026 |
| Connecticut | HB 5340 | October 2026 |
| New Hampshire | SB 540 | January 2027 |
| New York | A9111C | January 2027 |
If your effective date is still in the future, you can research and price kits now, but installing before that date puts you back under the old interconnection rules.
Step 2: Pick a watt cap that matches your state
Most enacted states cap systems at 1,200W AC output. Colorado allows 1,920W. Do not buy a kit whose microinverter exceeds your state’s limit.
For a first system, 800W (two 400W panels) is the sweet spot in most states: enough to matter on your bill, small enough to mount on a standard balcony railing, and within every current US kit lineup.
Start with 400W (one panel) only if you want the lowest cash outlay to test the concept. Bright Saver Flex and similar single-panel kits exist for that. Expect $80–$150/year in savings in high-rate states, not a transformed bill.
Step 3: All-in-one kit vs DIY panel + microinverter
Buy an all-in-one kit if:
- This is your first solar project
- You rent and may move in 2–3 years (one box to pack)
- You want a single warranty contact
Good options: PluggedSolar 800W, EcoFlow STREAM (where it ships), Bright Saver Flex for starters.
Build DIY if:
- You are comfortable sourcing panels separately
- You want the lowest $/watt
- You already found used panels locally
Pair two 400W panels with a UL 1741 SB-listed Hoymiles HMS-800 or APsystems EZ1-LV. See the microinverter comparison for specs.
Step 4: Do you need a battery?
Skip the battery if you work from home and use power during daylight hours. Your panels offset load directly.
Add a battery (EcoFlow STREAM Ultra, or a separate storage unit sized to evening loads) if:
- You leave for work at 7am and return at 6pm
- Your peak usage is evenings and weekends
- You want backup for short outages
Batteries add $600–$1,200 to kit cost. They raise self-consumption from ~50% to 80%+ but extend payback by 2–4 years unless your utility rate is above 28¢/kWh. Run your scenario in the balcony solar calculator.
Step 5: Verify shipping to your state
This catches people constantly. EcoFlow expanded STREAM sales to Maryland in May 2026 but still restricts other states. Oregon and Washington buyers report shipping blocks even though neighboring Utah has a law.
If your preferred kit will not ship to you:
- Check NAZ Solar / Northern Arizona Wind & Sun balcony kits (popular in the Pacific Northwest)
- Build DIY with Hoymiles or APsystems (distributor shipping, not state-gated SKUs)
- See Oregon and Washington plug-in solar for current workarounds
Step 6: Pre-install checklist (before you click Buy)
- GFCI outlet on a 15A or 20A circuit with headroom for the inverter load
- South- or west-facing mount with minimal shade (morning shade from a building counts)
- Landlord notification where the law requires it (Virginia, Maryland, and others)
- Utility notification where required (notice only, not approval, in most enabling states)
- Renters insurance documentation if your policy asks for UL-listed equipment (insurance guide)
What I would buy in each situation
| Situation | First purchase |
|---|---|
| Maryland renter, law live now | PluggedSolar 800W or EcoFlow STREAM 800W |
| Virginia renter, installing after July 1 | Hoymiles DIY 800W (best value before EcoFlow expands) |
| Minnesota (pending law) | Wait for passage, but price Hoymiles DIY now |
| Budget under $500 | Bright Saver Flex 400W or used panels + new inverter |
| WFH household, high evening use | EcoFlow STREAM Ultra or CraftStrom with battery path |
| Colorado homeowner, planning for 2027 | Size for 1,920W cap, not 800W |
Do not count the expired federal tax credit in your math. Plug-in solar payback in 2026 is bill savings only. See federal credit status.
Enter your state rate, kit size, and self-consumption guess. The calculator shows payback without fake incentive assumptions.
Calculate my kit payback →Related: Best Balcony Solar Kits 2026 | Plug-In Balcony Solar Guide | Solar Panels for Renters
Dana Whitmore
Energy Engineer & Billing Analyst · Optiwatt Energy Advisor
Dana has spent the past three years analyzing residential electricity billing data across PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E service territories. She's reviewed billing records for thousands of California households, and built the simulation engine that powers this site's rate-plan comparisons. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and lives in the Bay Area.