Plug-in solar law status changes weekly in 2026. This tracker lists enacted states, pending bills, and failed efforts so you know whether you can buy, wait, or advocate. Last updated June 24, 2026.
Interactive state pages with watt limits, savings estimates, and law summaries.
Plug-in solar law map →Enacted and live (or scheduled)
| State | Bill | Watt cap | Effective | Detail page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | HB 340 | 1,200W | Live | Utah guide |
| Maryland | HB 1532 (RELIEF Act) | 1,200W | May 12, 2026 | Maryland guide |
| Virginia | HB 395 | 1,200W | July 1, 2026 | Virginia guide |
| Colorado | HB 26-1007 | 1,920W | Jan 1, 2027 | Colorado guide |
| Maine | LD 1730 | 1,200W | July 2026 | Maine guide |
| Connecticut | HB 5340 | 1,200W | Oct 1, 2026 | Connecticut guide |
| New Hampshire | SB 540 | 1,200W | Jan 1, 2027 | New Hampshire guide |
| New York | A9111C / S8512C | 1,200W | Jan 1, 2027 | New York guide |
Count: 8 enacted states. Live today for new installs: Utah, Maryland. Virginia joins July 1, 2026.
Pending (2026 session)
| State | Bill | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | SF 3873 (in SF 4504 omnibus) | Senate floor pending | Minnesota guide |
Advocacy active. Contact senators if you are a Minnesota resident.
Failed or stalled (2025–2026)
| State | Outcome | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Bill died 2026 | Union opposition at hearing (details) |
| Oregon | Failed 2025, retry expected | Same union dynamic per advocates |
| Washington | No enacted law | No floor vote success yet |
No enabling law (high interest, gray zone)
| State/region | Situation |
|---|---|
| California | Large install base, no statewide plug-in statute; CA legal guide |
| Oregon / Washington | PNW status |
| Most other states | Standard interconnection rules only |
What enabling laws typically include
Common template across enacted bills:
- Watt cap (1,200W most states; 1,920W Colorado)
- UL-listed microinverter required (Maryland exempts ≤391W from cert requirement)
- No utility pre-approval (notification only)
- Landlord cannot ban qualifying systems
- No net metering for plug-in category (self-consumption model)
See what to buy after your state passes.
Manufacturer shipping vs law status
Legal in a state does not mean every kit ships there.
| Vendor | Shipping policy (June 2026) |
|---|---|
| EcoFlow STREAM | Utah, Maryland confirmed expanding |
| Hoymiles / APsystems | US distributors, generally not state-gated |
| PluggedSolar | Amazon/direct, wide US |
| Bright Saver | California-focused nonprofit |
Federal overlay
- ITC (30% tax credit): Expired for residential purchases Dec 31, 2025. Do not model credit for 2026 plug-in buys (federal guide).
- UL 3700: New system-level safety standard rolling out 2026 (UL 3700 guide).
How to use this tracker
- Find your state in enacted or pending
- Read the linked law guide for effective date and renter rules
- Run payback in the balcony solar calculator
- Pick hardware via best kits 2026 or microinverter comparison
We update this post when governors sign bills or sessions adjourn. Subscribe to r/balconysolar and state advocate lists for real-time alerts between updates.
Your state live? Start with the post-law buying guide.
What to buy after legalization →Related: Balcony Solar in the US 2026 | Solar Panels for Renters | Why Balcony Solar Bills Fail
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.