The Eight States Where Renters Have Clear Legal Rights

Eight states have enacted laws that explicitly give renters the right to install plug-in solar systems on their balcony, patio, or outside space. In these states, your landlord cannot refuse, cannot add prohibitive lease language, and cannot charge fees for the installation:

• Utah — treated as an appliance; no landlord permission needed
• Colorado — no landlord or HOA permission needed; 1,920W wattage ceiling
• Maryland — classified as an appliance; landlord cannot prohibit it
• Virginia — landlord must prohibit it in writing in the lease; effective January 2027
• Maine — written notification to landlord required (not permission); effective July 2026
• Connecticut — no utility approval, interconnection agreement, or fees; device must be tested by an accredited safety lab; effective October 2026
• Vermont — no permit required; landlords get 10 days’ written notice before installation; effective July 2026
• New Hampshire — one device per household up to 1,200W, no utility approval or fees; effective January 2027

Full details, effective dates, and wattage caps for every state (including the ones below) live on the Solarly state law tracker — this is just the short version.

Two More States Are Close

California (SB 868) and New York (SUNNY Act) have both passed their full state legislatures and are awaiting governor signatures as of mid-2026. Together, those two states represent tens of millions of additional renter households.

What About States Without a Law?

In states without specific plug-in solar legislation, your rights depend on three things:

• Your lease. If it’s silent on “modifications” or “exterior attachments,” many renters install without issue — there’s no law against it, just no protection if your landlord objects later.
• Your landlord’s disposition. Most landlords don’t object to a small, unobtrusive plug-in panel. The systems don’t penetrate walls or modify the unit in any way.
• Your utility’s policies. Small plug-in systems (under 800W) typically don’t trigger any utility notification requirement even in states without specific laws.

What Is a Plug-In Solar Panel?

A plug-in solar system is a 200–400 watt panel (or two) that sits on your balcony railing, window ledge, or patio. It connects to a small microinverter that converts sunlight to electricity, then plugs into your wall outlet via a standard plug. The electricity flows directly into your home’s circuit, reducing what you draw from the grid.

There’s no roof access, no drilling, no licensed electrician, and no permanent modification. You can take it with you when you move. A single 400W panel saves roughly $5–23/month depending on your electricity rate, with a payback period of 2.5–6 years.

State-Specific Guides

For the full state-by-state picture, see the Solarly state law tracker. Last updated: July 2026.