The Nine States With Plug-In Solar Laws

Nine states have enacted plug-in solar laws. All nine take the utility out of the way: no approval, no interconnection agreement, and no fees for the device itself. Only four also limit what a landlord can do (Vermont, Colorado, Virginia and New Jersey), and even there a landlord can set reasonable rules on size and placement:

• Utah: in effect since May 2025; no utility approval or fees; the law doesn’t address landlords
• Colorado: in effect since August 12, 2026, up to 1,920W; from January 1, 2027, landlords and HOAs can’t unreasonably prohibit it but can set reasonable rules and ask for notice
• Maryland: in effect since July 1, 2026; notify your utility before installing; the law doesn’t address landlords
• Virginia: from January 1, 2027, landlords with more than four rental units can’t prohibit it but can set reasonable rules; give them 7 days’ notice, and notify your utility first
• Maine: in effect since July 2026; up to 420W with no paperwork, or up to 1,200W installed by a licensed electrician; the law doesn’t address landlords
• Connecticut: effective October 1, 2026; no utility approval, interconnection agreement, or fees; device must be tested by an accredited safety lab; the law doesn’t address landlords
• Vermont: in effect since July 1, 2026; give your landlord at least 10 days’ notice, and they can respond with reasonable restrictions; no permit required
• New Hampshire: from January 1, 2027; one device per meter up to 1,200W, no utility approval or fees; the law doesn’t address landlords
• New Jersey: from March 1, 2027; landlords can’t prohibit it for tenants who pay their own electric bill (give 14 days’ written notice first), HOAs and towns can’t ban it, and no municipal permit is required

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

New Jersey was on this list until September 1, when Governor Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act; it takes effect March 1, 2027. That leaves two bills waiting on governors as of mid-September 2026: California (SB 868, which passed the full legislature on August 26 and reached Governor Newsom’s desk on August 31) and New York (SUNNY Act). Between them, those two states are home to tens of millions of renters, though neither bill addresses landlords, so leases would still decide.

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.
• How your landlord feels about it. 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.

You don’t need roof access, drilling, or a licensed electrician, and nothing about it is permanent; 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: September 19, 2026.