California just made balcony solar legal. Governor Newsom signed SB 868 on September 30, 2026. The new rules start on January 1, 2027. This guide is as of October 2026. It is not legal advice, so check your utility's page before you buy.
Is balcony solar legal in California now?
Not yet. SB 868 was signed on September 30, 2026, but it starts on January 1, 2027. Until then, plugging a grid-tied solar device into the wall falls under the old utility rules. From January 1, 2027, a qualifying plug-in system is allowed. The law is also set to end on January 1, 2030 unless lawmakers extend it. For the big picture, see which states allow balcony solar.
How many watts can I plug in under SB 868?
Up to 1,200 watts of AC output per home. The system must plug into and unplug from the building's wiring through a regular outlet. It must follow the national and California electrical codes. It must also have a safety feature that cuts it off from the building in a blackout, so it cannot send power back to the grid.
Do I need to tell my utility in California?
You may have to tell them, but you do not need their approval. SB 868 says a utility may ask for a simple online sign-up. It can ask for your address and the make, model and size of the system. It cannot say no. It also cannot charge a fee for the device or for the power it feeds into your building. It cannot demand extra equipment either.
Can my landlord or HOA say no to balcony solar in California?
The law does not stop them. SB 868 has no rules about landlords, renters or HOAs. That means your lease or HOA rules still count. If you rent, ask your landlord in writing before you buy. Read our renters guide for a simple checklist. Whether older California solar-rights laws help here is not clear, so ask a local expert.
Do I get paid for power I send to the grid in California?
SB 868 does not set any payment for extra power. The system is meant to cover what your home uses on site. So plan on savings, not a check. Think of it as a way to cut what you use from the grid. Our savings guide shows how to estimate what a small system saves, based on your own sun and your own rates.
What does a balcony solar kit need to be legal in California?
It must be certified as a plug-in solar system by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or an equivalent national testing lab. The law also asks for a certified feature that cuts it off from the building in an outage. The text says "plug-in photovoltaic system" and does not name a standard. In practice, that points to UL 3700, but that is our reading, not the law's words. See kits sold in the US.
What can I do in California today?
Learn, but do not plug in yet. Read what balcony solar is and check your sun. Ask your utility if it has a sign-up page planned. Wait for certified kits before you buy. News reports say shelves may fill up in 2027, but that is a guess. From 2030, the law also bars selling plug-in devices that fail its safety rules.
The quick version
- SB 868 is signed. It starts January 1, 2027.
- The cap is 1,200 W per home, with no utility approval and no fees.
- Your utility may ask for a simple online sign-up.
- The law says nothing about landlords or HOAs, so ask first.