Plug-in solar went from one state to ten in about a year and a half. The rules differ a lot from state to state. This list is as of October 2026. It is not legal advice, so check your state page and your utility's page before you buy.
Which states have signed balcony solar laws?
Ten. Utah: HB 340, signed in March 2025, in force May 7, 2025, up to 1,200 W. Maine: LD 1730, signed April 6, 2026, in force July 29, 2026, 420 W easy or up to 1,200 W with an electrician. Virginia: SB 250 and HB 395, signed April 22, 2026, starts January 1, 2027, up to 1,200 W. Colorado: HB26-1007, signed May 7, 2026, in force August 12, 2026, up to 1,920 W. Maryland: HB 1532, signed May 12, 2026, plug-in section in force from about July 1, 2026, up to 1,200 W.
Which other states have signed laws?
Connecticut: HB 5340, signed June 4, 2026, in force October 1, 2026, up to 1,200 W. Vermont: S.202, signed June 16, 2026, in force July 1, 2026, up to 1,200 W, UL 3700 and a smart meter. New Hampshire: SB 540, signed July 2, 2026, starts January 1, 2027, up to 1,200 W. New Jersey: S2368 / A4836, signed September 1, 2026, starts about March 1, 2027 per news reports, up to 1,200 W. California: SB 868, signed September 30, 2026, starts January 1, 2027, up to 1,200 W.
Which balcony solar laws are in force today?
Six: Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine and Vermont. Even there, parts of the rules differ. Colorado's renter and HOA protections start January 1, 2027. Maryland and Maine ask for notice to the utility in some cases. Vermont needs UL 3700 gear and a smart meter. The four that start in 2027 are California, Virginia, New Hampshire and New Jersey. Do not plug in a grid-tied kit in those four until the start date.
Which state bill has passed but is not signed?
New York. The SUNNY Act (A9111-C / S8512-C) passed both houses in May 2026. As of October 21, 2026, it had not been delivered to Governor Hochul, and she had not signed or vetoed it. If it becomes law, it would start 90 days later. Read the New York guide. Until she acts, treat it as not legal.
Which states have bills still pending?
These are alive but not law. Pennsylvania: HB 1971 is in the House Energy Committee, and its latest status past December 2025 is unconfirmed. Massachusetts: the energy bill H 5175 is in conference. Ohio: HB 755 and SB 383 were in energy committees as of May 2026. Michigan: HB 5764 was sent to House Energy in March 2026. Illinois: SB 3104 moved in committee, and a later re-referral is unconfirmed. North Carolina: HB 1129 was sent to House Rules in April 2026. Washington, D.C.: B26-0602 had a hearing in March 2026.
Which states tried in 2026 and failed?
Washington, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Carolina, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Oregon, New Mexico, Georgia, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa and Missouri. West Virginia's bill also reportedly died, but we could not confirm it on an official site. Rhode Island's House passed its bill 70 to 0, and the Senate never acted. Delaware adopted a study, with a report due January 2027. A failed bill must be filed again.
Which states have no bill at all?
We found no bill in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas or Wisconsin. A proposal is reportedly in development in Wisconsin. We could not run an official full-text search, so "found none" is not proof. Check again each legislative session.
Why do state trackers disagree?
Some lists are out of date. A few miss New Jersey and California, which were signed in September 2026, so they count eight states, not ten. Others give the wrong signing date for Connecticut, New Hampshire, Virginia or Maine. Some say New York's bill was sent to the governor, but it has not been delivered. We use official legislature and governor pages first, and we say when we are unsure.
What should I do next?
Find your state page above. Learn what balcony solar is. Check what it could save you, and see kits sold in the US. If you rent, read the renters guide. Only a few laws name UL 3700, so also read our UL 3700 guide.
The quick version
- Ten states have signed balcony solar laws.
- In force now: Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont.
- Starting in 2027: California, Virginia, New Hampshire, New Jersey.
- New York has passed a bill but the governor has not acted.