California Lawmakers Greenlight Solar Panels You Can Plug Into the Wall

California lawmakers have greenlit plug-in balcony solar systems, granting residents the ability to connect small solar panels to a standard wall outlet following a simple online registration. The legislation, SB 868, passed both the state assembly and senate with bipartisan support and now awaits the governor's signature. These systems, ranging from $300 to $2200, will cater to renters, those with unsuitable roofs, and individuals lacking the financial means to install a traditional rooftop system.

If Governor Newsom signs the bill, plug-in solar devices will bypass the cumbersome and costly interconnection application process, instead requiring only a free and straightforward online registration. The devices are limited to generating 1,200 watts per home, must plug into a standard outlet, offset a customer's onsite electricity use, and adhere to state and national electrical codes.

They also require certification from an outside safety organization like Underwriters Laboratories and feature a mechanism preventing electricity from feeding back into the grid during a power outage.