{
  "id": 15202718,
  "title": "Plug-in solar is legal in these 10 states now – how it could save you money",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/plug-in-solar-is-legal-in-these-10-states-now-how-it-could-save-you",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-17T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ZDNet",
    "slug": "zdnet",
    "url": "https://www.zdnet.com/uncategorized/plug-in-solar-balcony-solar-legalization-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Plug-in solar systems are quickly gaining acceptance in ten US states as a cost-effective, legal method of generating electricity. Utah was the first to legalize this technology, but other states have followed suit, with more in the works. Plug-in solar systems, also known as backyard solar, are easy-to-install, plug-and-play setups consisting of solar panels, an inverter, and a battery. These systems connect to a home’s standard 120-volt outlet, automatically routing solar-generated electricity from the battery to the nearest running appliance.\n\nCurrently, about two dozen states are working on legalizing plug-in solar systems, with bills stalled until the next legislative session in 2027 or facing committee hearings. Some states, including Massachusetts and New York, have already passed legislation, while others like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, DC, have their bills pending approval. However, plug-in solar bills have been unsuccessful in Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.\n\nLegislation focusing on preventing utility companies from blocking plug-in solar projects aims to ensure homeowners can legally set up these systems without facing regulatory hurdles. However, bans on these systems by landlords or HOAs are not preempted by these bills. Despite the benefits of plug-in solar systems, traditional American homes are not designed to receive power from a standard wall outlet, and rooftop solar systems are professionally installed to safely integrate harvested energy into the home’s electrical panel. Installing plug-in solar systems bypasses this design, potentially posing safety risks and causing concerns for utility companies, which stand to lose revenue if consumers rely less on their services.",
  "summary": "So-called balcony solar setups are becoming legal across the US. Here’s the latest.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}