Is my plug-in solar kit legal in California?

From Jan 1, 2027, SB 868 covers plug-in solar systems that meet four requirements, based on the enacted text as quoted by Plug-in Solar Hub:^{[source][source]}

1. All the plug-in devices at your home add up to no more than 1,200 W AC.
2. The complete system is certified as a plug-in photovoltaic system by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.
3. It has a certified feature that stops it sending power into the grid during an outage.
4. It is designed to connect to and disconnect from your home's wiring through a receptacle.

As of March 2026, no commercially available balcony solar system had achieved certification,^[source] so for most kits today the honest answer to question 2 is "Not sure". Kits certified under the current UL framework may also need a special receptacle on a dedicated circuit.^[source] See UL 3700 explained for what certification covers.

Add up your devices

The limit is 1,200 W AC for all plug-in solar devices at your home together. Enter each device’s maximum AC output (from the inverter’s spec sheet).

Device 1 (W AC)Device 2 (W AC)Device 3 (W AC)

Total: 0 W of 1,200 W.

Even if a kit looks eligible, you still need permission from your landlord or HOA if you have one,^[source] and your utility may ask you to register it through a simple online form.^[source] That includes city and other public utilities such as LADWP and SMUD, which SB 868 covers too.^[source] See the full SB 868 explainer, or browse kits and their sourced status in the kit tracker. Before you pay, run through our before-you-buy checklist.