Where plug-in solar is legal: state-by-state tracker

What these laws usually cover

The tracked laws address system size, product safety and, in some states, renter or HOA restrictions. Most signed laws set a 1,200 W limit; Colorado sets 1,920 W, and Maine sets 420 W without conditions and up to 1,200 W with a licensed electrician. California, Maine and New Hampshire specify AC inverter output and Vermont limits inverter capacity, while the other signed laws do not say whether the limit is AC or DC output.

Utility approval exemptions and utility notice are separate questions. Bright Saver describes exemptions from utility interconnection requirements and approvals as a common legislative goal, alongside defining small systems and requiring safety certifications. That summary does not establish each state's notice requirements, fees or export-payment rules; check the state row and its sources rather than assuming the same treatment everywhere.

Maine, New Jersey and Vermont name UL 3700 with a comparable or equivalent alternative, but that does not establish that a particular kit is listed to the standard. Renter and HOA protections also vary by state. A protection in a signed law that is not yet in effect should not be treated as an effective protection today.

• Renter protections: Colorado bars unreasonable prohibitions, New Jersey bars landlord bans for tenants who pay for their own electricity, and Vermont lets a landlord set reasonable restrictions after a tenant's notice; the other signed laws do not protect renters from a lease ban.
• HOA or covenant protections: Colorado, New Jersey and Vermont prohibit bans on plug-in solar.

Recently signed and taking effect next

California, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Vermont are the most recently signed entries in the tracker. Vermont's law is in effect; the other three are signed but not yet in effect. The Recently signed list shows the signing dates separately from the effective dates.

California, New Hampshire and Virginia take effect next, followed by New Jersey. Use the Takes effect next list for the dates rather than treating a governor's signature as permission to use a system immediately. New York's S 8512A / A 9111C passed the legislature but awaits the governor's signature.

How each state row is checked

Each state row is checked against the legislature's bill page first, with the Bright Saver tracker as a secondary source. The check date for this page is October 14, 2026. Some signing or effective dates are available here only through Bright Saver, and those dates retain that attribution.

Where sources disagree, both are shown rather than silently choosing one. For example, this site's status count has 6 pending bills and 18 states expected back in 2027; Bright Saver reports 2 states with active bills and 21 aiming to reintroduce bills in 2027. These are different reported categories and totals, so the individual state record is the place to check a bill's status.