Plug a solar panel into your wall. See where the power goes.
Balcony solar is a small solar kit you hang on a railing and plug into an ordinary outlet. No roof, no installer. Here’s how it works, where it’s allowed, and when it pays for itself.
Where balcony solar is legal
Ten states have signed plug-in solar laws. In six of them the law is already in effect. California, Virginia, New Hampshire and New Jersey follow in 2027, and New York’s bill is waiting on the governor.
Grey doesn’t mean banned. In states without a law, your utility’s normal rules for connecting solar apply. That usually means an application and approval, the same as a rooftop system.
See every state · Last checked October 6, 2026
What a kit saves, state by state
An 800 W kit hanging on a south-facing railing, 250 W of always-on use at home, $700 kit price. Your own numbers will differ; the calculator takes about a minute.
| State | Law | Power price | Saves per year | Paid back in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Signed, starts later | 33.4¢ | $207 | 3.4 yrs |
| Connecticut | Legal, in effect | 30.5¢ | $157 | 4.5 yrs |
| Maine | Legal, in effect | 28.3¢ | $146 | 4.8 yrs |
| New York | Waiting on governor | 28.6¢ | $143 | 4.9 yrs |
| New Hampshire | Signed, starts later | 26.9¢ | $139 | 5 yrs |
| New Jersey | Signed, starts later | 23.5¢ | $125 | 5.6 yrs |
| Vermont | Legal, in effect | 24.1¢ | $121 | 5.8 yrs |
| Maryland | Legal, in effect | 22.2¢ | $118 | 5.9 yrs |
| Colorado | Legal, in effect | 16.7¢ | $104 | 6.7 yrs |
| Virginia | Signed, starts later | 17.1¢ | $93 | 7.6 yrs |
| Utah | Legal, in effect | 13.2¢ | $83 | 8.4 yrs |
Your electricity price matters more than your sunshine. That’s why cloudy Connecticut beats sunny Utah.
Start with the question you have
- What is balcony solar, really?What’s in the box, what happens when you plug it in, and what it can’t do.
- When do I get my money back?Payback by state, and how many hours of sun it takes.
- Does my balcony face the right way?Watch the sun move around a building and see what each direction makes.
- I rent. Can I do this?What the laws say about landlords, and what to ask first.
Quick answers
Do I need an electrician?
No. In states with a plug-in solar law, a certified kit is meant to be set up by you: mount the panel, plug it in. If your outlet or wiring is old or damaged, have it checked first.
Will it work on a north-facing balcony?
It works, but it makes roughly a third of what the same panel makes facing south. In most states that's too little to pay back. See which direction works.
Can I take it with me when I move?
Yes. Nothing is wired in. Unplug it, unclip the mount, and it goes with you.
Is it safe?
A certified kit shuts itself off within a fraction of a second when you unplug it or when the grid goes down. That's what the new UL 3700 standard tests for. How UL 3700 works.