Balcony solar in Utah
In effect since May 2025. Utah’s law is HB 340. An 800 W kit on a south-facing railing saves about $83 a year here and pays for itself in about 8.4 years.
Last checked October 6, 2026
What Utah’s law says
- Utah passed the first US plug-in solar law in 2025.
- It covers systems up to 1,200 W that plug into a standard 120-volt outlet.
- Kits must be certified by UL or a similar lab.
- Qualifying kits need no utility approval and no interconnection fees.
What that means right now
The law is in effect. The catch is certification: in August 2026 the City of Provo noted that no complete system had yet earned the certification the law requires. Certified parts started arriving in July 2026, so check what exactly is certified before you buy.
If you rent or have an HOA
The law deals with utilities, not landlords. Get your landlord’s or HOA’s OK first. Renters guide.
What a kit saves in Utah
Estimates at Utah’s average power price (13.2¢/kWh), 250 W of always-on use at home, extra power counted as $0.
| Setup | Makes per year | Saves per year | Paid back in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 W, south-facing railing ($700) | 850 kWh | $83 | 8.4 yrs |
| 800 W, east or west railing ($700) | 646 kWh | $66 | 10.6 yrs |
| 800 W, south, tilted stand ($700) | 1,280 kWh | $98 | 7.1 yrs |
| 1,200 W, south-facing railing ($1,000) | 1,275 kWh | $94 | 10.6 yrs |
Month by month (800 W, south railing)
A panel hanging straight up does best when the sun is low, so winter months hold up better than you’d expect.
Utah’s power is among the cheapest in the country, so payback takes longer here than in coastal states even with plenty of sun.
Before you buy
- Confirm the law applies on the date you want to plug in.
- Buy a kit certified to the standard the law requires. UL 3700 explained.
- Stay within the size limit.
- Get your landlord’s or HOA’s OK in writing.
- Check your spot: direction, shade, and a solid railing or stand.
Utah: common questions
Is balcony solar legal in Utah?
In effect since May 2025. The law is HB 340.
How much can balcony solar save in Utah?
About $83 a year for an 800 W kit on a south-facing railing, at Utah's average power price of 13.2¢ per kWh. On a tilted stand facing south, about $98.
How long does it take to pay back in Utah?
About 8.4 years for a $700 kit on a south-facing railing, before power prices rise. Rising prices shorten that.
How many sun hours does Utah get?
About 5.3 peak sun hours a day on average across the year, at a typical location in the state.
Can my landlord or HOA stop me in Utah?
The law deals with utilities, not landlords. Get your landlord’s or HOA’s OK first.
Sources
- City of Provo, Balcony Solar in Provo: Understanding H.B. 340, revised August 11, 2026.
- Solar.com, 2026 Guide to Balcony & Plug-In Solar (state law table, updated October 1, 2026).
- Electricity prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (March 2026 data).
- Production and savings: our calculation method.