Solar you can plug into a wall. Legal in 7 states and counting.

A small solar kit (usually one to four panels and a microinverter) that plugs into a standard wall outlet and feeds power into your home circuits, lowering what you draw from the grid. In Europe it is called balcony solar, and millions of units are installed in Germany alone.

It depends on your state. As of 2026-10-17, 7 states have plug-in solar laws in force and 3 more take effect in 2027. These laws exempt small certified systems (usually up to 1,200 W) from utility interconnection and permit rules. Everywhere else, plugging a grid-tied kit into an outlet falls under your utility's interconnection agreement, which normally requires approval. See the state-by-state map.

A typical 800 W kit produces roughly 900 to 1,400 kWh a year depending on where you live and how it is mounted. At US electricity prices that is usually $120 to $400 a year, which means a payback of three to eight years on a $500 to $1,500 kit. Use the savings calculator for your state.

In states with a plug-in solar law, certified systems under the wattage cap generally do not require a permit or a licensed installer, though a few states (Maine, Colorado) draw a line around 400 W above which an electrician is required. Elsewhere, your utility may require an interconnection application and inspection. A dedicated 20 A circuit for the kit is a sensible safety practice in any state.