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Is plug-in solar legal in Arkansas?
No specific law
Arkansas has no plug-in solar law. Plugging a kit into an outlet falls under your utility's interconnection rules, which usually require approval.
Max system sizeNo capsmallest tier: Residential <= lesser of 25 kW or prior-12-month peak
Electrician / permitPermit and inspectionutility rules apply
Tell the utility?Interconnection applicationtypical fee $196
CertificationUL 1741 inverterrequired by every utility
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Apply for interconnection like any small generator (Residential <= lesser of 25 kW or prior-12-month peak), typical fee $196.
- Use portable panels with a power station, never connected to house wiring, with no permission at all.
- Install conventional rooftop or ground-mount solar through the standard interconnection process.
✕ Not yet / not allowed
- Plug a grid-tied kit into an outlet without an interconnection agreement; it can breach your service terms.
- Expect a permit or wiring exemption; none exists without a law.
- Count on a law soon: no plug-in solar bill has been filed.
What the rules say
No plug-in solar law or bill in Arkansas; utility interconnection rules apply.
No law doesn't mean no rules. In Arkansas, a kit that pushes power back into your home wiring is treated like any other grid-connected generator. Most utilities require an interconnection application, and plugging in without one can breach your service agreement. Off-grid use (panels charging a battery that powers devices directly) avoids this entirely.
Before you plug in: Arkansas checklist
- The rule that applies is Arkansas Public Service Commission's interconnection process: APSC Net-Metering Rules (Docket 23-021-R, Order 7, 2023; Act 278 of 2023); no separate statewide interconnection procedure (FTG grade F).
- A plug-in kit falls in the smallest tier (Residential <= lesser of 25 kW or prior-12-month peak). Entergy $196.75 (Schedule 71); co-ops $320.
- Permits: NEC/local code compliance; no explicit electrician rule on Entergy page; 2026 NEC statewide 9/3/2026.
- Only consider kits with a UL 1741-listed inverter (UL 3700 preferred); a non-listed inverter will not be approved anywhere.
- What exports are worth: Net billing at avoided cost (~3.3 c/kWh) for facilities after 9/30/2024.
- If approval is slow or costly, a portable panel and power station (never connected to house wiring) needs no permission.
- No plug-in solar bill has been filed yet; the nearby states that passed laws in 2026 are the template to expect.
The rules in detail
Arkansas has no statute specific to plug-in solar. Average residential electricity price: 14.33¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026).
Your utility's rules in Arkansas
No utility in Arkansas publishes a rule that specifically allows or bans outlet-connected generation, so the general interconnection agreement is what applies. Here is what the largest residential utilities say and require.
| Utility | Residential customers | Published position on plug-in kits |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy Arkansas | 608,362 | No specific statement; signed interconnection agreement required '30 days prior to interconnection' plus utility-approved manual disconnect. source |
| SWEPCO | 108,102 | No specific statement. |
| Carroll Electric Cooperative | 101,154 | No specific statement. source |
| First Electric Cooperative | 95,175 | No specific statement; '$320 ... must be remitted prior to interconnecting the net metering facility'. source |
Interconnection terms for a sub-1.2 kW system
| Regulator | Arkansas Public Service Commission. |
|---|---|
| Governing rule | APSC Net-Metering Rules (Docket 23-021-R, Order 7, 2023; Act 278 of 2023); no separate statewide interconnection procedure (FTG grade F). |
| Smallest tier | Residential <= lesser of 25 kW or prior-12-month peak. |
| Application fee | Entergy $196.75 (Schedule 71); co-ops $320. |
| Electrician / permit | NEC/local code compliance; no explicit electrician rule on Entergy page; 2026 NEC statewide 9/3/2026. |
| Export compensation | Net billing at avoided cost (~3.3 c/kWh) for facilities after 9/30/2024. |
| Electrical code | 2026 NEC (eff. 9/3/2026). |
In practice
- Exports from any new system worth ~3 c/kWh; self-consumption is the only value.
- Early 2026 NEC adoption means AHJs work from the first edition recognizing plug-in PV, but no guidance exists yet.
State incentives
- None found.
Who is pushing for a law
- Arkansas Advanced Energy Association
- Audubon Delta
Savings preview: 800 W kit in Arkansas
Adjust for your setup →≈ $128/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Arkansas?
Arkansas has no plug-in solar law. Plugging a kit into an outlet falls under your utility's interconnection rules, which usually require approval.
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in Arkansas?
Default. Check with your local building department before you plug in.
Do I have to tell my utility in Arkansas?
Default tariff applies. Plugging in a grid-tied kit without following this can breach your service agreement.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in Arkansas?
Roughly 896 kWh and about $128 per year at Arkansas's average residential rate of 14.33¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.