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Is plug-in solar legal in Indiana?
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Signed
- In effect
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Apply for interconnection like any small generator (Level 1 inverter-based <=10 kW (rising to 25 kW)), typical fee $0.
- 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 SB 74 this year: No hearing; inactive; deferred to 2027.
What the rules say
Indiana's 2026 bills died in committee; plug-in systems remain subject to rooftop-style interconnection rules.
Before you plug in: Indiana checklist
- The rule that applies is Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's interconnection process: 170 IAC 4-4.3 (RM 24-01 final order 9/30/2025).
- A plug-in kit falls in the smallest tier (Level 1 inverter-based <=10 kW (rising to 25 kW)). $0 Level 1 ('a utility shall not charge an application or other fee ... Level 1').
- Permits: Local permit; 2017 NEC residential.
- 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: EDG credit 1.25x prior-year wholesale (~3 c/kWh), instantaneous netting.
- If approval is slow or costly, a portable panel and power station (never connected to house wiring) needs no permission.
- Watch SB 74 / HB 1084: No hearing; inactive; deferred to 2027.
The rules in detail
Indiana has no statute specific to plug-in solar (the only bill so far is HB 1084 / SB 74). Average residential electricity price: 16.73¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026).
- Sponsor: Rep. Carey Hamilton (HB 1084); Sen. J.D. Ford (SB 74).
Your utility's rules in Indiana
No utility in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Indiana | 796,265 | No specific statement. |
| AES Indiana | 469,499 | No specific statement. |
| NIPSCO | 430,648 | 'no application fee for Level 1 for systems 10 kW and below'. source |
| Indiana Michigan Power | 422,062 | No specific statement. |
Interconnection terms for a sub-1.2 kW system
| Regulator | Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. |
|---|---|
| Governing rule | 170 IAC 4-4.3 (RM 24-01 final order 9/30/2025). |
| Smallest tier | Level 1 inverter-based <=10 kW (rising to 25 kW). |
| Application fee | $0 Level 1 ('a utility shall not charge an application or other fee ... Level 1'). |
| Electrician / permit | Local permit; 2017 NEC residential. |
| Export compensation | EDG credit 1.25x prior-year wholesale (~3 c/kWh), instantaneous netting. |
| Electrical code | 2017 NEC (1-2 family); 2008 commercial; 2023 update pending. |
- Level 1 is free but EDG ~3 c/kWh.
- Supermajority let bipartisan bills die without hearings two years running.
Plug-in solar bills in Indiana, 2025–2026
| Bill | Sponsor | Status | What it would do |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 74 | Sen. J.D. Ford (D); coauthors Sens. Doriot (R), Deery (R) | No hearing; inactive; deferred to 2027. | Plug-in home solar units <=1,200 W exempt from DG/interconnection rules; no fees; liability shield. |
| HB 1084 | Reps. Carey Hamilton, Pfaff, Pressel (bipartisan) | No hearing; inactive. | Companion; effective 7/1/2026 as introduced. |
State incentives
- Property-tax deduction IC 6-1.1-12-26.
- No credit or sales-tax exemption.
Who is pushing for a law
- Hoosier Environmental Council
- Citizens Action Coalition
- Solar United Neighbors Indiana
- Indiana Distributed Energy Alliance
Savings preview: 800 W kit in Indiana
Adjust for your setup →≈ $139/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Indiana?
Not yet. Indiana considered a plug-in solar bill (HB 1084 / SB 74) that did not pass in 2026; a new version is expected. Until then, utility interconnection rules apply.
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in Indiana?
Default. Check with your local building department before you plug in.
Do I have to tell my utility in Indiana?
Default: same interconnection agreements as rooftop solar (HEC). Plugging in a grid-tied kit without following this can breach your service agreement.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in Indiana?
Roughly 832 kWh and about $139 per year at Indiana's average residential rate of 16.73¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.