Balcony Solar in California: SB 868 and What Changes in 2027

Short answer: from January 1, 2027, Californians can plug in a certified solar device of up to 1,200 W per dwelling without an interconnection agreement, utility approval or fees. Utilities may ask you to register it. The law doesn't guarantee payment for exported power, doesn't override your lease or HOA, and the exemption runs until January 1, 2030 unless extended.

Status

Signed Sept 30, 2026; starts Jan 1, 2027

Law

SB 868, Plug and Play Solar Act (Sen. Scott Wiener)

Maximum output

1,200 W AC per dwelling

Utility role

May require notice or registration; no approval or fees

Sunset

January 1, 2030, unless extended

Average power price

~33.6¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026)

California is roughly the tenth state to act, but by far the biggest: millions of renters and apartment dwellers, and electricity prices nearly double the national average. That combination makes plug-in solar pay off faster here than almost anywhere outside Hawaii. See the 50-state map for other states.

What SB 868 requires

• Output of no more than 1,200 W AC per dwelling.
• Compliance with the National and California Electrical Codes.
• Certification by UL or an equivalent lab as a plug-in PV system. A kit without a recognized plug-in certification doesn't qualify.
• Designed to offset your own consumption, not to sell power.
• Automatic shutdown within seconds of a grid outage.

Registration with PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, LADWP and others

Qualifying devices are exempt from interconnection agreements, utility approval, extra equipment and fees. Utilities, including municipal utilities such as LADWP and SMUD, may still require you to notify them. Senator Wiener's office expects that to be a free online registration form. As of October 2026 utilities had not published their forms; we'll link them here when they do.

Savings at California prices

California's average residential price of about 33.6¢/kWh is the second-highest in the country after Hawaii, and many households on tiered or time-of-use plans pay more. Estimated savings, using 80% self-use for 800 W:

An $800 to $1,000 kit in a sunny spot can pay for itself in roughly 3 to 5 years. Time-of-use plans peak from 4 to 9 p.m., after solar output falls, so a kit with a small battery can add value. See how much balcony solar saves and the calculator preset for California.

Renters, condos and HOAs in California

SB 868 does not override leases, CC&Rs or building rules about what can be attached to a railing. California's older Solar Rights Act limits how HOAs can restrict solar energy systems, but whether it covers a removable balcony kit hasn't been tested. The safe route is written permission. Our guides on HOA rules and landlords show how to ask.

Before you buy

• Choose a kit with a plug-in PV certification (UL 3700 is the clearest). See the buying guide.
• Don't connect it before January 1, 2027. Until then, normal interconnection rules apply.
• Remember there's no federal tax credit: the 25D residential clean energy credit ended for purchases after December 31, 2025.

Frequently asked questions