In this guide
Short answer: not yet. As of October 22, 2026, Ohio has no plug-in solar law. HB 755, introduced in March 2026, would allow certified plug-in kits modeled on Utah's 1,200 W law, but it is still in committee and the session ends on December 31, 2026. Today, a grid-tied kit needs your utility's interconnection approval.
- Status
- Bill in committee; not law
- Bill
- HB 755 (Reps. Rader and Glassburn)
- Model
- Utah's law (1,200 W, certified, no utility approval)
- What applies today
- Utility interconnection rules
- Average price
- About 19.5¢/kWh (July 2026)
What HB 755 would do
State Representatives Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) and Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted) announced the bill on March 11, 2026. They described it as a way for renters and apartment residents to cut bills with solar that "works like an appliance". The bill mirrors Utah's law: small devices plugged into a standard outlet, required to meet the National Electrical Code and certified testing standards, without the interconnection process that rooftop systems need. Read how Utah's law works.
Session deadline
Ohio's 136th General Assembly ends on December 31, 2026. A bill that hasn't passed both chambers by then dies, and sponsors would need to file it again in 2027. As of our check, HB 755 hadn't had a committee vote. We'll update this page and the state map.
What applies today
AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities (Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison), Duke Energy Ohio and AES Ohio connect customer solar through the PUCO's interconnection rules, which require an application and approval before you switch on. Read do you need to tell your utility?
Plugging an unapproved grid-tied kit into an outlet in a state without a law may break your utility's terms of service, your lease and possibly your insurance terms. It also earns nothing for exported power.
Options while you wait
- Shop your supplier: Ohio's Energy Choice program lets you pick who supplies your electricity, which can save as much as a small kit.
- A power station with a panel for outages; it needs no approval. See plug-in solar vs a power station.
- Ask your landlord now if you rent, so you're ready if the law passes. See the request letter.
What a kit could save in Ohio
Ohio's average residential price was about 19.5 cents per kWh in July 2026 (EIA). Ohio customers can choose their generation supplier, which affects the per-kWh value of a kit.
| Setup | Produced per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~310 kWh | ~$57 |
| 800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~610 kWh | ~$96 |
| 800 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~980 kWh | ~$152 |
| 1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,460 kWh | ~$185 |
Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 19.4¢/kWh. Try your numbers with the calculator, preset for Ohio.
Frequently asked questions
Is balcony solar legal in Ohio?
Not under a specific law. HB 755, introduced in March 2026 by Representatives Tristan Rader and Chris Glassburn, would allow plug-in solar modeled on Utah's law, but it is still in committee. Today a grid-tied kit needs your utility's interconnection approval.
What would Ohio's HB 755 do?
According to its sponsors, it would let Ohioans use small solar devices that plug into a standard outlet, modeled on Utah's 1,200 W law, while requiring them to meet the National Electrical Code and certified testing standards.
What happens to HB 755 at the end of 2026?
Ohio's 136th General Assembly ends on December 31, 2026. Bills that haven't passed die and must be reintroduced in 2027.
How much could a balcony solar kit save in Ohio?
At about 19.5 cents per kWh, a well-placed 800 W kit could save roughly $95 to $150 a year.
Update log
- Page published. Status: bill in committee.
Sources and official texts