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In context: California lawmakers have passed a bill that would make it easier for residents to use small solar systems that plug into standard electrical outlets. The measure, SB 868, would create rules for plug-in solar systems, often called balcony solar. The devices are small enough to be mounted on a balcony, placed in a yard, or installed on a roof. They are intended to offset electricity used inside a home without requiring the wiring work and installation costs associated with rooftop solar.
The bill cleared the Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support on Wednesday night and now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom. If he signs it, compatible systems could be available in California by spring 2027, according to staff in state Senator Scott Wiener's office.
The legislation would allow qualifying systems to generate up to 1,200 watts per home. They would need to plug into a standard outlet, comply with state and national electrical codes, carry certification from an outside safety group such as Underwriters Laboratories, and include equipment that prevents power from flowing back to the grid during an outage.
