Inverters, grid connection and plug-in solar
Which U.S. States Allow Balcony Solar as of September 2026?
Summary
Utah is the one state we could confirm with a plug-in solar law already in effect. Virginia's takes effect January 1, 2027. California and New York lawmakers have passed bills, but neither governor has signed yet. Every one of these measures caps devices at 1,200 watts, and there is no national rule.
Where the four states stand
| State | Law or bill | Status | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | Utah Code 54-15-601 and related definition (2025) | In effect since May 7, 2025 | 1,200 W |
| Virginia | Code §56-596.8 (2026 Acts, chapters 998 and 1052) | Takes effect January 1, 2027 | 1,200 W per customer, per unit in multifamily housing |
| California | SB 868 | Presented to the governor August 31, 2026; no signature or veto yet | 1,200 W aggregated AC output per dwelling |
| New York | A9111C / S8512C | Passed both houses May 28, 2026; not signed | 1,200 W continuous AC inverter output to the grid |
A June 2026 analysis by the California Assembly's utilities committee says roughly half the states had or have pending legislation modeled on Utah's, and that efforts in Washington and Arizona faltered over safety concerns.
What Utah's law actually does
A qualifying device is exempt from Utah's interconnection requirements and interconnection agreements, and it falls outside the net metering program. The utility may not require approval before you install or use it, charge a fee related to it, or demand controls or equipment beyond what is built in. The same section says the utility is not liable for damage or injury caused by the device.
Virginia adds a notice step
Virginia also bars approval requirements, fees, and extra equipment, but customers must notify their utility before installation using a form set by the State Corporation Commission, online or by mail. The utility has 15 days to review it; silence counts as compliance. Where a property has more than one device, or the distribution circuit requires it, the utility may install an automatic, locking disconnect switch. The section does not apply to rental units billed through a ratio utility billing system.
Sources
- Utah Code §54-15-601 (effective 5/7/2025)
- Utah Code §54-15-102 (effective 5/7/2025)
- Code of Virginia §56-596.8 (effective January 1, 2027)
- LegiScan — California SB 868 (history; enrolled text, August 28, 2026)
- California Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy — SB 868 analysis (hearing June 10, 2026)
- New York State Senate — S8512C
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