Lawmakers in more than half of U.S. states have introduced bills to allow plug-and-play solar panels on balconies and similar spaces. These DIY systems aim to help renters and homeowners reduce electricity bills amid rising costs. Utah leads with a law passed in March 2025, while 27 states and Washington, D.C., are considering similar measures.
Balcony solar, or plug-in solar panels that connect to standard wall outlets, is gaining traction in U.S. state legislatures. Republican and Democratic lawmakers in 27 states and the District of Columbia have announced legislation to permit these systems without lengthy utility approvals, according to the nonprofit Bright Saver. This push comes as utility bills rise, exacerbating cost-of-living pressures nationwide.
In Utah, the first state to explicitly allow such installations, a law passed in March 2025 eliminated the need for interconnection agreements if devices are certified safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. A few thousand households there have adopted the technology so far. Elsewhere, users like Lauren Phillips in the Bronx, New York, have installed panels—such as her 220-watt unit secured with zip ties—despite regulatory gray areas. Provided free by Bright Saver, it generates 15 to 20 percent of her family's electricity, saving about $100 annually. "Everywhere you turn, things are only getting more expensive," Phillips said.
New York Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Democrat and renter herself, introduced a bill in September to enable small-scale solar. An 800-watt unit costing $1,099 could power a fridge or small appliances, reducing average household bills by $279 per year, potentially rising to $327 by 2035. "People are extremely enthusiastic about it," Gallagher noted.
Similar efforts include Missouri Republican Rep. Mark Matthiesen's December bill, which could save families $30 to $40 monthly and break even in 25 months. Matthiesen, who installed rooftop solar in 2024, said, "If people can buy something to invest in themselves, to save them money down the road, then we as a government just need to let people do that."
Utilities have opposed some proposals, citing safety risks like grid overload, but advocates argue that systems capped at 1,200 watts produce power mostly consumed on-site. Bills in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, and Illinois appear likely to pass, while California's is in committee. In Europe, up to 4 million German households use these panels, available via retailers like Ikea. UL Solutions began a testing protocol in January to support safer adoption.
For Phillips, a Bronx native hospitalized with asthma last year, the technology addresses environmental justice in polluted areas. "Anything that we can do to green our power grid, to reduce pollution, is a matter of justice," she said. Bright Saver co-founder Cora Stryker reports growing momentum, with some lawmakers introducing bills independently.
