States Weigh Bills to Allow Plug-In Solar Power

Legislation aims to make small solar systems more accessible to homeowners and renters.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Twenty-four states are now considering legislation to allow small, plug-in solar power systems that connect directly into a wall socket, eliminating one of the technology's biggest barriers in the United States. The bills would enable homeowners or renters to install these affordable, easy-to-use solar panels without approval from their local utility.

Why it matters

The plug-in solar bills offer a rare legislative opportunity with zero cost to the government while appealing to the public's desire to lower electricity costs. These systems are much cheaper than traditional rooftop solar and don't require complicated installation or an electrician, potentially speeding up adoption of renewable energy.

The details

The plug-in solar panels, which typically measure 3-5 feet on each side, capture sunlight that is converted by an inverter into AC power and fed through a plug into a standard wall outlet. This reduces the amount of electricity a household draws from the utility. The bills include a requirement that the systems be certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or an equivalent testing lab for safety. Some of UL's proposed certification criteria could slow growth of the industry if included in the final standards.

  • Last year, Utah became the first state to pass a law allowing plug-in solar systems.
  • In the months since, 23 other states have announced similar bills, including California and New York.

The players

Utah State Rep. Raymond Ward

A Republican who was inspired to propose his state's plug-in solar bill by the growing popularity of balcony solar units in Germany.

Iowa State Rep. Sean Bagniewski

A Democrat who sponsored plug-in solar legislation in Des Moines after hearing about Utah's success.

New York State Sen. Liz Krueger

A Democrat who introduced plug-in solar legislation in New York after learning about Utah's law.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

A private company that develops product safety standards and has released preliminary certification criteria for plug-in solar systems.

GismoPower

An early plug-in solar company that has developed a prototype of a solar panel system roughly the size of a parking space that plugs into a high-power outlet.

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What they’re saying

“The momentum is coming from the fact this is so easy to understand. People are like, oh, I can just buy that and plug it in? Oh yes, I want one of those. And then they're turning to their representatives to say, why can't I have it here? What needs to change?”

— Utah State Rep. Raymond Ward (New York Times)

“It's kind of a great legislative combination of something that's super popular, in the public mind right now, and doesn't have a lot of natural opposition.”

— Justin Flagg, Director of communications and environmental policy for New York State Sen. Liz Kreuger (New York Times)

“We want to keep people safe. That's first and foremost in our minds at all times.”

— Ken Boyce, Vice president at UL Solutions (New York Times)

What’s next

UL Solutions is 'actively evaluating' plug-in solar products, and companies like GismoPower and EcoFlow are exploring pathways to certification. Legislators in several states are optimistic that more plug-in solar bills will pass this year.

The takeaway

Plug-in solar legislation offers a rare bipartisan opportunity to empower homeowners and renters to generate their own renewable energy, lowering electricity costs and speeding the adoption of clean energy technology. However, safety standards set by UL will be crucial in determining the industry's growth trajectory.