Is plug-in solar legal in California?
Legal from Jan 1, 2027 Not yet, but soon. California signed SB 868 on Sept 30, 2026; it takes effect Jan 1, 2027.
| Law | SB 868 |
|---|---|
| Signed | Sept 30, 2026 |
| Takes effect | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Size limit | 1,200 W AC per dwelling |
| Safety certification | The whole system must be certified as a plug-in PV system, with a certified anti-backfeed feature |
| Telling your utility | Optional online registration |
| Renters and HOAs | Not addressed in the law |
| Also | The exemption from utility approval sunsets on Jan 1, 2030 unless lawmakers extend it. |
Until the start date, the usual utility rules apply. Kits bought now should already meet the certification rule above, so you can plug in on day one.
What a kit would save in California
| Kit size | Solar per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 483 kWh | $122 |
| 800 W | 966 kWh | $244 |
| 1,200 W | 1,449 kWh | $366 |
Panels on a south-facing balcony railing, California’s average sunshine (NREL PVWatts, state average), today’s price of 29.8¢/kWh, and 85% of the output used at home. Run it for your ZIP code.
See every state’s plug-in solar status, or electricity prices and other rules in California.