Rechargeable solar power is now legal in these 10 states – how it could save you money

ZDNET Key Takeaways

• Several states are working to legalize backyard solar installations.
• After Utah, nine other states have legalized it or are working on bills for rechargeable solar power.
• Another 24 states are stalled but already working on legislation.

Rechargeable solar systems are easy to install and can save consumers money on their electricity bills, but they remain illegal in many states. Utah was the first to legalize home and rechargeable solar energy, but other states have since followed suit and others are working on their own paths to legalization.

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As we’ve already discussed, these rechargeable solar installations (also called “backyard solar”) are plug-and-play systems consisting of one or more solar panels, an inverter and a battery. The system connects to a home’s standard 120-volt outlet, automatically routing solar-generated electricity from the battery to the nearest running appliance.

Which states have legalized rechargeable solar power?

Ten states have already legalized backyard solar systems and rechargeable solar systems, so residents can already purchase and install systems like the EcoFlow Stream in their homes. Here is the current status of states that have already successfully passed legislation legalizing these devices for consumer use.

Data from Solar.com.

Which states are working to legalize rechargeable solar power?

About two dozen states are still in the process of legalizing rechargeable solar power. Some bills are stalled until the next legislative session resumes in 2027, while others are undergoing committee hearings.

Balcony solar bills H.5175 and S3143 are moving forward in Massachusetts, and the SUNNY Act is awaiting approval by the governor of New York. Bills in other states including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. have been referred to committee hearings.

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Most states have blocked rechargeable solar bills until the next legislative session in 2027, including Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Unfortunately, rechargeable solar bills have failed in Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, so if you live in one of those states, this type of device is technically illegal to use. That doesn’t mean it won’t eventually clear the legislative slate in those states, but lawmakers will have to file a new bill to reintroduce them after making necessary revisions.

Can I install my solar panels if my state legalizes rechargeable solar energy?

Whether or not you can immediately install solar panels on your balcony once the systems are legalized in your state will depend on your home’s circumstances.

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Broadly speaking, the bills in question aim to prevent utility companies from blocking rechargeable solar projects. These bills cannot preempt bans on these systems by homeowners or HOAs, although additional bills have been introduced in some states to include protections for HOAs and homeowners.

Why is rechargeable solar power illegal?

Rechargeable solar power is illegal because electrical systems in traditional American homes are not designed to be powered by a standard wall outlet. Rooftop solar systems are professionally installed and designed so that the energy collected by the panels passes through a circuit breaker and into your outlets. Rechargeable solar power, in turn, feeds electricity directly into an outlet, bypassing the electrical panel.

In a plug-in solar configuration, nearby appliances draw power provided by the circuit breaker and solar inverter, but the wiring could carry more current than the circuit breaker alone would allow before tripping. But it’s not just about security.

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Installing your own solar panels means relying less on local utilities. These companies pose the biggest regulatory hurdle for rechargeable or balcony solar installations. Their solar rules and regulations are designed for rooftop panels, not plug-and-play systems, so the legislation should push utility companies to change that.

There’s also the elephant in the room: Utilities would make less money from their services if rechargeable solar becomes widely popular. When consumers buy less electricity, they contribute less to grid costs.

Maria Diaz is a writer passionate about home automation, smart home devices, and tablets. With a background in graphic design, photography and filmmaking, she has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and experience in journalism and filmmaking.

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