NewsLos Angeles TimesOctober 27, 2026Los Angeles County
California Enacts Plug and Play Solar Act to Permit Small Solar Panels Without Utility Approval
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plug and Play Solar Act, allowing Californians to plug certified solar panels under 1200 watts directly into wall outlets without utility approval starting in January. However, the law does not address whether renters have the right to install the panels on balconies if landlords object, creating legal uncertainty for tenants. Landlord groups and safety certifiers have raised concerns regarding property damage, insurance liabilities, trip hazards, and fire risks.
Read the full story at Los Angeles TimesWhy It Matters
The new law enables residents to purchase and set up small solar kits without onerous utility oversight, but leaves apartment dwellers facing potential lease restrictions and landlord denials over property liability and safety concerns, with system costs and projected savings varying by kit size and location.
Key Facts
- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plug and Play Solar Act, taking effect in January.
- The law allows Californians to plug certified small solar panels under 1200 watts directly into wall outlets without utility approval.
- California's law does not explicitly address whether renters have the right to install balcony solar panels if property owners object.
- Other states including New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia, and Vermont have included clauses in their laws protecting renters' rights to use balcony solar systems.
- Landlord groups express concerns that balcony and fence panels could impact insurance policies, cause property damage, and create trip or fire hazards.
- Craftstrom reports that 95% of its U.S. customers are homeowners rather than apartment dwellers.
- A 400-watt panel can power a normal-size refrigerator or most apartment appliances except air conditioning.
- Bright Saver sells kits of two 180-watt panels for $414 with a $29 membership.
- A 360-watt system in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's East Hollywood territory is estimated to save between $113 and $142 in the first year.
- UL Solutions requires an electrician to rewire power outlets for plug-in systems and states that lower wattage alone does not eliminate fire risks from overheating electrical components.
- No balcony solar systems have yet received approval from a certifying body like UL Solutions, though at least one kit is expected to be cleared by the end of the year.
Who's Mentioned
locationNew Jersey“State with a law passed this year protecting renters' balcony solar rights”PersonJoseph Kaatz“Senior staff attorney at the Energy Policy Initiatives Center at the University ”OrganizationApartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles“Apartment association group reading the bill as allowing tenant installation”OrganizationBright Saver“Energy nonprofit selling solar panel kits”PersonTanya Mannes Castaneda“Spokesperson for the Southern California Rental Housing Assn.”OrganizationSouthern California Rental Housing Assn.“Opposed the bill as it moved through the Legislature”OrganizationUL Solutions“Main certifier for plug-in systems in the U.S.”locationTexas“State where Craftstrom is based”locationVirginia“State with laws including provisions protecting renters”PersonDaniel Yukelson“Executive director of the Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles”locationVermont“State with laws including provisions protecting renters”PersonCora Stryker“Co-founder of Bright Saver”PersonGavin Newsom“Governor of California who signed the Plug and Play Solar Act”OrganizationEnvironmental Working Group“Nonprofit that co-sponsored the California bill”locationColorado“State with laws including provisions protecting renters”PersonMichael Scherer“Co-founder of Craftstrom”OrganizationCraftstrom“Texas-based manufacturer of small solar systems”locationCalifornia“State where the Plug and Play Solar Act was enacted”locationGermany“Country where balcony solar is popular in apartment complexes”PersonColleen O'Brien“Principal engineer at UL Solutions”OrganizationLos Angeles Department of Water and Power“Electrical utility serving East Hollywood territory”PersonBernadette Del Chiaro“Senior vice president at the Environmental Working Group”