Plug-in solar state rule checker
Pick your state and your kit size to see what the state’s plug-in solar law says about size, certification, telling the utility and renting, with a link to the official text.
This tool only reports what we read in each state’s enacted or enrolled bill text. It does not tell you that your setup is allowed, and it cannot see your utility’s rules, your lease or your wiring. Use it to find the right law quickly, then read the source it links.
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How the checker works
- State status. We sort each state into one of three groups: a plug-in solar law we have read, a law reported as signed or passed that we have not read yet, or no law found.
- Size check. Your kit’s output is compared with the limit in the text. In Maine the limit is 420 W unless a licensed electrician installs the system on a dedicated circuit, in which case it is 1,200 W.
- Rules for your home. Renters see the landlord rule, condo and HOA owners see the association rule, if the law has one.
- Rough value. Yearly output = watts ÷ 1,000 × 4 sun hours × 80% efficiency × 365. Value = output × your state’s average home electricity price. For example, 800 W gives about 934 kWh, worth about $143 at Virginia’s 15.28¢.
Assumptions and sources
| Item | What we use |
|---|---|
| State laws | The enacted or enrolled text for Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, linked in each result and read on October 26, 2026. Colorado’s details come from the bill’s summary page. |
| Electricity price | 2025 average residential price by state from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Annual, Table 2.10. The US average was 17.23¢. Your own rate can be higher or lower. |
| Sun and losses | 4 peak sun hours and 80% system efficiency, the same starting points as our savings and payback guide. Check your location with NREL’s PVWatts. |
Frequently asked questions
Which states have a plug-in solar law?
As of October 26, 2026, we have read enacted or enrolled text for Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Virginia’s law takes effect January 1, 2027. Maryland and California have signed laws according to reports, which we have not yet read.
What if my state has no plug-in solar law?
That does not mean a kit is banned or allowed. Feeding power into your home’s wiring may still fall under your utility’s interconnection rules, so ask your utility before you buy.
What is the most common size limit?
1,200 W in most of the states we checked. Colorado allows 1,920 W, and Maine allows 420 W without an electrician.
Does passing this check mean my setup is safe?
No. The checker only compares your inputs with the law’s text. Whether your circuit can handle the power depends on your wiring, so ask a licensed electrician if you are unsure.