The balcony solar boom is coming to the US

A wave of balcony solar legislation is sweeping the US, with over two dozen states considering laws to explicitly allow plug-in solar systems. These small arrays—typically up to 2 square meters and generating up to 800W (enough to power a microwave)—require minimal setup and no specialized labor. Utah broke ground in late 2025 by becoming the first state to legalize them, waiving traditional interconnection agreements for systems that are certified by a national testing lab and have a low power cap. Proponents argue that balcony solar can democratize clean energy access for renters and apartment dwellers, who have long been excluded from rooftop solar. Germany has already installed over 1 million such systems, and the US appears poised for a similar boom.

Safety remains a key concern. UL Solutions released UL 3700 in January 2025, a testing protocol that addresses three main risks: circuit overload (since breakers may not work with solar backfeed), ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI failures when power flows from panels), and touch safety (energized plug blades after disconnection). The standard recommends a special dedicated outlet designed for plug-in solar, which means most users will still need an electrician to install it. Joseph Bablo of UL Solutions notes that while the goal is a no-electrician solution, the industry isn't there yet. Early adopters have been installing DIY systems in a regulatory gray area; the new laws aim to formalize safety while expanding access. As of May 2025, other states including New York are considering similar legislation, potentially reshaping residential solar adoption.