A Ray of Sunshine in Dark Times

Plug-in solar, also called balcony solar, is getting attention as a low-cost way to make your own power without a roof installation. A kit is one or two small solar panels plus a microinverter and a cable that plugs straight into a regular outdoor wall outlet, so your home draws on that power before pulling from the grid. It's aimed at people who can't put panels on a roof, including renters, apartment dwellers, and military families.

Safety data on these systems looks strong. Certified plug-in solar inverters shut off automatically within a second if the grid goes down, protecting utility workers. Records show no lineworker injuries from certified solar inverters in decades of use in the U.S. and Europe, compared with several documented injuries or deaths from backfeed involving gas or diesel generators. Despite that, a small 400-watt plug-in solar setup often triggers permits, fees, or inspections in many states, while a much larger, less-regulated generator does not.

That is starting to change: as of June, 35 states have introduced bills addressing plug-in solar, many with bipartisan support. Rules still vary a lot by state, and some utilities have pushed back with safety concerns that advocates say the evidence doesn't support. If you're curious about trying plug-in solar at your own home, it's worth checking your state's current rules, since what's allowed — and what paperwork is required — differs depending on where you live.