California plug-in solar bill SB 868 earns approval of both legislative houses, nears governor’s desk

California lawmakers have passed a bill that would let homeowners and renters use small, plug-in solar panels — devices that plug directly into a regular electrical outlet — to offset some of their home's power use. Senate Bill 868 covers systems up to 1,200 watts and would let people set them up without filing paperwork with their utility or getting the utility's permission first, though utilities could still require notice that a device is in use. The panels would need to meet national and state electrical codes and carry safety certification from a recognized testing lab.

The bill has passed both the state Assembly and Senate and now needs a final procedural vote before going to the governor. If signed, it would take effect January 1, 2027. One detail worth knowing: the exemption from utility paperwork and permission would expire on January 1, 2030, under amendments added as the bill moved through the legislature.

If it becomes law, California would join ten other states that already allow this kind of plug-in solar setup. Supporters say a 1,200-watt system could save a household hundreds of dollars a year on electricity, which matters most in a state where power costs are already among the highest in the country. The bill has backing from groups including the Sierra Club, Vote Solar, and Environmental Working Group. Its fate now rests with the governor, who has not yet said whether he will sign it.