Trump Twiddles Thumbs While The Balcony Solar Movement Takes Off

Nine states have now passed laws making it easier to use "balcony solar" — small plug-and-play solar panels that plug into a regular outlet and feed power back into your home's wiring, cutting your electric bill instead of adding to it. Utah went first in 2025, and this year Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and now New Jersey followed. New Jersey's law, signed September 1, exempts systems up to 1,200 watts from utility fees and approval requirements, and stops landlords, HOAs, and towns from banning them outright or requiring permits.

A typical kit runs $500 to $1,500 for 400–800 watts of panels, and can lower a monthly electric bill by an estimated $15 to $50, depending on local rates, according to the solar marketplace EnergySage. Unlike rooftop solar, these systems can't sell power back to the utility, but they can be unplugged and taken along when you move, and they work for renters, condo owners, and anyone whose roof isn't suited for a full solar install.

A safety certification called UL 3700, launched this year, is meant to reassure buyers that a plug-in kit is as safe as any other appliance, with features like automatic shutoff if unplugged or during a power outage. More states have bills moving through their legislatures, including New York, California, and Massachusetts, so it's worth checking whether your own state allows balcony solar or is close to it, and what rules your landlord, HOA, or utility might still impose.