Newsom signs landmark bill easing Californians’ access to clean, affordable ‘balcony solar’

The Environmental Working Group applauds Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing legislation that will help Californians to invest in clean energy and tackle sky-high energy bills, by making it easier to install small, affordable “balcony solar” systems.

Senate Bill 868, known as the Plug and Play Solar Act, eliminates the red tape that has kept these systems from use in apartments, condos and single-family homes. The new law also ensures the systems comply with strict safety standards.

The bill was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by EWG and the Abundance Network.

“This new law will deliver cleaner power, greater energy independence and real savings for consumers,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG’s senior vice president for California. “We applaud Sen. Wiener, Gov. Newsom and the many elected leaders who helped make this commonsense clean energy solution a reality.”

Balcony solar is thriving in Europe. In Germany more than 4 million systems have been installed, and efforts to ease their deployment are gathering steam in other countries.

But in the U.S., regulatory barriers have kept this technology out of reach for many. California has now removed those barriers while ensuring the systems meet rigorous safety standards.

California is the tenth state to legalize balcony solar and, in so doing, has doubled the size of the U.S. market with this one bill.

Homeowners and renters will now be able to buy qualified portable balcony solar panels from retailers and plug them in without first having to get an interconnection agreement from their utility. The cost and time involved with getting that agreement has been a barrier to greater deployment of these systems.

Using language sought by the utilities, the Assembly added a provision ending the interconnection exemption on January 1, 2030. The law gives the market four years to take off while giving the Legislature an opportunity to remove the sunset provision.

EWG recently released a report showing California is experiencing more frequent and dangerous heat days, with extreme heat events up 55% statewide, threatening public health and safety without access to cooling. But soaring utility bills mean millions of people can’t afford the air conditioning that could keep them safe.

Balcony solar is one solution, helping lower electricity costs and making it cheaper to run vital cooling. With 2027 shaping up to be the hottest year on record, the new law can’t come soon enough.

“These small, easy-to-use solar panels will give everyone, including renters, the relief they desperately need on our outrageous energy bills,” said Wiener.

“Electricity costs have reached ridiculous levels here in California, and now that the Plug and Play Solar Act is law, Californians have a much-needed tool to provide relief. It’s time to put money back in the pockets of Californians,” he added.

Golden State electricity rates have nearly doubled over the past decade, leaving it with the nation’s second-highest energy prices. The Plug and Play Solar Act provides consumers with a straightforward way to take control of their energy bills.

A single 400-watt balcony solar system can cover roughly 14% of the average apartment’s electricity usage, providing savings of about $250 per year. While the cost of balcony solar starts around $500 today, with broader adoption enabled by SB 868, EWG expects costs to fall, making solar even more accessible to renters and low-income households.

SB 868 also ensures these plug-and-play systems meet strict safety standards. All systems must be certified by the global independent safety science company UL, or Underwriters Laboratories, or an equivalent national testing lab. To protect utility workers, systems must automatically shut off within seconds if the grid goes down.

System size is capped at 1,200 watts, enough to power everyday appliances, such as fridges, lights, Wi-Fi routers and AC units.

California is not the first state to remove barriers to balcony solar. Utah became the first, in 2025, and several other states have enacted laws to do the same.

With Newsom’s signature, California becomes the 10th state opening its door to this simple, consumer-friendly solar technology – and brings balcony solar to one of the nation’s largest clean-energy markets.

“With Gov. Newsom’s signature making SB 868 law, California can now use the power of its enormous market to dramatically accelerate the adoption of this technology. It will cut energy costs, expand access to clean power and tackle climate change,” added Del Chiaro.

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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Visit www.ewg.org for more information.