California's plug-in solar law is signed: what changes and when

Governor Newsom signed California’s Plug and Play Solar Act (SB 868) on Sep 30, 2026 (LegiScan). Here’s what changes, and when.

When it starts

The law takes effect Jan 1, 2027, the standard start date for a non-urgency California law (official bill page). Compliant kits are expected around spring to mid-2027 (KQED).

What counts as a plug-in solar device

A device must put out up to 1,200 watts AC per dwelling, connect through a receptacle, be meant to offset the home’s own use, and meet the National and California Electrical Codes (final text, §8530(c)(1)–(4)).

It must also be certified “as a plug-in photovoltaic system” by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing lab, plus have a separately certified feature that stops it backfeeding during an outage (final text, §8530(c)(5)–(6)). The law doesn’t name a standard by number. UL 3700 is the standard UL built for this category (UL Solutions).

Your utility

Any utility, including SDG&E, PG&E, SCE and city-owned utilities, may require a simple online form with your address and the device’s make, model and size. It can’t require approval, fees or extra equipment (final text, §8531(b)–(c)).

As of Oct 2, 2026, we haven’t found a plug-in solar registration form from SDG&E, PG&E or SCE. That doesn’t mean nothing is required: your utility may still ask you to notify it, so check before you plug in. We’ll post here when a form appears.

Until compliant kits arrive

Current products don’t meet the requirements, so owners must still register them like rooftop solar (KQED).

What the law doesn’t do

• Landlords and HOAs: the law only governs utilities and says nothing about leases, landlords or HOAs (final text). Renters and HOA members should get written permission (NRG Clean Power).
• Local rules: the law doesn’t address local building or fire rules, so they still apply. NRG Clean Power, a rooftop solar installer, makes the same point (NRG Clean Power).
• No payment for extra power: savings come only from power your home uses as it’s made (NRG Clean Power).
• No backup power: the anti-backfeed feature shuts the device off during an outage (final text, §8530(c)(6)).
• No federal tax credit: the residential clean energy credit (25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 (IRS).

2030

SB 868’s protections for plug-in solar, including the limits on utility approval, fees and equipment, apply only until Jan 1, 2030, when that part of the law is repealed. From that date, plug-in devices that don’t meet the code and certification rules can’t be sold in California (final text, §8531(e) and §8532).

What to do now

Estimate your savings (we now assume you use 60% of your solar as it’s made, the middle of the typical 50–70% range), follow the kit tracker, and read the law, explained.