New law allows plug-in solar systems, bypassing utility red tape
A new bill allowing residents to connect small solar power systems directly to household outlets has received unanimous bipartisan support in Utah’s legislature. House Bill 340 S1, introduced by Representative Raymond P. Ward, enables portable solar systems of up to 1.2 kW AC to plug into standard 120V electrical outlets without requiring interconnection applications or utility fees.
The bill cleared the Utah House in a 72-0 vote, with three abstentions, and passed the Senate by a 27-0 margin, also with three abstentions. The was signed by the governor and has been in affect since May 7, 2025.
A Simpler Path for Home Solar
The bill defines “portable solar generation devices” as movable photovoltaic systems that:
- Have a maximum power output of 1,200 watts
- Connect via a standard 120V outlet
- Comply with the latest National Electrical Code (NEC) standards
- Are UL-certified or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory
- Feature an automatic shutdown when the home’s electrical system is offline, preventing backfeeding risks
Under the new law, utilities cannot impose additional requirements, fees, or approval processes beyond what is built into these systems. Plug-in solar users will not qualify for net metering, meaning excess energy will not be credited to their utility bills. Since most of the electricity generated in the small devices is consumed right away, this is not an issue, anyway, experts claim.
Certification Challenges Could Delay Rollout
While the bill has provided a clear legal path for plug-in solar in Utah, some experts warn that no currently available systems meet both NEC and UL requirements.
“UL Listing for this specific application is more complex than just meeting UL 1741” noted industry expert Carl Lenox in a post on the social media platform Bluesky. “Previous attempts have been unable to achieve listing because the concept of having a source & load on the same branch circuit is a non sequitur to the NEC, and UL won’t list if NEC non-compliant.”
Although efforts are already underway to adjust the NEC regulations accordingly, the duration of this process remains unclear.
Following Germany’s Lead
Balcony solar has taken off in Germany, where the sector has grown from almost zero to hundreds of megawatts in recent years. Innovations in battery storage, racking systems, and financing models, including the use of refurbished solar panels, have driven rapid adoption.
With Utah now leading the charge in the U.S., the success of this law could encourage other states to follow suit, potentially unlocking a new wave of decentralized residential solar power.
