By Rick Hirsch, Santa Lucia Chapter Climate and Clean Energy Committee
Balcony solar, also known as plug-in solar, was first developed in Europe. With these small units, power moves one direction only, into your house. They do not send electricity back to the grid. The small panels create Direct Current (DC), flowing through a microinverter, to switch to Alternating Current (AC). Power then flows directly to whatever is nearby needing electricity. If your outdoor plug is nearest to your TV, that will take the power first. If your refrigerator is closer, that will use the power first. These systems can save consumers $35-$50 per month in electricity costs. 
Germany has over 500,000 balcony solar installations and consumers in Germany can now buy them at Ikea. Once mass produced, the price drops substantially. In Germany, they cost $500-$1000, depending on the size, and whether or not they have battery storage. In the US, they are now being sold directly to consumers through a Bay Area non-profit organization called Bright Saver for about $2000 for a fully loaded system with battery storage. This price should drop in half once they can be sold at mass in the marketplace.
Currently, to install any solar system into your home energy network, you need permits, which are expensive and time consuming. Roof-top solar systems can cost well over $20,000 and are not an option for renters. In addition, homeowners may be reluctant to install roof-top solar if they are planning to move or incurring other expensive updates to their home, like a new roof.
Plug-in solar is applicable to everyone. Buy a panel, plug it in. That’s all there is to it. Anyone with access to an outdoor plug can utilize them. Renters can use them where they currently live and take them along when they move. 
It shouldn’t require a permit! But it will require legislation. Utah was the first state in the US to propose legislation to enable plug-in solar. It passed in 2025 without any opposition. Now suddenly, 27 states have proposed plug-in solar bills.
Here in California, Senator Scott Wiener has introduced SB 868, which will allow small plug-in solar systems. This legislation would allow these small one-way energy flowing systems to be used without permits. Senator Wiener is hoping SB 868 will come up for a vote in the California legislature in March or April. Sierra Club has not taken a position on this legislation yet, but If you have thoughts on this bill, now would be a good time to reach out as an individual to your state representatives. 
 
 
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