Safety framework
- UL Solutions: plug-in solar certification frameworkOverview of the UL 3700 testing and certification framework, published Jan. 8, 2026.
- UL Solutions: safety considerations for plug-in PVPlain-language discussion of residential electrical risks and proposed mitigations.
Texas policy
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Distributed GenerationState rules and interconnection resources for on-site distributed generation.
- ERCOT: Distributed GenerationDefinitions and registration information for generation connected to the Texas grid.
National policy snapshot
Eight states had enacted dedicated plug-in solar laws as of this review: Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. A New York Senate status summary reported similar legislation introduced or considered in roughly 30 additional states.
- Utah Code §54-15-601Utah’s first-in-the-nation 2025 pathway for qualifying portable solar devices.
- Maine LD 1730 / Public Law Chapter 644Official bill history showing enactment and the governor’s signature on April 6, 2026.
- Virginia HB 395, enrolled textDedicated framework for small portable solar generation devices.
- Colorado HB 26-1007Enacted portable-scale solar generation device framework.
- Maryland HB 1532 / Chapter 353Official record showing approval by the governor.
- Vermont S.202 / Act 149Official status showing the plug-in photovoltaic law signed June 16, 2026.
- New Hampshire SB 540 / Chapter 262Final text approved July 2, 2026, with most provisions effective January 1, 2027.
- Connecticut Public Act 26-127Governor’s announcement describing the July 2026 law and its plug-in solar provisions.
- New York Senate: national legislative momentumMay 2026 status summary reporting legislation introduced in roughly 30 additional states.
State examples
Utah: Dedicated pathway enacted
Utah law defines portable solar generation devices and exempts qualifying devices from specified interconnection and net-metering requirements.
Utah Code §54-15-601 — Utah Legislature ↗Calculator method
The V1 calculator uses broad Texas regional production factors, then adjusts for system size, orientation, and shading. Savings count only the share of production the user says is consumed in the home; exported energy is valued at zero for the plug-in estimate. Long-term value applies the user’s electricity-price assumption and 0.5% annual panel degradation.
Automatic kit prices are estimated planning prices: $499 for 400 W, $749 for 800 W, and $999 for 1,200 W. They are intended to represent competitive hardware-only kits as the U.S. market develops—not current premium turnkey pricing. They assume panels, microinverter, and basic cabling, but exclude mounting, shipping, optional export-control equipment, and any professional electrical work. Current reference points include an EcoFlow 800 W microinverter kit, current U.S. plug-in kit listings, and higher-priced fully equipped U.S. systems. Users with a real quote can enter it under “Fine-tune the estimate.”
The physical setup is designed to be DIY-friendly rather than a conventional solar installation. Manufacturer examples describe easy setup, including Anker’s two-hour setup example. That does not override Texas electrical, utility, building, landlord, HOA, or mounting requirements.
This gives a fast, transparent planning estimate—not a site design. A later version should use the NREL PVWatts calculator or another validated solar model for location-specific hourly output.