And one detail almost no coverage carries: the exemption is not permanent. The enrolled text provides that the interconnection exemption “shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed,” with a separate section becoming operative that date restricting sale of devices lacking specified safety certification. Treat it as a defined window rather than a permanent change — what that means for you.
Why San Diego specifically
Plug-in solar economics come down to one number: what you pay per kilowatt-hour. Every kilowatt-hour a plug-in panel offsets is a kilowatt-hour you don't buy — so the more expensive your power, the faster a small system earns its keep. SDG&E's residential rates rank among the very highest in the continental United States. The same kit that struggles to justify itself in a cheap-power city pays back years faster here. Add year-round sun and a huge stock of patios, south-facing walls and balconies, and San Diego is the natural first market for this whole category.
What you'll actually be able to do
| Rule (under SB 868) | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,200 watts | Roughly 2–4 panels per home — enough to offset daytime basics like the refrigerator, electronics and lighting. |
| Plugs into a normal outlet | No interconnection application, no utility fees, no waiting on paperwork. |
| Self-install is legal | Unbox, mount, plug in. Optional pro help for mounting, placement and a circuit check — an hour or two of work, not an installation contract. |
| Certified devices only | UL-certified (or equivalent) plug-in systems with automatic grid-shutoff. Uncertified imports won't qualify — and are the fire risk headlines will be made of. |
Who it's for in San Diego
- Renters and condo owners — own solar for the first time and take it with you when you move (your balcony or patio, your outlet; the building's mounting rules still apply).
- Homeowners whose roof can't take panels — shaded, aging, wrong orientation, or you just don't want a 20-year commitment up there. This is the first middle option between full rooftop solar and nothing.
- Rooftop solar owners maxing a patio circuit as a top-up — less common, but the math can work.
How to be first in line
Two things have to happen before you can plug in: the effective date, January 1, 2027, and certified kits actually reaching the market — the certification category is brand-new and the first qualifying products are still emerging. That's exactly what we track. Join the list below and you'll get one email when it's legal, and one when there's a certified kit worth buying — with the honest read on what it does and doesn't do for a San Diego home. If you'd rather have the whole thing handled — kit choice, mounting, placement, circuit check — that's what we're lining up vetted local pros for. No spam, no bidding wars, no obligation.
Sources: California Legislative Information — SB 868 · EWG — Legislature approves SB 868 (Aug 25, 2026) · Full law explainer: Plug-in solar in California — what SB 868 actually allows