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provides that the interconnection exemption “shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed,” with a separate section becoming operative that date restricting sale of devices lacking specified safety certification.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.
Until now, plugging any generating device into your wall outlet technically triggered the same utility interconnection process as a full rooftop array — paperwork designed for $30,000 systems applied to a $2,000 gadget. SB 868 cuts that knot: certified plug-in devices are exempt from CPUC interconnection requirements entirely from January 1, 2027.
What the bill actually specifies
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1,200-watt cap | Maximum aggregated AC output per dwelling — roughly 2–4 panels' worth. Enough to run daytime basics (refrigerator, electronics, lights, a small window AC), not a whole house. |
| Certified devices only | UL (or equivalent) certification required, including automatic shutoff within seconds if the grid goes down — the safety feature that protects utility line workers. |
| Standard outlet | Designed to connect and disconnect through a normal receptacle. No electrician, no permit process through the utility, no interconnection fees. |
| Self-installation allowed | Explicitly legal to set up yourself. |
Who this is actually for
Renters and condo owners — the headline winners. For the first time, solar you can own without owning a roof: buy it, plug it in, take it with you when you move. (Mounting hardware on a balcony railing may still need a landlord's or HOA's sign-off — the law removes the utility's veto, not your building's.)
Homeowners whose property doesn't work for regular solar — the quiet second audience. If your roof is shaded, aging, oddly oriented, or you simply don't want penetrations and a 20-year commitment — and there's no room or appetite for a ground mount — plug-in solar is the first middle option that's ever existed between a full rooftop system and nothing. A patio, a south-facing fence line, or a garage wall and an outlet is the whole requirement, at a small fraction of rooftop cost.
The honest limits — read before you buy anything
- It's a supplement, not a system. 1,200 watts is many times smaller than a typical rooftop installation. It will trim a bill, not erase one.
- It only offsets power you're using while the sun shines. There are no export credits — surplus you don't consume in the moment is simply lost. Savings depend entirely on your daytime load.
- Nobody can honestly promise you a dollar figure. Anyone who quotes exact savings for a plug-in kit without knowing your daytime usage is guessing. San Diego's high electric rates help the math — but the math is yours, not the brochure's.
- Wait for certified product if the bill passes. The exemption applies to certified devices — uncertified imports won't qualify and carry real electrical and fire risk.
- If a rooftop system fits your home, it's still the bigger tool. See the full post-tax-credit picture in our honest 2026 solar math guide.
Bill provisions summarized from the SB 868 text and legislative reporting as of August 24, 2026; details can change before final passage. This page will be updated when the Assembly votes.
Sources: California Legislative Information — SB 868 bill text · EWG — SB 868 committee advancement · Plug-In Solar US — SB 868 guide