What’s new:

As of March 2026, 1 state has passed legislation to legalize plug-in solar kits, and 29 states are considering legalizing them, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey (though bills in PA and New Jersey are currently stalled).

Today’s email includes a complete list of all the states considering this shift, and a link to the relevant legislation.

Plug-in solar kits are small, DIY systems that connect directly to standard 120-volt wall outlets.

People can put them anywhere that gets direct sunlight, plug them into a standard outlet, and use the output to lower their electricity bills.

Why it matters:

Plug-in solar is the most significant deregulation of residential energy in decades. Since Utah legalized it last year, thousands of residents have installed kits.

In Utah, these kits are legally treated like appliances rather than professional construction projects, so they don’t require permits.

70% of Americans have historically been locked out of the solar market due to rental status, roof design, or high upfront costs. Plug-in solar helps change that.

Which Bills Are Close to Passing?

* Colorado’s HB26-1007 advanced through committee last week with a 9-2 vote, and passed the House yesterday (March 5th, 2026) by a vote of 48-16. This bill makes it illegal for a utility to prohibit these kits and allows up to 1,920 watts per meter, 60% higher than Utah’s limit.

* Vermont’s S. 202 passed the Senate with a unanimous 29-0 vote in late January. The bill allows systems up to 1,200 watts per meter.

* Washington’s HB 2296 passed the House 56-38 in February and is now sitting in the Senate Rules Committee. This bill specifically prevents Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) and landlords from banning plug-in solar devices and also sets a 1,200-watt limit per meter.

* New Hampshire’s SB 540 moved out of the Senate in mid-February with an "Ought to Pass" recommendation. This bill prohibits utilities from charging any extra fees or requiring prior approval for plug-in kits. It also caps the systems at 1,200 watts per meter.

Which Bills Are Dead?

* Georgia’s HB 1304 effectively died in late February. Despite bipartisan sponsorship, House Bill 1304 was “held” by the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee without a vote after intense opposition from Georgia Power and the state’s Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs).

* Wyoming’s “Affordable Electricity Act of 2026” also failed to advance out of committee this February after the House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee declined to move the bill forward after hearing testimony almost exclusively from utility representatives.

Utilities in Georgia and Wyoming mainly focused their arguments on:

* An inability to ensure safety if consumers use this tech

* The idea that people who pay less for power wouldn’t be paying their fair share for grid upkeep

A Complete List of States Considering Plug-In Solar

Below is a list of states considering similar legislation.

Utah HB 340 - Enacted (2025)

Colorado HB26-1007 - Advanced (Passed Committee and House)

Vermont S. 202 / H. 598 - Advanced (Passed Senate)

Virginia HB 395 / HB 289 - Advanced (Passed Senate)

Washington HB 2296 - Advanced (In Senate Committees)

New Hampshire SB 540 - Advanced (On Track)

New Jersey S 4982 / S 2368 - Advanced (On Track)

Illinois HB 4371 - Advanced (On Track)

Oregon HB 4080 - Advanced

California SB 868 - Introduced

New York S 8512 / A 9111 - Introduced

Connecticut HB 5340 - Introduced

Idaho HB 612 - Introduced

Arizona HB 2843 - Introduced

Pennsylvania HB 1971 - Introduced

Alaska HB 257 - Introduced

Hawaii HB 2435 - Introduced

Maryland HB 39 / HB 0345 - Introduced

Indiana SB 74 / HB 1084 - Introduced

Iowa HF 2046 - Introduced

Maine LD 1730 - Introduced

Minnesota HF 3555 - Introduced

Rhode Island H 7269 - Introduced

Oklahoma HB 4060 - Introduced

Missouri HB 2444 / 2528 - Introduced

South Carolina HB 4579 - Introduced

New Mexico SB 157 - Introduced

Washington DC HR 1047 - Introduced

Georgia HB 1304 - Sidelined/Dead (Not Voted On)

Wyoming HB 146 - Dead (Voted Down)

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