Guides
Plug-in solar questions answered with our own calculator. Every number comes from the same model as your result, with the inputs and run date shown.
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Plug-In Solar Laws Starting Jan 1, 2027: What Changes
Jan 1, 2027: plug-in solar laws in California, New Hampshire and Virginia, and Colorado's landlord and HOA rules. The cap, utility notice and source for each.
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What Can Balcony Solar Run? AC, EV and Fridge in 9 Cities
We ran an 800 W balcony kit in 9 US cities against EIA data: how much of an air conditioner, an EV or a fridge it covers, and why the mount decides.
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How Plug-In Solar Syncs With the Grid, and Why It Stops
A balcony kit makes no power wave of its own. It follows your outlet's 60 Hz wave, stops within 2 seconds in a power cut and waits 5 minutes to restart.
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Plug-In Solar and Your Meter: Credit, Nothing or a Charge
Up to half of what a balcony kit makes goes out through your meter. Credited, ignored or billed as usage: what each meter does, and what state laws say.
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Balcony Solar in Winter: Month by Month in 9 US Cities
We split a year of balcony solar output into months in 9 US cities. On an upright railing, winter often beats summer. What that means for savings, and why.
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Balcony Solar Kit Size: 400, 800 or 1,200 W Compared
We ran 400, 800 and 1,200 W balcony kits through our calculator in 10 US cities. Bigger saves more, but each step adds less. Plus each state's size cap.
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Balcony Solar Battery Savings: 1, 2 or 4 kWh in 10 Cities
Our calculator's results for an 800 W balcony kit with no battery or 1, 2 or 4 kWh in 10 US cities: savings by size and city, the full table, the method.
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Which Plug-In Solar Kits Are UL 3700 Certified? A Tracker
We search the testing labs' public directories and read makers' claims. See which plug-in solar products have a UL 3700 record, and which only claim it.
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Plug-In Solar for Renters: Landlord and HOA Rules by State
Some states stop landlords and HOAs from banning balcony solar; others say nothing. Statute-checked rules, notice periods and conditions, state by state.
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UL 3700 or UL 1741? What your state's plug-in solar law says
States don't all name the same safety standard for plug-in solar. See what your state's law asks for, what UL 3700 and UL 1741 cover and how to check kits.
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Railing, patio or fence: what direction does to your savings
We modeled the same 800 W kit facing 8 directions, on a railing and on a patio. Output changes almost 5×. Savings change far less. Here's why.