Plug-in solar in Connecticut
Law in effect Checked November 10, 2026
Connecticut's rules took effect October 1, 2026. One plug-in device of up to 1,200 watts is allowed behind each meter, with no utility approval or fee. Devices must carry a warning that power you export may be billed to you as usage unless your meter supports net metering.
Effective date: October 1, 2026
The law
| Bill | Stage | Last action | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 5340 An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation Public Act 26-127 | Signed into law | Approved June 4, 2026 (Public Act 26-127) (June 4, 2026) | Signed: June 4, 2026 Effective: October 1, 2026 |
The rules
| Rule | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size (output) | 1,200 W A portable solar generation device has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; not more than one device may be used behind a customer's meter (PA 26-127 Sec. 9(a)-(b)). | Source |
| Panel (DC) limit | No limit set The law caps output only. | Source |
| Plug-in batteries | Not mentioned in the law Section 9 does not mention batteries. | Source |
| Tell your utility? | No No notice requirement appears in Section 9. | Source |
| Utility approval needed? | No No electric distribution company may require approval, a fee (other than charges the system incurs through its use) or extra equipment (Sec. 9(c)). | Source |
| Renters and landlords | Not mentioned in the law Section 9 does not mention landlords or tenants. | Source |
| HOAs and condo associations | Not mentioned in the law Section 9 does not mention HOAs. Local ordinances, building and fire codes still apply (Sec. 9(b)). | Source |
| Safety certification required | UL or equivalent lab, plus UL 1741 Must be certified by UL or an equivalent NRTL and meet UL 1741, plus the State Building Code, NEC and IEEE 1547 (Sec. 9(a)(5)-(7)). | Source |
| Net metering | Not mentioned in the law Not excluded in so many words, but the device must carry a warning that exports beyond your use will be charged as usage unless your meter allows net metering (Sec. 9(a)(9)). | Source |
What's next
The State Building Code and Fire Safety Code must consider plug-in provisions in their next updates (Sec. 10).
Kits in Connecticut
| Kit | AC output | UL 3700 | Fit in Connecticut |
|---|---|---|---|
| APsystems EZ1-LV plug-in microinverter | 900 W | Certified (certificate seen), component only | Likely compatible: confirm with seller certificate |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200 W | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 400W Rigid Solar Panels | 1,200 W | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-391-1WM-LV | 391 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-420-1WM-LV | 420 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 180 W | Not stated | Not certified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 180 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 360 W | Not stated | Not certified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 360 W, so it cannot exceed the limit.Check device count: Connecticut allows one device behind each meter; this product has an unstated number of inverters. |
| CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 700 W (estimated) | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Check device count: Connecticut allows one device behind each meter; this product has 2 inverters. |
| CraftStrom 1200 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 1,050 W (estimated) | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Check device count: Connecticut allows one device behind each meter; this product has 3 inverters. |
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | 800 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
What these labels mean
- Likely compatible: confirm with seller
- Within the size limit, and we have seen a lab certificate for the kit’s inverter. The law asks for lab certification without naming a standard, so confirm with the seller that the whole kit qualifies.
- Listing claimed, no certificate seen
- The maker says the product is lab-listed (for example to UL 1741), but we have not seen a certificate.
- No certification evidence found
- We found no certificate and no claim for the certification this state requires.
What could it save?
For an 800 W panel kit at Connecticut's average residential price of 27.42¢/kWh (September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months)):
- Ideal tilt (20°, south)
- 1,010 kWh a year: about $191 typical (69% used at home), up to $277 best case (100%)
- Vertical railing (90°, south)
- 709 kWh a year: about $134 typical (69% used at home), up to $194 best case (100%)
"Typical" uses HTW Berlin's model for an 800 W system without a battery; exports are assumed to earn nothing. Solar data: NREL PVWatts for Hartford (capital). Try your own numbers · Is it worth it? · Railing vs tilted
Price source: EIA residential average, September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months).
Questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut's rules took effect October 1, 2026. One plug-in device of up to 1,200 watts is allowed behind each meter, with no utility approval or fee. Devices must carry a warning that power you export may be billed to you as usage unless your meter supports net metering.
How big can a plug-in solar system be in Connecticut?
A portable solar generation device has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; not more than one device may be used behind a customer's meter (PA 26-127 Sec. 9(a)-(b)).
Do I have to tell my utility in Connecticut?
No. No notice requirement appears in Section 9.
Can my landlord stop me from using plug-in solar in Connecticut?
The Connecticut law does not mention landlords, so your lease still governs. Section 9 does not mention landlords or tenants.
What certification does a kit need in Connecticut?
Must be certified by UL or an equivalent NRTL and meet UL 1741, plus the State Building Code, NEC and IEEE 1547 (Sec. 9(a)(5)-(7)).
Which kits are confirmed to qualify in Connecticut?
None yet. We have not seen a certificate covering a complete kit, so no kit is marked compatible in Connecticut.
Neighbouring states
- Massachusetts: Bill active
- New York: Bill active
- Rhode Island: Status not yet confirmed
Related: is it worth it? · railing vs tilted panels · renters guide · all kits · Certification watch · how we verify
Sources
- Connecticut General Assembly: HB 5340 (2026) bill status (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026) This server sends an incomplete certificate chain; we fetched it with the public GoDaddy G2 intermediate added.
- Public Act No. 26-127 (HB 5340), An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation (Law text; accessed November 10, 2026) Plug-in provisions are Sections 9 and 10 (effective October 1, 2026). Approved June 4, 2026.
Research note: Verification "partial": the Public Act text is primary; the bill status page could not be rendered in a browser here, so history dates beyond the approval date were not collected.
This page is general information, not legal or electrical advice. Laws change and utilities differ. Check the linked official sources, your lease or HOA rules, and your utility before you buy or install anything. Full disclaimer.