In this guide
Short answer: yes. Since May 7, 2025, Utah law (HB 340) lets you plug a certified solar device of up to 1,200 watts into a standard 120-volt outlet without an interconnection agreement, utility approval or fees. You don't get paid for power you send to the grid, and your lease or HOA rules still apply.
- Status
- Legal, in force
- Law
- HB 340 (2025), Utah Code 54-15-102 and 54-15-601
- Maximum output
- 1,200 W per device
- In effect since
- May 7, 2025
- Utility approval or fees
- Not allowed for qualifying devices
- Net metering
- No (exports not credited)
Utah's law passed both chambers without a single vote against and became the template other states copied. It is short and clear, which makes it a good place to understand how plug-in solar laws work. For the rest of the country, see the 50-state map.
What HB 340 allows
The law creates a new category, the "portable solar generation device". To qualify, a device must:
- be a moveable photovoltaic device with a maximum power output of 1,200 watts or less;
- be designed to connect through a standard 120-volt AC outlet;
- be intended mainly to offset part of your own electricity use;
- meet the most recent National Electrical Code;
- be certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory;
- be able to stop energizing your home's wiring during a power outage.
If it does, it is exempt from the interconnection rules and agreements that apply to rooftop solar, and your utility "may not require" you to get approval, pay a fee or install extra controls.
What it doesn't do
- No payment for exports. Plug-in devices are excluded from net metering. Power you don't use at that moment goes to the grid uncredited.
- No landlord or HOA override. The law is silent on leases and associations, so their rules still apply. See balcony solar for renters.
- No utility liability. The utility "is not liable for any damage or injury" caused by your device. Safe installation is your responsibility.
- No 240-volt or hardwired systems. Those need a normal interconnection application.
Which kits qualify in Utah
The key word is "certified". In practice, that means a microinverter listed to UL 1741 (the standard grid-tied inverter safety standard) or, better, to the new UL 3700 outline for plug-in solar. Utah Clean Energy notes that kits sold in Utah so far use individually certified components, and that whole-system UL 3700 certification is still rolling out. EcoFlow's STREAM Ultra battery system was initially launched for Utah only. Our kit buying guide lists what is on the market and how to check a listing.
Ask the seller for the certificate number and look it up in the lab's directory before you buy. "UL compliant" in an ad is not a certification.
How much a kit saves in Utah
Utah has strong sunshine but some of the cheapest electricity in the country: about 13 cents per kWh on average in July 2026 (EIA). That lowers the dollar savings:
| Setup | Produced per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~390 kWh | ~$50 |
| 800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~780 kWh | ~$80 |
| 800 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,240 kWh | ~$130 |
| 1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,860 kWh | ~$160 |
Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 13.1¢/kWh. At $600 to $1,200 for a kit, payback in Utah is often 7 to 12 years, longer than in high-price states. Check your own numbers with the calculator, preset for Utah.
How to install one in Utah, step by step
- Check permission from your landlord, condo board or HOA if the panels go outside your unit.
- Choose a certified kit of 1,200 W or less of AC output.
- Pick the outlet: an outdoor GFCI outlet or an indoor outlet on a circuit that isn't heavily loaded. Never use an extension cord unless the manufacturer specifies an outdoor-rated one.
- Mount securely, facing as close to south as you can, with as little shade as possible.
- Plug in and monitor production in the app for the first few days.
Full details are in how to install balcony solar and is plug-in solar safe?.
Frequently asked questions
Is balcony solar legal in Utah?
Yes. Utah HB 340 took effect on May 7, 2025. It allows portable solar devices of up to 1,200 watts that plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, are certified by UL or an equivalent lab and meet the National Electrical Code, without an interconnection agreement, utility approval or fees.
Do I have to tell Rocky Mountain Power about my plug-in solar kit?
The law doesn't require it, and it says the utility may not require approval, fees or extra controls for a qualifying device. Letting your utility know is still a good idea and costs nothing.
Will Rocky Mountain Power pay me for extra power?
No. HB 340 makes plug-in devices exempt from Utah's net metering program, so electricity you send back to the grid isn't credited. Size the kit so you use most of what it produces.
Can renters in Utah install balcony solar?
The law doesn't override leases or HOA rules, so you need your landlord's or association's permission for anything mounted outside your unit. Many renters start with a freestanding ground or patio stand that doesn't attach to the building.
Can I use more than 1,200 watts in Utah?
Not as a plug-in device. A system above 1,200 W is treated as a regular customer generation system, which needs an interconnection application with your utility.
Update log
- Page published. Status checked against the enrolled bill text.
Sources and official texts