PlugInSolarMap.com
Take ActionNotify me
All states
☀️

New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →
Pending legislation

Coming Soon — Idaho is considering plug-in solar legislation

Would permit residential plug-in solar systems up to 1,200W without utility approval or interconnection requirements.

Get notified when Idaho goes legal

We track every vote. One email when this bill passes — no spam.

🔋

Solar you can use in Idaho today, while you wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal everywhere, including Idaho, right now.

See solar backup options →

Bill Status

Bill number
HB 612
Expected vote
In Committee — 2026 session
Proposed watt cap
1200W AC
As written in current bill text — subject to amendment
Primary utility
Idaho Power / Rocky Mountain Power

Pending bill information may change as legislation advances. Bill text, watt caps, and effective dates are subject to amendment or failure. This is not legal advice.

What to Expect If This Passes

🔌

Up to 1200W, no permit

The bill as drafted would allow systems up to 1200W AC connected to a standard household outlet — no permit, no utility approval required.

⚡

No net metering

The bill does not include net metering for plug-in systems. Excess generation would not be credited. Self-consumption maximization is key.

🏠

Renters included

The bill does not restrict installation to homeowners. Renters would still need landlord consent, but no permanent installation is required.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.090/kWh in 2021 → $0.110/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.090
2021
$0.094
2022
$0.098
2023
$0.102
2024
$0.106
2025
$0.110
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.241/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,076
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

Estimated Savings Preview

Based on Idaho's $0.110/kWh avg. rate and 4.8 sun hours/day. Use this to plan — not to make a purchase yet.

Best-fit kits for Idaho

sorted by your payback period
11yr payback~$2,124 lifetime savings

US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit

Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking.

Output
810W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 12 yr
UL1741IEEE1547
$969~$88/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
11yr payback~$2,055 lifetime savings

PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit

Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold on Amazon.

Output
800W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
UL1741
$999~$91/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →
12yr payback~$997 lifetime savings

CraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit

400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter.

Output
400W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
ETLUL1741
$530~$44/yr avg cost
Shop Now →

Payback estimates use your current slider settings with each product's wattage and price. We earn an affiliate commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Default: 4.8h/day (Idaho avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W1200W
60%
30%100%
$0.110/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
715 kWh
60 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$79
$7/mo
Payback Period
13 yrs
by year 13
25-Year Savings
$3,054
net $1,854
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is plug-in solar legal in Idaho?
As of June 2026, Idaho has no enacted plug-in/balcony solar law. House Bill 612, introduced in the 2026 session, did not pass after opponents raised fire-risk and interconnection concerns, leaving the legal status of small plug-in devices unaddressed.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Idaho?
No, not entirely. Idaho Code 55-3208 prohibits HOAs from banning rooftop solar panels, though they can require specific placement (within 45 degrees of due south) and adopt other reasonable rules. The law does not specifically address portable plug-in balcony devices.
Does Idaho Power offer net metering?
No. Idaho Power ended traditional net metering in 2024 and moved to a net-billing system with export rates cut to around 2.46 cents/kWh in 2025, significantly reducing the value of exporting excess solar power to the grid.
What happened to Idaho's balcony solar bill?
House Bill 612, Idaho's 2026 plug-in solar bill, failed to pass amid opposition citing fire risks and technical interconnection concerns. Sponsors are expected to regroup for the 2027 session.
Why might plug-in solar still make sense in Idaho?
Because Idaho Power's export rates for excess solar are now very low, devices that primarily offset a household's own electricity use (rather than exporting to the grid) retain more of their value, making behind-the-meter plug-in solar comparatively appealing despite the net-metering cuts.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor the Idaho legislature and will email you the moment HB 612 is signed into law or fails. No spam — one email per bill outcome.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.