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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 legislationUpdated August 2, 2026

Coming Soon — Massachusetts is considering plug-in solar legislation

The House passed H.5175 (128-27) on Feb 26, 2026, with plug-in solar provisions capped at 1,200W and no utility interconnection fees. The Senate passed its own omnibus energy bill, S.3143, on July 1, 2026 (32-8), with similar automated-permitting and plug-in solar language. The two chambers are now reconciling the bills in conference committee.

Get notified when Massachusetts goes legal

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

🔋

Solar you can use in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, right now.

See solar backup options →

What You Can Use in Massachusetts 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 in Massachusetts right now, no law required.

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~4.4h

Powers: Phone, router, and lights through the outage, plus ~6 hours of CPAP a night

$299 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Most popular

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~16h

Powers: A fridge, router, and lights running through a full day outage

$449 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~31h

Powers: A full-size fridge and CPAP for days, or a window AC unit for a few hours

$749 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗

See the full solar backup guide

Runtime charts for real devices, more kit options, and setup steps.

→

Bill Status

Bill number
H.5175 / S.3143
Expected vote
In conference committee reconciling House/Senate versions — not yet signed into law
Proposed watt cap
1200W AC
As written in current bill text — subject to amendment
Primary utility
Eversource MA / National Grid MA

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 $0.238/kWh in 2021 → $0.290/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.238
2021
$0.248
2022
$0.258
2023
$0.268
2024
$0.279
2025
$0.290
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.635/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$2,836
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 Massachusetts's $0.290/kWh avg. rate and 4.1 sun hours/day. Use this to plan — not to make a purchase yet.

Best-fit kits for Massachusetts

sorted by your payback period
6yr payback~$2,909 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~$88/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
6yr payback~$5,995 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~$162/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
6yr payback~$5,879 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~$167/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →

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: 4.1h/day (Massachusetts avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W1200W
60%
30%100%
$0.290/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
611 kWh
51 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$177
$15/mo
Payback Period
7 yrs
by year 7
25-Year Savings
$6,878
net $5,678
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 Massachusetts?
Not yet specifically authorized. Plug-in solar provisions passed the House as H.5175 in February 2026 and the Senate's omnibus energy bill S.3143 in July 2026, similar to laws already enacted in Connecticut and Maine, but the two chambers are still reconciling the bills in conference committee. Until something is signed, plug-in solar exists in a regulatory gray area.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Massachusetts?
No, not outright. Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 184 Sec. 23C voids HOA and condo covenants that forbid or unreasonably restrict solar installations, though reasonable aesthetic rules are allowed. A pending bill (H3996) would strengthen this further.
Does Eversource offer net metering?
Yes, Eversource and National Grid both offer near-retail net metering for systems up to 10kW, with no interconnection fees for small UL-listed systems -- a relatively favorable setup for small-scale solar.
What's Massachusetts' solar potential?
Massachusetts has an estimated 92GW of technical distributed-solar potential, nearly four times the state's projected 24GW peak electricity demand by 2050, indicating substantial room for growth.
Is balcony solar likely to become legal soon in Massachusetts?
It's plausible. Both the House (H.5175) and Senate (S.3143) have passed their own versions of balcony solar provisions as of mid-2026, and a conference committee is now working to reconcile them — putting Massachusetts closer than most pending states to joining the New England wave (alongside CT, ME, RI, VT) of enacted balcony solar laws.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor the Massachusetts legislature and will email you the moment H.5175 / S.3143 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.