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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 →

Washington

Not yet legal

Washington came close to passing a plug-in solar law: HB 2296 (2025-26 session), sponsored by Reps. Hall, Callan, Reed, Leavitt, and Ramel, would have legalized plug-in solar devices up to 1,200W, barred HOA and landlord bans, and exempted them from utility pre-approval. The House passed it 56-38, but the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee stripped the plug-in solar provisions citing utility safety concerns, and the Senate passed the amended bill 45-3. Gov. Inslee signed the stripped version as Chapter 136, Laws of 2026. Advocates expect a standalone plug-in solar bill to be reintroduced for the 2027 session. Washington has relatively low electricity rates (~$0.11/kWh) due to hydropower, and modest solar potential (~4.0 sun hours/day), better east of the Cascades.

Get notified when Washington goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when Washington passes — no spam.

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

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$299
Check price ↗
Most popular

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$449
Check price ↗
Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$749
Check price ↗

See the full solar backup guide

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

→

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

What a Washington Law Could Look Like

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Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A Washington law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

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High rates = strong economics

At Washington's avg. $0.110/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $97/year. Payback in as few as 8 years at current rates.

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Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

FAQ

Is plug-in (balcony) solar legal in Washington?
Not explicitly, and Washington came close to changing that. HB 2296 (2025-26 session) would have legalized plug-in solar devices up to 1,200W and barred HOA/landlord bans, passing the House 56-38. But the Senate stripped the plug-in solar provisions over utility safety concerns before Gov. Inslee signed the remaining bill as Chapter 136, Laws of 2026. A standalone plug-in solar bill is expected for the 2027 session.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Washington?
No, not entirely. RCW 64.38.055 prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar panel installations on a homeowner's property, though reasonable placement and aesthetic rules are allowed. The law is focused on rooftop and ground-mounted systems and doesn't clearly cover small balcony plug-in units.
Does Puget Sound Energy offer net metering for small solar systems?
Yes, Washington state law (RCW 80.60) requires utilities including Puget Sound Energy, Avista, and Seattle City Light to offer net metering for systems up to 100kW, crediting excess generation at the retail electricity rate. However, interconnection still requires an application and inspection process designed for permanently installed systems, not plug-and-play portable devices, and PSE specifically raised safety concerns about unsupervised plug-in solar during the 2026 legislative debate over HB 2296.
Why does Washington's low electricity rate matter for plug-in solar?
Washington has some of the lowest electricity rates in the country, around $0.11/kWh, largely due to hydropower. That means the financial payback period for a plug-in solar setup is longer than in high-rate states like Vermont or California, though it can still meaningfully reduce a household's draw from the grid during sunny hours.
What's Washington's solar potential for a plug-in panel?
Washington averages around 4.0 peak sun hours per day statewide, with significantly better solar resources east of the Cascades (around Spokane and the Tri-Cities) than in the cloudier Puget Sound region. A portable solar setup will generally perform better and pay off faster in eastern Washington.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment Washington files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

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.