Plug-In Solar in Alaska
Alaska's plug-in solar bill went to a House committee and sat there until the Legislature adjourned, so no plug-in solar law exists.
- No plug-in solar law in Alaska yetBill HB 257
- Utility rules are in effect.Plug-in watt cap: none.
- Cents: 27.3.Jan to Aug 2026: EIA's average home price per kWh.
- Each year, $207.Before any utility solar fee, an 800 W kit in Anchorage.
In Alaska, get your electric utility's sign off before you connect, and use an inverter listed under UL 1741 with anti-islanding protection, or under UL 3700.
Alaska Plug-In Bills
- HB 257 (2026): Certified portable solar devices of up to 1,200 W would have been exempted from utility interconnection rules and from net metering rules. No utility approval or fees would have applied. After introduction on 20 January 2026 and referral to House Energy committee, there was no further action; the 34th Legislature then adjourned sine die. Bill page
Today's Rule in Alaska
Hooking up: Under 3 AAC 50.900 to 50.949, the net metering rules cover economically regulated utilities that sell at least 5,000,000 kWh at retail. Those utilities must connect customer systems that qualify, in sizes up to 25 kW. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska may set requirements for connecting them.
Net metering: It applies to systems of up to 25 kW, with a ceiling of 1.5% of the demand or sales of a utility. Each month, excess power is credited using the non-firm power rate rather than the retail rate. As of March 2026, one proposal to lift the cap to 20% was still open.
Savings from a Kit in Alaska
Each 1 kW of panels in Anchorage produces 946 kWh a year, according to PVWatts, and homes in Alaska pay 27.3 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. Results for an 800 W kit vary by placement:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 757 | $207 |
| Upright on a railing | 477 | $130 |
| Facing east or west | 605 | $165 |
Anchorage Month by Month
- Jan12
- Feb31
- Mar86
- Apr98
- May111
- Jun108
- Jul98
- Aug91
- Sep65
- Oct36
- Nov15
- Dec7
kWh made by an 800 W kit tilted south.
Kit Prices for Alaska
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,116 | $305 | 2.9 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 340 | $93 | 4.5 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 757 | $207 | 5.3 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, with all power used at home. Compare all kits
Alaska Facts Worth Knowing
- Power prices in Alaska rank among the highest in the US: residential average in 2024 was 24.82 cents/kWh (all-sector rank 6th).
- Most Alaskans get power from member-owned cooperatives: of the five biggest sellers, four are co-ops.
Do You Rent, or Are You on a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's call, while the hookup is your electric utility's decision. Read about balcony solar and solar for apartments.
The Main Utilities
- Chugach Electric Association
- Golden Valley Electric Association
- Matanuska Electric Association
- Alaska Electric Light & Power
Savings from a Kit in Alaska
- Choose your size: in Anchorage, about 378 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit, and about 1,135 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Run yours.
- Keep an eye on HB 257 next session. Should it pass, the approval step may drop away.
Sources
- HB0257A PDF, Alaska Legislature bill text
- AK HB257 | 2025-2026 | 34th Legislature | LegiScan
- Alaska State Legislature
- Alaska Legislature | 2025-2026 | 34th Legislature | Adjourned Sine Die | LegiScan
- Regulatory Commission of Alaska - Newsitem Details
- Net Metering - DSIRE (Alaska)
- Alaska Electricity Profile 2024 (EIA)
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables for Alaska (XLSX)
- EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices and NREL PVWatts, Anchorage
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