Plug-In Solar in Connecticut
Yes, you can. Under Connecticut law, you can plug in a single solar kit of up to 1,200 watts per meter with no utility approval and no fees, though building and fire codes must still be met.
- Legal in Connecticut todayHB 5340
- Up to 1,200 W. That's the cap per home.
- 27.5 centsPer kWh, the EIA average home price, Jan to Aug 2026.
- That's $302 a year.In Bridgeport, an 800 W kit, before utility solar fees of any kind.
Before connecting in Connecticut, choose a kit rated at 1,200 W or less with an inverter that stops sending power if the grid goes down.
What the Law Says in Connecticut
Signed on Jun 4, 2026, HB 5340 takes effect on Oct 1, 2026. The law's number: Public Act No. 26-127.
Size, in watts: 1,200 W.
Safety listing: A nationally recognized testing laboratory, either Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent, must certify the kit, and it must meet UL 1741. It also has to meet the State Building Code, the National Electric Code (NFPA-70) and IEEE 1547. It needs a feature that keeps it from energizing the building's wiring while the power is out.
Approval from the utility: Not required. The power distribution company may not require approval before you install or use the device, and PURA interconnection agreement requirements don't cover it.
Notifying the utility: No notice step appears in the law, and reporting says residents don't have to tell their utility before installing.
Fees: No fee tied to the device may be charged by the utility (except charges the system incurs because of using it), and the utility may not require extra controls or equipment.
Net metering: A warning must appear on the device stating that any power it produces beyond what the home uses is billed to the customer as usage, unless their meter supports net metering.
- Behind the meter, you may use only one of these devices.
- Behind the meter, the device must connect to a standard 120-volt outlet, and it may not be attached permanently to a structure.
- Local ordinances and the State Building Code, the Fire Safety Code and the Fire Prevention Code still cover the device, and code officials must take plug-in solar rules into account in the next code updates.
- Any damage or injury from the device isn't the utility's responsibility.
Larger Systems and the Rules That Applied Earlier
Hooking up: Under the rules that came first, any solar device had to get the utility's permission, and an interconnection agreement was required. That requirement stays in place for systems outside the plug-in definition.
Net metering: New homes can no longer use classic net metering. Since January 2022, Eversource and United Illuminating have run the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) program in its place.
Savings from a Kit in Connecticut
PVWatts estimates that 1 kW of panels in Bridgeport yields 1,373 kWh each year, while Connecticut homes pay a rate of 27.5 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. Where the panels sit changes the numbers, for a kit of 800 W:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,099 | $302 |
| Upright on a railing | 692 | $190 |
| Facing east or west | 879 | $241 |
Bridgeport, Month by Month
- Jan71
- Feb80
- Mar100
- Apr96
- May111
- Jun109
- Jul113
- Aug104
- Sep100
- Oct85
- Nov69
- Dec60
The kWh an 800 W kit makes, with the panels tilted south.
Kits That Fit Under the 1,200 W Cap
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,620 | $445 | 2.0 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 494 | $136 | 3.0 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,099 | $302 | 3.6 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, with everything used at home. Compare all kits
Points Worth Knowing in Connecticut
- In 2024, Connecticut power averaged 24.37 cents/kWh, among the highest rates in the US, ranking 3rd.
- Retail choice is common in this state: energy-only providers sold 13.5 million MWh during 2024, compared with a state total of 27.4 million MWh.
- Plug-in solar has no building code section yet, so people aren't sure whether those kits are safe or legal.
On a balcony, or renting?
Ask your landlord or HOA first, since Connecticut's law covers the hookup rather than the mount. Read more on balcony solar and apartment solar.
The Main Utility Companies
- Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power Company)
- United Illuminating Company
Savings from a Kit in Connecticut
- Pick a kit of 1,200 W or less. Of the 7 kits we compared, all 7 meet the cap, and the kit must carry the listing named in the law. Compare the kits.
- First, read the notice rule above. If it applies to you, then tell the company, your electric utility. The sheet listing your kit's specifications belongs with your other documents.
- Never use a power strip for this. Plug the kit into a grounded outlet on a circuit that has little else on it.
Sources
- House Bill No. 5340, Public Act No. 26-127
- Connecticut: are plug-in solar panels legal? Confusion is widespread (CT Mirror)
- Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program (PURA)
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, Connecticut 2024
- EIA Connecticut Electricity Profile 2024
- NREL PVWatts, Bridgeport plus EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
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