Honest kit reviews, state-by-state legality and real payback math for plug-in solar. No roof, no electrician, no hype.
Plug-in solar finally makes sense in the US: panels are cheap, microinverters are safe, and the laws are opening up state by state. We track the law and do the math so you don't have to.
50
States tracked
16¢
US average per kWh
800W
Most popular kit size
5 yrs
Typical payback
Four things worth knowing before you buy a single panel.
Every guide blends manufacturer specs, real electricity prices and current law — find the setup that fits your railing.
With the right mount, angle and inverter, a rented balcony can cover a fridge, a router and a laptop year-round.
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Kits start at $399
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PlugAndSun buying guides, state legality tracking and payback math for plug-in solar across the US.
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PlugAndSun started because buying a balcony kit in the US meant wading through marketing copy, German forum threads and legal advice three years out of date. We do not test hardware. We read the statutes, the datasheets and the utility tariffs, and we cite every one of them with the date we checked it.
Discover moreOur output estimates come from NREL sun-hours for your state and the panel's own datasheet — with the assumptions written out, so you can check the math instead of trusting it.
50
States tracked
4
Free tools
0
Sponsored posts
A slow, deliberate process — the opposite of the content mill.
Start with your state and utility. Our 50-state guide tells you whether plug-in solar is allowed, what paperwork exists and what changed most recently.
Run your electricity price, kit wattage and local sun hours through the calculator to see real yearly savings and payback before you spend anything.
Compare the panels, microinverters and mounts actually sold in the US — spec sheet, price per watt and warranty side by side, including the ones we think are a bad buy.
We do not test hardware, and we say so. Every recommendation here is built from published specs, current prices and the law as it stands — each one linked and dated.
No free samples, no sponsored posts, no paid placements — and we name the products we think you should skip.
50
States tracked
Legal status, wattage cap and utility rules for every state — with the date each one was last checked.
400W
One panel · from ~$399
800W
Two panels · from ~$699
1600W
Four panels · from ~$1,290
Savings assume the US average of 16¢/kWh and 4.5 peak sun hours. Your numbers will differ — check your state guide before buying.
FAQ
The things people ask before buying their first kit. Something missing? Email us — a human reads every message.
Subscribe freeA plug-in solar kit: one or two panels that hang on your balcony railing, wall or flat roof and plug into a normal outlet through a microinverter. No electrician, no roof work, and it comes with you when you move.
It depends on your state and utility — rules are changing fast. Utah led with SB 208 in 2025, and other states are following. Check our state-by-state guide for where yours stands today.
Most 800W setups shave $100–$250 a year off a US electricity bill, so payback usually lands between 4 and 8 years. Run your own numbers in our savings calculator — it uses your state's real electricity price.
Usually yes for anything mounted on a railing or facade. Non-penetrating mounts and a one-page spec sheet solve most objections. We cover the conversation in our renter's guide.
Some links on this site earn us a commission when you buy — at no extra cost to you. Products earn their recommendation first; see our affiliate disclosure for the full policy.
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