Plug-in solar for apartments and renters
Plug-in solar is often pitched at apartments and rentals: a small system on a balcony or patio that connects through an outlet, without adding a new hardwired connection to the electrical panel. Whether that is addressed by law depends on the state.
Whether the law covers renters is set by the state
The state status table shows which states have enacted a plug-in solar law, which have bills in progress, and which have no statute on record. Several enacted laws speak to tenants, landlords and community associations directly. Virginia's is the strongest for renters: a landlord who owns more than four rental units may not prohibit a tenant from installing a small portable device on the exterior of the premises, subject to reasonable restrictions, and a locality may not prohibit these devices on residential structures. New Jersey's new law bars landlords, community associations and municipalities from broadly prohibiting a device. Vermont's act has a tenant give the landlord 10 days' notice, with 10 days for the landlord to respond. Virginia also sets its 1,200 W limit per residential unit in multi-family housing. Terms differ by state, so read the statute that applies to you.
Questions to ask a landlord or HOA
How they land depends on your lease, your building, and your state, so raise them before you buy anything.
- Does the lease or HOA allow placing or attaching equipment on a balcony, patio, railing, or exterior wall?
- Is there an accessible outdoor outlet, and does the circuit it is on run to your own meter rather than a shared one?
- Does the building or HOA require written permission or advance notice before anything is installed?
- Does your state law set a notification or approval step, and who is responsible for completing it?
- Can the system be removed at move-out and the space restored to its original condition?
- Do renters or homeowners insurance terms address attached or outdoor equipment?
Related: balcony solar explained and plug-in vs rooftop solar.