In Europe, plug-in solar is an appliance you can buy at a hardware store. In the US it is just getting started. This page tracks the situation and suggests safe routes, based on public sources and manufacturer specs. It is not legal advice; laws and utility rules change.
Portable power stations are designed to be used plug-in, like an appliance. Anything wired into your home (inlet box, transfer switch, sub-panel, batteries feeding a circuit) must be installed by a qualified, licensed electrician and comply with local code. Never backfeed a house through an ordinary outlet.
Where things stand
- Utah: HB 340 ("Solar Power Amendments") was introduced in January 2025, passed unanimously in March 2025 and signed into law, described as the first state law allowing portable plug-in solar.
- Other states: Solar Builder reports bills in many legislatures, citing about 28 states plus Washington, D.C. with some form of plug-in solar bill, including activity in Ohio and Wyoming.
- The hurdle: product certification. Industry voices quoted by Solar Builder call for a UL functional safety standard for consumer plug-in products.
Even where legal, your utility may require notification. Read your state's text and your utility's rules.
The safe alternative today: off-grid plug-in solar
A power station plus portable panels is "plug-in solar" that never touches the grid: panels charge the station, you plug appliances into the station. No interconnection, no backfeed, nothing to approve. It also doubles as outage backup.
| Model | Capacity | Output | Solar in | Voltage | UPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh | 1,800 W | 500 W | 120V | < 10 ms |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 1,152 Wh | 1,800 W | 500 W | 120V | 20 ms |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | 4,096 Wh | 4,000 W | 2,600 W | 120V / 240V | < 10 ms |
"check" = not confirmed on the sources we used; verify on the manufacturer page before buying.
UPS for home office, CPAP, router
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus
Best for: UPS for home office, CPAP, router
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh |
|---|---|
| AC output | 1,800 W (surge 3,600 W) |
| Solar input | 500 W |
| Voltage | 120V |
| UPS switchover | < 10 ms |
| Weight | 27.6 lb (12.5 kg) |
| Cycle life | 4,000 to 80% |
| Chemistry | LFP |
| AC charging | 1,500 W, about 56 min |
| X-Boost | 2,200 W for resistive loads |
| Expansion | Optional extra batteries (check EcoFlow for max) |
Strengths
- < 10 ms UPS: the safest pick here for desktop PCs and network gear
- Full recharge from the wall in under an hour
Watch-outs
- Solar figure listed by retailer as 500 W; check EcoFlow for the dual-input total
Specs: manufacturer / retailer spec sheets (source 1). Prices change daily, so we do not print them.
Fridge + essentials during short outages
BLUETTI AC180
Best for: Fridge + essentials during short outages
| Capacity | 1,152 Wh |
|---|---|
| AC output | 1,800 W (surge 2,700 W) |
| Solar input | 500 W |
| Voltage | 120V |
| UPS switchover | 20 ms |
| Weight | 35.27 lb (16 kg) |
| Cycle life | 3,500+ to 80% |
| Chemistry | LFP |
| AC charging | 1,440 W max, 1.3 to 1.8 h |
| Solar window | 12 to 60 V DC, 10 A |
| Warranty | 5 years (BLUETTI page) |
Strengths
- Power Lifting mode runs resistive loads up to 2,700 W
- 5-year warranty
- Fast 1,440 W wall charging
Watch-outs
- 500 W solar input is modest for its capacity
- 60 V solar ceiling limits long series strings
Specs: manufacturer / retailer spec sheets (source 1). Prices change daily, so we do not print them.
Whole-home circuits, 240V loads, long outages
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3
Best for: Whole-home circuits, 240V loads, long outages
| Capacity | 4,096 Wh |
|---|---|
| AC output | 4,000 W (surge 8,000 W) |
| Solar input | 2,600 W |
| Voltage | 120V / 240V |
| UPS switchover | < 10 ms |
| Weight | 113.5 lb (51.5 kg) |
| Cycle life | 4,000 to 80% |
| Chemistry | LFP |
| Outlets | NEMA 5-20R, TT-30, L14-30, 6-20 |
| Parallel | Up to 3 units, 12,000 W combined (per retailer spec) |
Strengths
- 240V output for well pumps and dryers without a second unit
- Very short listed UPS transfer (< 10 ms)
- 2,600 W combined solar input across two PV ports
Watch-outs
- 113.5 lb: it rolls, it is not carried
- Whole-home use needs a transfer switch or Smart Home Panel 2 installed by an electrician
Specs: manufacturer / retailer spec sheets (source 1). Prices change daily, so we do not print them.
Choose panels within your station's input limits: see solar panels for power stations.
FAQ
Is plug-in solar legal in the US?
Utah passed HB 340 in 2025, described as the first US law of its kind. Solar Builder reports that about 28 states plus Washington, D.C. have introduced some form of plug-in solar bill. Status changes quickly; check your state and utility before buying any grid-tied kit.
Why is it not legal everywhere yet?
Utility interconnection rules and electrical code requirements (NEC) apply, and industry sources point to the lack of a dedicated UL product safety standard as a main hurdle.
Can I just plug a European balcony kit into a US outlet?
No. European kits are designed for 230 V / 50 Hz grids and European certification. Using them on US circuits is unsafe and not code compliant.
What can I do now without a grid-tied kit?
Charge a power station from portable panels and run devices from the station. It never connects to the grid, so it avoids interconnection issues entirely.