Low-cost, plug-in “balcony solar” is a nifty idea that could work in many parts of the country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/opinion/solar-panels-balcony-backyard-plugin.html
The Tiny Solar Panel That Could Change America
By Robinson Meyer, The New York Times, June 14, 2026
…
A technology — known as plug-in, balcony or garden solar — is already enormously popular in Germany, in part because you can buy a kit for less than $600 at IKEA. It’s a small solar panel system, often producing up to 1,200 watts of electricity, or a little more than a refrigerator consumes, that you can affix to a wall, hang on a railing or prop up in a garden — and then plug directly into a wall socket. With the help of a small device called a micro inverter, it pumps electricity into your household circuits to offset your power demand…
At least 30 states have passed legislation to legalize these plug-in solar kits or are considering similar bills…
Balcony solar is a small way that apartment- and condo-dwelling Americans can take ownership of their energy choices and cut down their pollution on the margins…
A plug-and-play balcony solar system has yet to be certified in the United States; testing began only recently. Utah’s law legalizing plug-in solar requires any system to be certified as safe by outside authorities; other states should follow its lead…[end quote]
It’s not yet ready for prime time in the U.S., partly because our electricity networks work differently than Europe’s and partly due to local regulations. But technical issues can be resolved and regulations can be re-written.
Although western WA State isn’t ideal for solar since we have a lot of cloudy days, I could see an apartment dweller or condo with a balcony installing these in CA, AZ, TX, etc. A homeowner could get one for the fridge and one for the hot water heater. The price will probably come down once the Chinese start manufacturing them.
Wendy