If you are asking whether plug-in / balcony solar is already legal to connect in California under SB 868, the answer as of September 9, 2026 is:

No — SB 868 has passed the Legislature, but it has not yet become law.

California’s live Legislative Information status page currently shows SB 868 as Enrolled, with the bill presented to the Governor on August 31, 2026 at 6 p.m. There is no chaptered or vetoed date yet. See California Legislative Information — SB 868 status.

That means a homeowner or renter should not treat the proposed SB 868 exemption as available today. Until the bill is enacted and effective, the current permit/interconnection rules for the actual project and utility still control.

What the enrolled bill would cover

The enrolled August 28, 2026 bill text defines a qualifying portable solar generation device using several conditions. Among them:

• maximum aggregated AC output of 1,200 watts per dwelling;
• connection and disconnection through a building electrical-system receptacle;
• intended use to offset onsite electricity consumption;
• compliance with the applicable National Electrical Code and California Electrical Code;
• certification as a plug-in photovoltaic system by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory; and
• a separately certified feature that isolates the device to prevent grid backfeed during an outage.

See California Legislative Information — SB 868 bill text.

What the proposed interconnection exemption would do

Under the enrolled text, a device that meets the statutory definition would, until January 1, 2030, be exempt from state/commission/utility interconnection requirements including an interconnection agreement.

The enrolled text would also prevent the utility from requiring prior utility approval, an interconnection-related fee, or additional controls beyond those integrated into the qualifying device. A utility could require a simple online registration with information such as address, make, model and device size, but the registration would not itself be an approval process.

Again: those are provisions of an enrolled bill, not a rule available to rely on today.

Does SB 868 automatically cover a battery?

The enrolled statutory definition is specifically for a photovoltaic energy generation device meeting the listed plug-in requirements. The text does not create a separate battery-storage definition or a general battery interconnection exemption.

So if a proposed product includes or connects to battery storage, do not assume the complete PV + battery configuration receives the same exemption merely because the PV portion is small and plug-in.

The exact product configuration, certifications and any separate storage/electrical requirements still need to be checked against the final enacted law, applicable code and local/utility rules when the product is actually available.

What about balcony, yard or roof placement?

SB 868’s utility-interconnection concept should not be confused with every possible building, structural, fire, landlord, HOA or local installation requirement.

A device may be small and plug-in while its physical mounting, attachment or location raises separate questions. Before buying equipment, ask:

• Is this truly a qualifying portable plug-in device, or a conventional permanently installed PV system?
• Is it balcony-mounted, freestanding/yard-based, or roof-mounted?
• Is any permanent attachment or structural work involved?
• Does the product include battery storage?
• Which utility serves the address?
• What local building/fire/property rules apply to the actual placement?

What should a California buyer do today?

1. Do not assume SB 868 is already effective. It is awaiting gubernatorial action as of September 9, 2026.
2. Do not buy a product solely because it is marketed as “balcony solar” or “plug-in solar.” The enrolled bill uses specific output, connection, electrical-code and certification requirements.
3. Do not assume a battery is automatically covered. The enrolled definition is focused on the qualifying PV device.
4. Check the current utility and local path before connecting anything today.
5. If SB 868 becomes law, re-check the final chaptered text and effective date before relying on the exemption.

GridPermit decision rule

For a current California project, the correct question is not simply:

“Is balcony solar legal?”

It is:

“Has SB 868 become effective, does this exact device meet the enacted statutory definition, and are there separate local installation or storage requirements for this project?”

GridPermit is an educational permitting/interconnection guide, not the State of California, a utility or an AHJ. Legislative status can change quickly. This page reflects the live California Legislative Information status and enrolled bill text checked September 9, 2026. Re-check the official status page before relying on it.