Interconnection requirements vary by state. Permits may apply.

States without plug-in solar legislation technically require an interconnection agreement for any generation device, though this is rarely enforced at this size. The same is true for states that have passed legislation requiring whole-system certification such as UL 3700, which this kit does not currently have (currently including New York, Maine, and Vermont). Your city or county building department may also require a permit, even though these panels function more like an appliance than a rooftop installation.Check your state on the legislation tracker →

Unused power can flow back to the grid. You won't be paid and could be billed for it.

Why and how to avoid it. Because this isn't part of a utility-approved net metering program, backfed energy isn't credited, and some digital meters may even record it as usage you're billed for. This is uncommon at this power level. One panel is enough for most households; add a second only if you run daytime loads like AC, a pool pump, or EV charging that will absorb the extra output.

Does the system feed back to the grid?

The electricity generated by a 180 W panel will likely be used up in real time by always-on appliances like your fridge, freezer, and Wi-Fi router, directly reducing your electric bill. If you have larger daytime loads like air conditioning or a pool pump, those will easily absorb the output of a 360 W kit. Any excess energy not consumed in your home will flow back to the grid. This backfeeding during normal operation is in no way bad or dangerous, but without a net metering agreement, you won't be compensated for it. Depending on your utility meter's configuration, backfed energy could be counted as additional consumption, effectively penalizing you for it. Minimizing backfeeding is therefore in your interest, and our 180-360 W systems are sized to make that easy for most households.

Can this panel provide backup power when my electricity goes out?

No, the system does not provide backup power during an outage. For safety reasons, plug-in systems automatically shut off when the grid goes down. The system is designed to reduce your electricity use while the grid is running, not to serve as an emergency source of power.

Can panels be mounted indoors, like in a sunroom that gets a lot of sunlight?

Solar panels work optimally in direct, unfiltered sunlight. If mounted indoors, even right at a window, the glass reduces light intensity by filtering out a significant amount of the sun's energy. Your solar panel will produce only a fraction of what it would produce outside, unlikely to be worth the investment.

Just bring the system with you to your next home. As long as there's no pre-existing rooftop solar in your new home, you should be able to plug our panel in. If there is rooftop solar, please review your agreement carefully to ensure a system like ours qualifies for usage.

Where can I place or mount the Flex panel?

The Flex panels must be placed outdoors in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, with no shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions. You have several placement options: mounted on a balcony or deck railing, wall, or fence; laid flat on the ground or a flat surface; or leaning at an angle against a stable object. No matter how you set it up, the panel is lightweight and must be securely fastened or weighed down to prevent it from shifting or blowing away in wind.

Should I get one or two panels?

We recommend plugging in only one Flex panel for most households. The panel produces a maximum of 180 watts under optimal conditions, but many households do not have more than that in baseload, i.e. electrical devices that are always on. Excess energy not consumed by those will flow back to the grid, which won't be credited by your utility. If you run electric heating or cooling during the day for most of the year, have a pool pump or heat pump water heater, or charge your EV at home, your home likely uses enough electricity to support two units without backfeeding to the grid. In those cases, it makes sense to add the second panel. If you're unsure, it's always best to start with one panel and monitor your energy use.

Can I plug in the panel into an extension cord or power strip?

We recommend plugging the inverter cord directly into a wall outlet whenever possible. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is heavy-duty and outdoor-rated, grounded (3-prong plug), and properly rated for at least 15 amps (although two panels only produce 3 amps, the cord should meet household safety standards). Do not use a power strip. Power strips are not designed for continuous power input and may pose a fire risk when used with energy-generating devices like solar panels. For safety and compliance, avoid daisy-chaining cords or running cords through doors or windows where they can be pinched or damaged.

I already have rooftop solar, can I still get the Flex panel?

Most rooftop solar systems are part of a formal interconnection or net metering arrangement that limits additional solar equipment. Since plug-in panels operate independently from your existing solar installation, it may not be allowed under your existing agreement or require an amendment. We recommend consulting with your utility.

How much electricity does the system produce?

One 180 W panel can produce up to 270 kWh per year, depending on your location and how it is mounted (ideally, tilted at around 45 degrees). On a good summer day, you can produce 1 kWh and more per panel, with production typically peaking at 150-160 W.

How do I maximize my savings?

You use it or lose it. You'll save the most on your energy bills if you use the electricity generated by the panels while the sun is shining. We recommend using energy-intensive appliances like laundry and dishwashers as well as charging electronics during the day when the sun is shining to maximize your savings.

BALCONY SOLAR

Balcony Solar Has Arrived

Start generating clean electricity today. Bright Saver members get the Balcony Solar Kit at cost with their $29 annual membership.

MEMBER PRICE starting at

$285.30

Save $213.70 vs Retail

Choose Your Option

New to Bright Saver?

1 year of membership for $29 + at cost panels. You'll save $213 over retail ($284 with two panels).

per year

$29

Become a Member

Already a Member?

Log in to access your member-only pricing.

members only

$285.30

Log In

Just Want the Panel?

Buy the Balcony Solar Kit at full price, no membership needed.

no membership

$499

Contact Us

180 or 360 W

Standard Outlet

DIY Installation

Free Shipping

This plug-in solar panel is a compact, affordable way to start generating your own electricity. No roof or electrician required. We offer kits with one or two panels and 180 W and 360 W of output, respectively.

The system is designed to be easy to use and install. Just mount or hang it onto a wall, fence, or balcony that gets direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day and plug it into a standard outlet. You'll start offsetting a portion of your energy use right away.

GET IN ON THE NEXT SHIPMENT, ARRIVING MID-OCTOBER

We buy panels in bulk, and with strained supply chains and shifting tariffs each order takes up to four months from placing it to having stock in hand. We have secured our next several shipments ahead of another tariff increase announced for December 4, so today's price holds for those. Later shipments will cost us more. When that happens we'll republish the at-cost table below and show you exactly what changed.

We currently cannot ship to New York, Maine, and Vermont because the plug-in solar laws in those states require whole-system certification, which no system on the market has achieved yet. We are actively working toward it.

PRODUCT

What You'll Get

180 W Solar Panel(s)

You'll get one or two lightweight, glass-free solar panels that is 180 W rated to help you power your fridge, wifi, and lights.

46" x 34" each · 11 lbs each

Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV

One 360 W micro-inverter converts solar power into standard 120V AC current. Includes a 15' power cord and a smartphone monitoring app. Datasheet

12-year warranty. UL 3700 compliant.

Self-Install Instructions

Simply mount the lightweight, flexible panel with zip ties or screws and plug into an outdoor GFCI outlet.

Free Shipping to Continental U.S.

Zero Markup. Radical transparency. As a nonprofit, we pass on all the savings to you.

WHAT "AT COSTS" MEANS

You pay what we pay. No catch. We're a nonprofit on a mission to accelerate adoption of clean energy in America.

What Goes Into Pricing

180 W

360 W

Panel(s), inverter, cables

$188.50

$283.99

Fulfillment and Shipping

$75.06

$98.62

Payment Processing

$8.56

$12.42

Returns & Refunds Reserve

$13.18

$19.13

Total

$285.30

$414.17

This is the entire price. Our markup is $0.00. If our costs change in either direction, we reprice and we publish the change.

FEATURED IN

How to Purchase a Plug-In Solar Kit

PRICING OPTIONS

1

Become a Member

Join Bright Saver to unlock at-cost pricing and fund the policy work legalizing plug-in solar nationwide

Learn about Membership

Join

2 Choose a panel option

Starter

Balcony 180

1 panel

$285.30

Member price. Save $213.70

Generates up to $120/yr

Best value

Balcony 360

2 panels

$414.17

Member price. Save $284.83

Generates up to $240/yr

See How Much You Can Save

BENEFITS

Why Choose Plug In Solar?

Set up wherever it's sunny. No roof, no problem!

Payback period as low as 2 years, region dependent.

Lower emissions, cleaner air, bright future.

REGULATORY STATUS

Is this allowed? Here's what to know.

This is a limited offering for those who want to be pioneers of the plug-in solar movement. Plug-in solar is a new technology in the U.S. and we want you to be aware of a few requirements and gray areas:

Why this is safe. A standard US wall outlet sits on a 15-amp circuit, usually shared with other outlets and lights in the same room. The National Electrical Code says continuous loads should use no more than 80% of a circuit's rated capacity, which leaves a deliberate 20% buffer for everything else. On a 15-amp circuit, that buffer is exactly 3 amps. At 120 volts, 3 amps is 360 watts. So, a plug-in solar system sized to 360 watts tucks neatly into the spare headroom the circuit already has and your breaker keeps protecting the wiring exactly as designed.

WATCH

See How Our Balcony Solar Kit is Helping People Access Clean Energy and Save

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Balcony Solar

Ten states have now enacted plug-in solar legislation, and several more have bills in progress. Our Legislation Tracker has the details. In states that have passed a law, you are generally clear to install and use a small system without an interconnection application.In states that have not passed legislation yet, there is no explicit legal framework either permitting or prohibiting these systems. Technically, you would need to apply for interconnection with your utility. Many of our customers in these states have chosen to order as early adopters, knowing they are ahead of the regulations.

Purchase Options

Balcony Solar Has Arrived

$285.30

New to Bright Saver?

$29

Already a Member?

$285.30

Just Want the Panel?

$499

What You'll Get

180 W Solar Panel(s)​

Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV

Self-Install Instructions​​

Zero Markup. Radical transparency. As a nonprofit, we pass on all the savings to you.

What Goes Into Pricing

180 W

360 W

Total

$285.30

$414.17

How to Purchase a Plug-In Solar Kit

1

Become a Member

2

Choose a panel option

Balcony 180

$285.30

Balcony 360

$414.17

Why Choose Plug In Solar?

Is this allowed? Here's what to know.

Fits within a buffer the electrical code already sets aside. Use a GFCI outlet.

Interconnection requirements vary by state. Permits may apply.

Unused power can flow back to the grid. You won't be paid and could be billed for it.

See How Our Balcony Solar Kit is Helping People Access Clean Energy and Save

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use plug-in solar in my state?

How much can I save with balcony solar each month?

What appliances can it power?

Which states don't you ship to, and why?

When will my order ship?

Can I buy more than one kit? How much can I add?

Do I need a dedicated circuit or a special outlet?

What exactly comes in the kit?

Do I need to keep paying the membership to keep my panels?

Where does the power actually go? Will it spin my meter backward?

What is UL 1741 versus UL 3700?

Can I add a battery?

How much electricity does the system produce?

Can I monitor how much power it produces?

Do you sell the inverter or the panels separately?

Does it keep working during a power outage?

Can panels be mounted indoors, like in a sunroom that gets a lot of sunlight?

What if I move?

Where and how can I place or mount the panel?

Should I get one or two panels?

Can I plug in the panel into an extension cord or power strip?

Does it work alongside my existing rooftop solar?

How do I maximize my savings?

Get Solar

Get Solar →

Newsletter

Sign Up →

Become a Member

Join Us →

Donate

Donate →

180 W Solar Panel(s)

Self-Install Instructions