# WattRank
Generated: 2026-07-16

> Evidence-first worldwide education and like-for-like comparison for grid-tied plug-in solar.

## Guides

- [What Is Plug-In Solar? Complete Guide](https://wattrank.io/guides/what-is-plug-in-solar): Plug-in solar is a small grid-tied system that powers home circuits through an outlet. Learn what it is, how it differs, and where rules allow it.
- [How Does Plug-In Solar Work?](https://wattrank.io/guides/how-does-plug-in-solar-work): See how plug-in solar sends panel DC through a microinverter and outlet to home loads, how anti-islanding works, and what happens to excess power.
- [Are Plug-In Solar Panels Worth It?](https://wattrank.io/guides/are-plug-in-solar-panels-worth-it): Plug-in solar can pay back when sun, daytime use, power prices and legal access align. Compare honest scenarios, hidden costs and rooftop alternatives.
- [Is Plug-In Solar Safe? The Evidence, Risk by Risk](https://wattrank.io/guides/is-plug-in-solar-safe): Is plug-in solar safe? What millions of German systems, anti-islanding rules, UL 3700 and independent lab tests actually show — risk by risk.
- [UL 3700 Explained: The Standard Behind US Plug-In Solar](https://wattrank.io/guides/ul-3700-explained): UL 3700 is the safety outline that US plug-in solar laws depend on. What it covers, why no product is certified yet, and how to read certification claims.
- [How to Install Plug-In Solar, Step by Step](https://wattrank.io/guides/how-to-install-plug-in-solar): How to install a plug-in solar kit: site survey, mounting, MC4 wiring, the dedicated-circuit rule, app commissioning and the mistakes installers actually make.
- [Plug-In Solar Costs: Prices, Payback and the Three Levers](https://wattrank.io/guides/plug-in-solar-costs): What plug-in solar really costs in 2026: kit prices from $300 to $3,000, measured real-world yields, and payback from 2 to 15 years — with the math shown.
- [Plug-In Solar for Apartments and Renters](https://wattrank.io/guides/plug-in-solar-for-apartments-and-renters): Plug-in solar for renters and apartments: consent, no-drill mounting, portable systems that move with you, and the honest limits of a small sunny balcony.
- [Balcony Solar: The Complete Guide](https://wattrank.io/guides/balcony-solar-guide): Balcony solar explained end to end: orientation and tilt, railing mounting, wind, realistic yields per direction, sizing, and where it's allowed in 2026.
- [Plug-In Solar vs Solar Generator: Which One Do You Need?](https://wattrank.io/guides/plug-in-solar-vs-solar-generator): Plug-in solar cuts your bill; a solar generator keeps devices running in a blackout. How the two differ, where they overlap, and which fits your problem.

## Worldwide rankings by comparable category

### Complete generation kits
- [CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar](https://wattrank.io/products/craftstrom-800w): complete-kit; 700 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-16.
- [CraftStrom 400 Watt Plug&Play Solar](https://wattrank.io/products/craftstrom-400w): complete-kit; 350 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-16.
- [CraftStrom 1600 Watt Eco-Line Plug&Play Solar](https://wattrank.io/products/craftstrom-1600w-eco-line): complete-kit; 1400 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-16.
- [Bright Saver Flex180 single-panel kit](https://wattrank.io/products/brightsaver-flex180-2-panel): complete-kit; 180 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-16.
- [Plug In Solar Utah 3 Panel EcoFlow STREAM Kit](https://wattrank.io/products/pluginsolarutah-3-panel-ecoflow): complete-kit; 1200 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-15.

### Storage systems
- [Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro](https://wattrank.io/products/anker-solix-solarbank-4-e5000-pro): storage-system; 800 W relevant AC output; exact countries NL; facts checked 2026-07-15.
- [Jackery Navi 2000 Balcony Power Station](https://wattrank.io/products/jackery-navi-2000): storage-system; 800 W relevant AC output; exact countries DE; facts checked 2026-07-15.
- [BLUETTI Balco 500](https://wattrank.io/products/bluetti-balco-500): storage-system; 3680 W relevant AC output; exact countries not verified; facts checked 2026-07-15.
- [EcoFlow STREAM Ultra + Microinverter](https://wattrank.io/products/ecoflow-stream-ultra): storage-system; 1200 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-15.

### Components (catalogue; not cross-ranked with kits)
- [EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter](https://wattrank.io/products/ecoflow-stream-microinverter): component; 1200 W relevant AC output; exact countries US; facts checked 2026-07-15.

## Country frameworks

- [United Kingdom](https://wattrank.io/uk): prepare. The government is changing the rules to enable qualifying plug-in solar, but the proposed framework is not yet in force.
- [Germany](https://wattrank.io/de): buy-now. Germany has an established simplified framework for plug-in balcony solar with inverter output up to 800 VA.
- [France](https://wattrank.io/fr): research. Small self-consumption systems are possible, but connection, declaration and product conditions depend on the installation rather than a single balcony-solar gate.
- [Italy](https://wattrank.io/it): research. Italy distinguishes plug-and-play systems up to 350 W and small systems below 800 W, with different grid paperwork.
- [Netherlands](https://wattrank.io/nl): research. Microgeneration is common, but WattRank has not verified a dedicated national plug-in balcony-solar framework and watt cap.
- [Spain](https://wattrank.io/es): research. Spain regulates self-consumption installations, but WattRank has not verified a separate socket-connected balcony-solar route and national watt cap.

## Tools

- [Savings calculator](https://wattrank.io/tools/plug-in-solar-savings-calculator)
- [Legal checker](https://wattrank.io/tools/is-plug-in-solar-legal)

## US legality matrix

- Alabama: no-framework. Check the serving utility before any grid-connected use.
- Alaska: introduced (HB 257). Current rules remain applicable until enactment.
- Arizona: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Arkansas: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- California: introduced (SB 868). Existing utility/interconnection rules remain applicable pending enactment.
- Colorado: signed-not-effective (HB 26-1007). Law not effective as of verification date.
- Connecticut: signed-not-effective (HB 5340). Law not effective as of verification date.
- Delaware: introduced (SB 270). Current rules remain applicable.
- District of Columbia: no-framework. Check Pepco and District requirements.
- Florida: no-framework. Utility-dependent absent a specific framework.
- Georgia: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Hawaii: introduced. Current utility rules remain applicable.
- Idaho: introduced (HB 612). Current rules remain applicable.
- Illinois: introduced (SB 3104). Current rules remain applicable.
- Indiana: introduced (SB 74 / HB 1084). Current rules remain applicable.
- Iowa: introduced (HF 2046). Current rules remain applicable.
- Kansas: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Kentucky: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Louisiana: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Maine: effective (LD 1730). Confirm implementation guidance with serving utility.
- Maryland: effective (HB 1532). Confirm utility implementation details.
- Massachusetts: introduced (H 4744 / H 5151). Current rules remain applicable.
- Michigan: introduced (HB 5764). Current rules remain applicable.
- Minnesota: introduced (HF 3555). Current rules remain applicable.
- Mississippi: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Missouri: introduced (HB 2528 / HB 2444). Current rules remain applicable.
- Montana: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Nebraska: no-framework. Check public power district rules.
- Nevada: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- New Hampshire: signed-not-effective (SB 540). Law not effective as of verification date.
- New Jersey: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- New Mexico: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- New York: introduced (S 8512 / A 9111). Current rules remain applicable until signed and effective.
- North Carolina: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- North Dakota: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Ohio: introduced (HB 755). Current rules remain applicable.
- Oklahoma: introduced (HB 4060). Current rules remain applicable.
- Oregon: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Pennsylvania: introduced (HB 1971). Current rules remain applicable.
- Rhode Island: introduced. Current rules remain applicable.
- South Carolina: introduced (H 4579). Current rules remain applicable.
- South Dakota: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Tennessee: no-framework. Check local power company/TVA rules.
- Texas: no-framework. Rules vary by utility/retail provider and locality.
- Utah: effective (HB 340). Qualifying portable devices are exempted from an interconnection agreement and net metering; uncompensated export may occur.
- Vermont: effective (S.202). Confirm implementation requirements with utility.
- Virginia: signed-not-effective (HB 395). Law not effective as of verification date.
- Washington: no-framework. Check utility and local electrical rules.
- West Virginia: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Wisconsin: no-framework. Check utility rules.
- Wyoming: no-framework. Check utility rules.