Bright Saver celebrates SB 868 becoming law as California advances accessible solar energy and builds momentum for broader renewable energy adoption across the United States.

Bright Saver today celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, marking a significant milestone for California and the growing national movement to make renewable energy more accessible to everyday Americans.

Authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, the legislation removes regulatory barriers to small, portable plug-in solar systems, commonly known as plug-in or balcony solar, while establishing safety requirements for their use. The law creates a new pathway for Californians to generate their own clean electricity and gain greater control over household energy costs.

For Bright Saver, a nonprofit working to accelerate the adoption of plug-in solar nationwide, California's action represents an important step toward a much larger goal: removing regulatory barriers to clean energy markets and enabling more Americans to participate in the clean energy transition.

“There's a reason people say, 'As California goes, so goes the nation.' This is a significant milestone, not just for plug-in solar, but for the broader movement to make clean energy accessible to everyone,” said Cora Stryker, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Bright Saver. “When we founded Bright Saver, we set out to remove the barriers that have kept everyday Americans from participating in the clean energy transition. Plug-in solar is one important step toward that vision. California's move sends a powerful signal to the rest of the country about what's possible when we make clean energy easier to adopt. This is a major victory for our movement, but we're just getting started.”

California joins a growing number of states advancing legislation to make plug-in solar more accessible. Its adoption is particularly significant given the state's market size, influence on national energy policy and longstanding role in accelerating clean energy innovation.

Unlike conventional rooftop solar installations, plug-in solar systems offer a smaller-scale entry point into clean energy ownership, allowing households to generate electricity without the cost and complexity of a traditional solar installation.

Bright Saver has been working to build national awareness, organize advocates and support state-level efforts to expand access to plug-in solar. With SB 868 now law, California adds new momentum to those efforts as advocates continue working toward broader adoption nationwide.

Bright Saver Participates in San Francisco Press Conference

Later today, Bright Saver will join Senator Wiener, Environmental Working Group (EWG), SPUR, and other clean energy champions at a press conference celebrating SB 868 and SB 222, legislation designed to streamline residential heat pump installations.

The event will take place at 11 a.m. at SPUR headquarters, 654 Mission Street, San Francisco.

Bright Saver will provide a plug-in solar panel for the demonstration, and Co-Founder and Co-CEO Cora Stryker will be available for media interviews on California's new plug-in solar law, the growing national movement and the broader effort to make renewable energy accessible to more Americans.

Join the Movement

California's milestone is just the beginning. Bright Saver invites Americans across the country to join the growing movement to make clean energy more accessible and affordable. By contributing $29 a year, members can support advocacy, education, and efforts to expand plug-in solar adoption nationwide.

Join the movement at brightsaver.org.

About Bright Saver

Bright Saver is the first and only nonprofit in the United States dedicated to plug-in “balcony” solar. We believe that no American should have to choose between saving money and fighting climate change, and we have already helped pass laws in 11 states that make it easier for people to power their own homes with clean energy.

To learn more, get involved, or support Bright Saver's mission, visit brightsaver.org.

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