Do You Have to Wait for SB 868? How Zero-Export Plug-In Solar Works Today
Update, September 30, 2026: Governor Newsom signed SB 868 into law. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
One of the most common questions we get: “Should I wait for SB 868 before buying plug-in solar?” The answer comes down to one word: backfeeding. (New to the law? Start with California SB 868 explained.)
What is backfeeding?
A plug-in solar system powers whatever is running in your home first. If the panels produce more than your home is using at that moment, the extra power flows out through your meter and onto the utility grid. That is backfeeding, or exporting.
Exporting to the grid is exactly what utility interconnection rules are designed to control. Under today's rules, a system that sends power to the grid is expected to go through your utility's interconnection process first, and doing so without approval can put you out of line with your utility's rules.
What SB 868 changes
Starting January 1, 2027, SB 868 exempts certified plug-in systems up to 1,200 watts AC per home from interconnection requirements, utility approval and utility fees. In practice, that means a qualifying device can occasionally push a little power back to the grid without you needing an interconnection agreement or facing a utility penalty for it. Utilities can still ask you to register the device with a simple online form. Two things to know:
- The exemption starts January 1, 2027. Until then, today's interconnection rules still apply, and certified kits may take time to reach stores after that.
- SB 868 does not create a way to get paid for exported power. It is designed for offsetting your own usage.
The zero-export solution you can use now
A zero-export smart meter takes backfeeding off the table. Our APsystems EZ1-LV kits include the APmeter, which measures what your home is drawing in real time and tells the microinverter to throttle down so its output never exceeds your usage. The result:
- Every watt your panels make is used inside your home.
- Nothing is pushed back onto the grid, so there is no backfeeding to worry about.
- You still get the benefit: lower draw from the utility while the sun is out.
That is why we only sell the EZ1 with the APmeter. You don't have to wait for SB 868 to take effect to start using plug-in solar; the zero-export setup is designed to keep your system on your side of the meter from day one. Growing later? One APmeter manages every EZ1-LV Add-On Microinverter you add.
Good practice before you plug in
- APsystems notes the APmeter is installed at your electrical panel by a qualified professional. Plan for that step: you can add an Electrician Visit to your order.
- Utility rules differ. It is worth a quick check with your utility about any notice requirements for non-exporting systems in your area.
- Use an outdoor-rated, GFCI-protected outlet and keep your total within the kit's rated output. Running two or more microinverters? Read why a dedicated circuit matters.
Renting? See what SB 868 means for balcony solar in your apartment. Worried about outages? Here's how to keep your lights on in a blackout.
See the zero-export plug-in kit →Book an electrician
This article is general information, not legal advice. SB 868 details are based on the enrolled bill text (August 28, 2026), which Governor Newsom signed on September 30, 2026.
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