California just made it legal to turn balconies into tiny power plants

The state is the biggest to approve solar panels that plug into walls, giving residents a cheaper way to generate their own electricity. 

By Matt Simon
October 5, 2026
California just made it legal to turn balconies into tiny power plants
Hendrik Schmidt / Picture Alliance via Getty Images
loading
loading
loading
Matt Simon

Matt Simon is a senior staff writer at Wired covering biology, robotics, and the environment.

 
Read our newsletter
We partner with creators, thought leaders, and news organizations to explain how smart policy can sustain a safe and livable planet. Please, join us.