Key takeaways
- Best certified microinverter for a DIY kit: APsystems EZ1 ($325, CSA-certified to UL 3700, 900 VA, two panels).
- Cheapest complete starter kit: Bright Saver's 360 W kit ($414 for members) built on the UL 3700 Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV.
- Best complete certified system: Mango Power S — four 300 W panels and an Intertek UL 3700 listing.
- Best with a battery: EcoFlow STREAM Ultra (1.92 kWh), but its UL 3700 certification was still pending in October 2026.
- Skip European balcony kits: they're built for 230 V grids and aren't US-certified.
The US plug-in solar market is brand new, and most "best of" lists are written by sellers. This one isn't. We don't sell kits, take payment for placement or earn commissions on these picks.
How we chose. We compared published specifications, independent certifications, price and US availability as of October 7, 2026. We have not lab-tested these products, and we say so rather than pretend. Certification carries the most weight, because it's what your state's law asks for and what keeps the plug safe.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Product | Certification | AC output | Price* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best certified microinverter | APsystems EZ1 | CSA to UL 3700 | 900 VA | $325 (inverter only) | Building a solid 800 W kit |
| Cheapest complete starter | Bright Saver kit (360 W) | Microinverter UL 3700; kit not system-certified | 360 W | $414 members / $499 | Renters testing the waters |
| Best certified complete system | Mango Power S | Intertek UL 3700 | 4 × 300 W panels | Check current price | Turnkey, larger homes |
| Best with battery (watch list) | EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | UL 1741 / IEEE 1547; UL 3700 pending | 800 W (more in some configs) | ≈ $1,399 | Time-of-use rates |
*Published prices when we checked; they change often. Full certification status for every product is on our UL 3700 certified products list.
1. APsystems EZ1 — best certified microinverter
Why it wins: it's the most affordable microinverter certified to UL 3700 (by CSA), and its two independent MPPT inputs let each panel work on its own — useful when one is partly shaded or panels face different ways.
- Output: up to 900 VA, under the 1,200 W cap used in most states
- Inputs: two panels, each with its own MPPT
- Monitoring: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth through the AP EasyPower app
- Warranty: 12 years when registered
- Extras: optional APmeter ($90) for zero-export control
- Price: $325 including a 5 m power cord
What you add: two panels within the EZ1's input limits (check the datasheet's voltage and current figures), mounting hardware rated for your railing or surface, and an outdoor-rated outlet. All-in, a two-panel setup typically lands around $600–$900, depending on panels and mounts.
Estimated savings for an ~800 W setup facing south and tilted: about $166/yr at the US average rate and about $378/yr in California (calculator).
Watch out for: you're assembling the system yourself, so panel compatibility and mounting are on you. Follow our installation guide.
2. Bright Saver 360 W kit — cheapest complete starter
Why it's here: Bright Saver is a Bay Area nonprofit that has advocated for plug-in solar laws across the country and sells kits at cost to members. Its kits use the Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV, the first microinverter announced as UL 3700 compliant.
- Options: 180 W (one panel) or 360 W (two panels)
- Price: $285.30 / $414.17 for members ($29/yr membership), $499 for non-members
- Includes: panel(s), microinverter, 15 ft power cord, stainless zip-tie mounting; you need an outdoor GFCI outlet
- Certification: the microinverter is UL 3700 compliant; Bright Saver states that whole-kit system certification hasn't been achieved yet
- Availability: ships only to states with plug-in solar laws; stock has sold out at times
Estimated savings for 360 W: about $75/yr at the US average rate and about $170/yr in California — small, but the low price keeps payback short in high-rate states.
Watch out for: low output. If your home's daytime base load is above ~300 W, you'll want more capacity.
3. Mango Power S — best certified complete system
Why it's here: it's the first complete plug-in system (rather than a lone microinverter) announced as UL 3700 certified, by Intertek, in September 2026.
- Includes: four 300 W panels, four microinverters, a smart gateway and mounting hardware
- Smart features: energy monitoring and zero-export control
- Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
- Price: not published in the announcement — check the seller
Watch out for: four panels is a lot of balcony. Make sure you have the space, and that the system's AC output setting stays within your state's cap.
4. EcoFlow STREAM Ultra — best with a battery (watch list)
Why it's here: an integrated 1.92 kWh LFP battery lets you store midday solar for the evening — the scenario where batteries pay off, especially on time-of-use rates.
- Output: 800 W AC (higher in some supported configurations)
- Certification: UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 listed; UL 3700 reported in progress as of October 2026
- Price: reported around $1,399
- Availability: sold for use in plug-in solar law states, starting with Utah
Watch out for: until UL 3700 certification is confirmed, the certified options above are the safer legal bet in most states. Read is a battery worth it?
Not recommended in the US (yet)
- Anker SOLIX balcony products and BLUETTI Balco: designed for European 230 V / 50 Hz grids and not US-certified.
- Any kit without a verifiable US certification, or with a cable that has male plugs on both ends.
How to choose between them
- You want the best value for a typical home → APsystems EZ1 plus two panels.
- You rent and want to start small and cheap → Bright Saver 360 W.
- You want everything in one certified box → Mango Power S.
- You're on a time-of-use plan and can wait → keep an eye on EcoFlow STREAM Ultra's certification.
Before you buy: confirm plug-in solar is legal in your state and in force, measure your space, and run your numbers in the calculator. For the full buying checklist, see how to choose a plug-in solar kit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best plug-in solar kit in the US?
For most people building a typical 800 W setup, the APsystems EZ1 microinverter paired with two certified panels offers the best mix of certification (CSA to UL 3700), output (900 VA) and price ($325 for the microinverter). For a cheap, complete starter kit, Bright Saver's 360 W kit costs $414 for members. For a complete UL 3700-certified system, look at Mango Power S.
Are any plug-in solar kits UL 3700 certified?
Yes. As of October 2026, the Hoymiles HiFlow Pro and APsystems EZ1 microinverters and the Mango Power S system have been announced as UL 3700 certified. See our full list of UL 3700 certified products.
How much does a plug-in solar kit cost?
A complete 800 W setup typically costs about $600–$900 when you build it around a certified microinverter like the APsystems EZ1. Small 180–360 W starter kits start under $500; systems with integrated batteries cost $1,000 or more.
Can I buy a plug-in solar kit if my state hasn't legalized it?
You can buy equipment, but connecting a grid-tied system to your home's wiring may breach your utility's interconnection rules until your state passes a law. Some sellers, like Bright Saver, only ship to states with a law.
Sources
- APsystems USA — EZ1 plug-in microinverter
- Hoymiles — HiFlow Pro, the first UL 3700-compliant plug-in microinverter in the US
- Bright Saver — Balcony solar kits
- PR Newswire — Mango Power S earns UL 3700 certification
- EcoFlow — STREAM plug & play solar system
- Solar Waypoint — Best plug-in solar systems in the U.S. (Sep 2026)