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Renters

You can't wire anything, and you'll want to take it with you. That points to a small balcony kit where your state allows it, and a portable battery that works anywhere.

Solar Panels Make the power One or two panels on a railing, plugged into an outdoor outlet, where your state and your lease allow it. Battery Store it for later A portable power station is the renter's battery: no wiring, no landlord sign-off to use indoors, and it moves with you. Inverters Turn it into power your stuff can use For a renter, the inverter is the small box behind a plug-in panel. It has to be certified, and it has to shut off when the grid does. Build Your Own Kit Pick all three that fit Use the planner below: choose Rent, add your state and goal, and it tells you what applies, including your lease.

Know this first

  • New Jersey's law bars landlords, HOAs and towns from blocking a qualifying device; most states' laws do not say.
  • EnergySage advises checking your lease, which can restrict exterior changes even where state law allows the device.
  • A battery your appliances plug into goes with you when you move and needs no permission to use indoors.

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