Panels
Light enough to lift with one hand.
CraftStrom Featherweight panels are thin and semi-flexible, with no heavy glass, so they're easy to carry and easy on a railing.
About 9 lbs eachUnder 1/4 inch thickUp to 1,200 W
Solar for renters, condos and HOA communities.
No roof needed. Lightweight, semi-flexible panels hang on a balcony railing or window ledge and plug into a standard outlet.
Run an HOA or manage rentals? Request a free community assessmentNew California law
California's plug-in solar law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Governor Newsom signed SB 868 on September 30, 2026. It lets homes use small plug-in solar systems without the utility paperwork that rooftop solar needs.
- Up to 1,200 wattsper home, plugged into a standard outlet
- No utility permission or feesno interconnection application to SDG&E
- Certified equipment onlytested by UL or an equivalent lab
Live in an HOA or a managed community? Our community program helps your board or property manager approve plug-in solar for every resident. General information, not legal advice.
What it is
Solar that works where rooftop solar can't.
Plug-in solar is a small solar system that hangs on a railing or window ledge and plugs into a regular outdoor outlet. No roof work, and it moves with you.
Renters
Nothing is wired into the building. When you move, unplug it and take it with you.
Condo and townhome owners
No shared roof needed. A sunny balcony, patio or window ledge is enough.
HOA communities
One option your board has already reviewed, so every system looks and works the same.
The equipment
Four parts. One simple system.
Every kit comes as a matched set from one maker, so the parts are built and tested to work together.
Inverter
Turns sunlight into outlet power.
Panels make one kind of electricity. Your home runs on another. An inverter is the small box that converts it, right at the panel.
Zero-export control
Your power stays in your home.
A small smart meter watches what your home is using, and the panels make only that much. Nothing gets pushed back onto the grid. That's what "zero-export" means.
Optional battery
Save the afternoon sun for dinner time.
A battery stores midday solar your home can't use right away and supplies it in the evening, when SDG&E power costs the most. Its outlets can also run a few small devices in an outage.
Featherweight kits1 to 4 kWh
How it works
Three steps. No roof required.
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Mount it
Hang the lightweight panels on a balcony railing or window ledge. Mounting depends on your space.
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Plug it in
Connect to a standard outdoor outlet and pair the app on your phone.
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Watch it save
Your home uses the sun's power first, so you buy less from SDG&E.
Savings calculator
How much could you save?
Slide to your usual SDG&E bill, pick your plan and where the panels would go.
Loading the estimate…
Choose your kit
Featherweight. Solar light enough for a railing.
CraftStrom's semi-flexible panels weigh about 9 lbs each, with no heavy glass. Choose a complete kit or just the parts you need, then request a free compatibility review before you buy.
Estimated pricing
Or choose individual parts
Adding panels, replacing a part, or adding a battery to a system you already have? Add what you need and we'll confirm compatibility and pricing.
Optional battery
Save midday solar for the evening.
Featherweight kits can add 1 to 4 kWh of stackable storage. It holds solar your home can't use right away for the evening, and its outlets can power a few compatible devices in an outage.
Featherweight 1,200 W
Installation
Easy enough to set up yourself.
No roof work and no rewiring. Mount the panels, plug in and pair the app. Or let us set it up for you.
Do it yourself
Included- Step-by-step instructions in the box
- How-to videos from the manufacturer
- Phone and text help from our local team
What you'll need
- A spot that gets several hours of direct sun
- An outdoor outlet nearby
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for the app
Professional installation
Starting at $99Prefer a hand? Installation is available on request. We'll mount the panels, plug everything in and set up the app with you.
- Available on request, starting at $99
- Final price depends on your space and mounting
- Scheduled after your kit arrives
Installation added to your request.
Featherweight 1,200 W
Verify this kit for my homeFor HOAs and property managers
Plug-in solar is coming to your community in January.
We work with your board and management so you understand the equipment before residents start asking. Then your residents get one option you've already reviewed. It costs your association nothing.
We show you the equipment
See the panels, inverters and PowerMeter up close. We walk you through how the system works, how it mounts, how it comes off, how it's designed to protect railings and finishes, and the safety certifications behind it.
We help you set requirements
Together we put simple guidelines in writing for placement, mounting, appearance and approved equipment, shaped around what your board and management need.
We handle the residents
Residents get an option your board and management already know, so approvals move faster. We confirm each setup meets your requirements before it ships, and we're the one point of contact.
Why boards say yes
- Free to the association
- You see and understand the equipment before anything goes up
- Lightweight railing panels with no heavy glass
- Removable mounting, reviewed with you in advance
- One familiar option, so resident requests move faster
- A consistent look across the community
- Certified components with zero-export control
Safety and trust
Safe on day one, and year ten.
Certified components
Every kit is sold as a complete, matched system from one maker. We never mix panels and inverters from different brands.
Zero-export protection
Your system makes just the power your home is using and keeps it all inside your home. It also shuts off automatically if the grid goes down, so line workers stay safe.
Real warranties
Lightweight panels
About 9 lbs per Featherweight panel
No shared roof
Use a suitable sunny space
Removable options
Mounting depends on your site
Energy monitoring
See production and home use
Local guidance
Compatibility review before you buy
Certifications
✓Authorized CraftStrom Distributor
SDLocal San Diego business
Is plug-in solar legal in California?
Yes, starting January 1, 2027. SB 868 lets homes use certified plug-in systems up to 1,200 watts with no utility permission or fees. The current law runs through January 1, 2030, and lawmakers can extend it. Lease and HOA rules still apply, and our community program helps HOAs and property managers set simple rules residents can follow.
Will it work in my apartment?
If you have a balcony, patio, yard or window ledge that gets several hours of direct sun and an outdoor outlet nearby, likely yes. South and west facing spots work best. Our free bill review will tell you for sure.
Do I need my landlord's or HOA's permission?
Usually it's a quick OK. Your lease and HOA rules still apply, so we make it easy. If your board has already reviewed our equipment, approval is usually quicker. If not, point your board or property manager to our community program and we'll work with them directly.
I'm on an HOA board. How does the community program work?
We meet with your board or management team and walk through the equipment: how it works, how it mounts and comes off, how it's designed to protect the property, and its safety certifications. We help you put simple requirements in writing, then give residents one option you've already reviewed. There's no cost to the association. Request a free community assessment below.
Does it send power to the grid?
No. Every kit includes zero-export control. A smart meter watches your home's use, and the system only makes what your home can use right then. With Featherweight, extra midday power can go into an optional battery.
What if I move?
Unplug it and take it with you. Nothing is wired into the building, so it goes where you go.
How much will I save?
Every kilowatt-hour your home uses from your panels is one you don't buy from SDG&E. Solar your home can't use at that moment isn't sent to the grid and earns nothing, so savings depend on your sun, your shade and how much power you use during the day. Try the calculator above, or request a compatibility review for an estimate based on your actual usage.
Is it safe?
Kits use certified components, plug into a standard outdoor outlet, and shut off automatically if the grid goes down. Featherweight panels have no heavy glass, which matters on a railing.
What is the warranty?
Do I need an electrician?
Usually not. Most homes simply plug into an outdoor outlet. If yours needs a dedicated outlet added, any licensed electrician can do it, and we'll tell you exactly what to ask for. Prefer a hand with setup? Professional installation is available on request, starting at $99.
Free compatibility review
We verify it works before you buy.
Tell us about your space. We'll review sunlight, mounting, your outlet and any HOA or landlord requirements, then confirm whether your kit is compatible with your home. Free, with no obligation.
1
Compatibility review
Pick a kit and tell us about your space. We'll verify the equipment works for your home before you pay anything.
2
HOA or property manager?
Request a free community assessment. We'll help your board or team evaluate a consistent approach.
3
Already sure?
Send your order. We'll confirm your kit and delivery, then text you a secure payment link.