SB 868
SB 868 was signed into law September 30, 2026.
- Compliant products are expected around mid-2027.
- The law goes into effect in 2027.
- The law sunsets January 1, 2030.
Until compliant kits arrive, this page covers using a balcony panel to charge a portable power station.
Sources: Governor Newsom, Sept. 30 update · KQED
Estimates use manufacturer specs; real runtime varies with your device and temperature.
How we calculate
Hours = rated Wh × depth of discharge × inverter efficiency ÷ (device watts + self-use). AC180: 90%, 85%, about 15 W. RIVER 2 Max and Jackery Explorer 1000 v2: 90%, 85%, 10 W. Same formula as watts vs watt-hours and the planner.
| Load | Assumed draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Router and modem | 20 W continuous | They stay on together |
| Laptop (charging) | ~60 W each | Drops once charged; charge in bursts |
| 2 phones (charging) | ~20 W | Charge, then unplug |
| Typical WFH total | ~150–160 W | With 2 laptops charging at once. The runtime table uses 160 W. |
| Station | Usable AC energy | No solar | Good solar day* |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max (512 Wh) | 392 Wh 10 W self-use | 2 hours | 5–7 hours |
| BLUETTI AC180 (1,152 Wh) | 881 Wh manufacturer formula | 5 hours | 8–9 hours |
| Jackery 1000 v2 (1,070 Wh) | 819 Wh 10 W self-use | 5 hours | 8–9 hours |
Stations that fit this
| Station | Runtime | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI AC180 | about 5 hours | $449 | We earn a commission on BLUETTI links. Doesn’t change the pick. Buy BLUETTI AC180Code Truewatt: 5% off at BLUETTI (not accessories or flash sales) Check price on Amazon |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | about 5 hours | $559 | Buy Jackery Explorer 1000 v2Check price on Amazon |
AC180 $449, checked Sep 29, 2026, BLUETTI. Other prices come from stations.json.
* A 200 W panel at about 120–150 W for 4–5 peak sun hours adds about 500–750 Wh. Add that to usable AC energy, then divide by device watts plus self-use (170 W, or 175 W on the AC180). Winter, clouds, or a north-facing balcony cut it sharply.
512 Wh is inside PG&E’s window and on the SDG&E list. Rebate tracker. The larger stations here are over the 1,000 Wh cap. RIVER 2 Max: $469, verified 2026-09-21.
Max solar input
A 200 W panel sits under every input below.
| Station | Max solar input | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 600 W | Checked September 15, 2026. |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 500 W | Earlier TrueWatt table. Confirm on the manufacturer page. |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 400 W | Checked September 15, 2026. Confirm panel limits on jackery.com. |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 | 500 W | Checked September 15, 2026. Delisted. The URL redirects to the DELTA 3. |
AC180 $449, checked Sep 29, 2026, BLUETTI. Jackery 1000 v2 $559, checked Oct 1, 2026, jackery.com. RIVER 2 Max $469, checked 2026-09-21. Panel prices are not confirmed. Match voltage and connector on the manufacturer page.
Balcony setup and the lease
On a balcony
- Mount. Use the stand on the floor, or strap a rigid panel to the railing. A folding panel you set out only when needed is safer up high.
- Cable. Under a sliding door or a cracked window. No drilling. Don’t pinch the insulation. The station stays indoors.
- Aim. Tilt south. A north-facing balcony in winter is the worst case.
- When. Keep the station charged from the wall. Set the panel out when an outage is forecast or underway.
What a 200 W panel actually adds
| Condition | Real output | Daily energy (5 sun hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Clear summer day, good angle | ~140–160 W | ~700–800 Wh |
| Clear day, flat on the balcony floor | ~100–120 W | ~500–600 Wh |
| Overcast / winter | ~30–60 W | ~150–300 Wh |
| Storm (when outages happen) | ~10–30 W | ~50–150 Wh |
Output is lowest in the weather that causes outages. For a fridge, the battery is the plan. The panel adds runtime for a router, laptops, and phones.
Lease, and what to skip
Lease, and what to skip
- No installation and no permit for the station. Check the lease before you attach anything to the balcony.
- Skip 400 W+ panels on a balcony: weight, wind, and most 1,000 Wh stations cannot take the full input.
- Skip a panel with no station, or one whose open-circuit voltage you cannot check against the station’s max solar input.