CraftStrom’s Smart Plug & Play Solar Kits Are Already NEC & UL Compliant

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With the passage of Utah House Bill 340, the state has officially legalized residential plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts AC, marking a major step toward decentralized, homeowner-installed PV. The law exempts these systems from conventional utility interconnection agreements, provided they include anti-islanding protection and do not exceed branch circuit limitations.

However, the CleanTechnica article announcing the bill noted that according to PV Magazine, no such systems currently meet both UL and NEC standards. That’s actually incorrect. One company — CraftStrom — already manufactures compliant, plug-and-play solar kits that satisfy both sets of requirements.

What the Law Requires

HB340 legalizes plug-in systems that:

• Operate at or below 1,200W AC (aggregate output)
• Plug into a standard 15A or 20A 120V outlet
• Include listed (UL) inverter equipment with anti-islanding functionality
• Prevent grid export (either via zero-export tech or smart disconnect)
• Do not overload the connected circuit per NEC 210.23(A)(1)

This effectively removes soft costs (permits, engineering reviews, utility interconnection) for small-scale plug-in solar, as long as the system behaves like a managed load and complies with UL 1741 and NEC.

CraftStrom’s Technical Compliance

CraftStrom’s systems are built specifically to meet these conditions:

• Inverters: Each panel is paired with a dedicated 350W microinverter listed under UL 1741, which includes testing for anti-islanding under IEEE 1547.
• Smart Breaker (NEC Safety Gate): This device monitors total current on the connected branch circuit and disconnects the system when aggregate draw nears the 80% circuit rating threshold, as required under NEC 210.23(A) and 240.4(D).
• PowerMeter: A clamp-on CT sensor with a wireless connection to the CraftStrom app. It actively tracks household load and inverter output to enforce zero-export logic in real-time, preventing backfeed.
• Connection method: Systems connect via a NEMA 5-15 plug and are treated as managed non-continuous loads. The Smart Breaker ensures the system disconnects before any overcurrent condition is reached.

From a code standpoint, CraftStrom’s kits conform to both UL equipment listings and NEC load control principles, without requiring a hardwired connection or breaker panel integration.

System Architecture

CraftStrom’s modular design supports up to 2,000W (AC) across multiple units, but to comply with Utah’s law, customers can simply scale to a 1,200W configuration. For example:

CraftStrom’s 1,200W kit includes:

All system communication is managed via a local Wi-Fi connection to the CraftStrom mobile app, which functions as the control center for real-time data, safety protocols, and user overrides.

Battery-Integrated Options

For users looking to increase self-consumption and resilience, CraftStrom offers plug-in battery modules compatible with its solar kits. Its battery towers use LFP (LiFePO₄) chemistry, with 1kWh stackable modules and built-in AI-based energy management.

A typical hybrid setup might include:

• 1,600W solar array (8 × 200W panels)
• 3.0kWh LFP storage (3 × 1kWh modules)
• 4 × 350W microinverters
• PowerMeter and Smart Breaker

These battery-integrated kits can operate in load-shifting mode or backup mode, depending on configuration. They can charge during solar hours and discharge during peak demand or outages, coordinated via the same app interface.

Why It Matters

While many companies advertise “plug-and-play” solar, few actually produce systems that meet both UL and NEC standards without requiring field modification or professional installation. CraftStrom’s system was built specifically to eliminate those soft costs and friction points while staying fully code-compliant.

This is particularly significant in jurisdictions like Utah, where utility coordination and permitting requirements have historically discouraged small-scale residential solar. Now, with state law affirming the legality of these systems, homeowners can install up to 1,200W AC without interconnection red tape —  assuming their gear is compliant.

Implications For Broader Adoption

Utah’s legislation may catalyze similar rule changes in other states. Already, the NEC recognizes plug-in solar under limited conditions (see NEC 690.12 and 705.12), and the increasing availability of UL-listed plug-in gear makes it feasible for other jurisdictions to follow suit.

If more states adopt similar frameworks, it opens the door for:

• Renters and apartment dwellers to participate in solar
• Faster deployment of distributed generation
• Increased grid resilience via behind-the-meter generation
• Lower customer acquisition and installation costs for solar manufacturers

CraftStrom’s product line is positioned right at the intersection of this opportunity — offering scalable, certified, plug-in PV systems that meet the new legal thresholds while maintaining technical rigor.

Bottom Line

While some industry observers claim there are no compliant plug-in solar systems available, CraftStrom has already built and shipped them. The company’s gear meets the UL and NEC standards that Utah’s new law requires. And for homeowners who want to install safe, reliable solar without dealing with permits, inspections, or electricians, it’s a turnkey solution that just works.

As more states reconsider how distributed energy should be regulated, companies like CraftStrom aren’t waiting — they’re building the future right now.