Bright Saver and Hoymiles launch sub-$300 plug-in solar kits

Bright Saver has teamed up with Hoymiles to offer what it calls America’s first true plug-and-play home solar kit under $300. The partnership pairs nonprofit, at-cost distribution with newly certified microinverter hardware aimed at renters, homeowners and first-time solar buyers.

Why it matters: - The partnership could lower the entry cost for home solar for renters, homeowners and first-time buyers who have struggled to adopt rooftop systems. - Bright Saver says the kits will be safe and reliable while staying under $300, a price point that could widen access to plug-in solar. - The announcement also puts a safety standard, UL 3700, at the center of the plug-in photovoltaic category.

What happened: - Bright Saver announced a partnership with Hoymiles Power Electronics on July 29, 2026. - The Oakland, California nonprofit sells plug-in balcony solar kits at cost to members. - Hoymiles is a global clean energy technology provider focused on solar and storage solutions. - The companies said the partnership will allow Bright Saver to offer plug-in solar kits to U.S. households for under $300. - Pre-orders for the August batch are open now at Bright Saver.

The details: - The kits use Hoymiles’ microinverter technology and manufacturing scale. - The collaboration combines Bright Saver’s at-cost membership model with Hoymiles’ production capabilities. - The shared goal is to make plug-in solar more accessible to households that have faced barriers to solar adoption. - Hoymiles’ HiFlow 360 Pro microinverter is the unit at the center of Bright Saver’s balcony solar kits. - The HiFlow 360 Pro became the first microinverter worldwide to achieve certification under UL 3700. - UL 3700 is a safety outline developed specifically for plug-in photovoltaic systems. - UL 3700 covers grid safety and rapid shutdown requirements for consumer-installable plug-in solar hardware. - The certification applies to the microinverter, which is the most complex part of a plug-in solar system.

Between the lines: - The partnership is trying to prove that lower prices do not have to come at the expense of safety. - Bright Saver’s nonprofit structure and Hoymiles’ manufacturing scale create a different path than traditional residential solar sales. - The UL 3700 certification gives the category a public benchmark that may matter to regulators and cautious buyers. - Bright Saver says it has already helped pass laws in 9 states that make it cheaper for people to power their homes with clean energy.

What's next: - Bright Saver is taking pre-orders for an August production batch. - The companies are positioning the certified hardware as a foundation for broader plug-in solar adoption in the U.S. - Bright Saver is inviting people to learn more, get involved or support its mission through its website. - Hoymiles says its North America partnership with Bright Saver reflects a longer-term push to deliver safe and affordable clean energy across the U.S.

The bottom line: - Bright Saver and Hoymiles are betting that certified hardware, nonprofit pricing and simpler installation can make plug-in solar a mainstream option for more households.