Best Plug-in Solar Kits in the US: Craftstrom vs. Bright Saver vs. EcoFlow

A detailed comparison of the three leading plug-in solar systems available in the US: pros, cons, pricing, and where they're available.

The Plug-in Solar Market in 2026

As of April 2026, the US plug-in solar market has three major players. None offer UL 3700–certified products yet (certification expected by late 2026), but all are shipping functioning systems to customers.

Here's what you need to know to choose.

Craftstrom: The Value Leader

Who they are: A distributed solar company with around four thousand systems in the field and a five-year track record.

What they sell: Modular 200W bifacial panels with a micro-inverter. Stack as many as you need (200W, 400W, 800W, 1,600W).

Availability: 35 US states. Check their website to confirm your state.

Pricing: ~$1.60 per watt installed cost. So:

400W system: ~$640
800W system: ~$1,280
1,200W system: ~$1,920

Key features:

Bifacial panels capture reflected light from the ground, boosting output by 10–15%
Modular design: add panels incrementally
Simple monitoring app
5-year parts warranty
Installation is DIY-friendly; most customers handle it themselves

Pros:

Lowest cost per watt in the market
Proven track record (thousands of systems operating)
Modular: buy one panel now, expand later
Bifacial advantage in reflected-light scenarios (patio, parking lot)
No shipping surprises—you receive panels individually, can test before assembly

Cons:

Availability limited to 35 states (regulatory variation)
Monitoring app is basic—no advanced features
Warranty is just five years (shorter than competitors)
Not yet UL 3700 certified (expected late 2026)
Customer support is minimal; mostly self-service online community

Who it's for: Budget-conscious homeowners who don't mind DIY installation and are comfortable with community-based support.

Bright Saver: The West Coast Advocate

Who they are: A Bay Area/LA-based company with a mission-driven approach. They're actively pushing state-level legislation to expand plug-in solar definition in California and other states.

What they sell: Backyard and balcony-specific kits. Smaller, more aesthetically integrated systems.

Availability: Bay Area and Los Angeles area for in-person pickup. They're expanding but still regional.

Pricing: Varies by kit. Backyard systems run similar to Craftstrom (~$1.60/watt), but balcony kits are cheaper per watt due to economies of scale in their region.

Key features:

Designed specifically for residential environments (backyard, patio, balcony)
Aesthetic integration (looks less "industrial" than typical panels)
Strong monitoring app with community features
Active in advocacy and policy work
Engineering support included

Pros:

Mission-aligned company; profits reinvested in advocacy
Beautiful, integrated design
Better customer support than Craftstrom
West Coast focus means faster warranty claims, local support
Advocacy work benefits all plug-in solar users (including competitors)

Cons:

Geographic limitation: Bay Area and LA only (for now)
Pricier for comparable wattage if you're not in their service area
Shipping costs are high if you're outside California
Not yet UL 3700 certified
Smaller community of users means fewer peer reviews/support

Who it's for: West Coast customers who value aesthetics, community advocacy, and willing to pay a premium for it. Also: people who want to support a mission-driven company.

EcoFlow: The Battery Integration Leader

Who they are: A major global energy storage company. Their PowerStream system is their entry into plug-in solar.

What they sell: PowerStream: a 600W or 800W system that integrates seamlessly with EcoFlow battery products (Delta 2, Delta 3, etc.).

Availability: Currently Utah-only. Expansion to other states expected throughout 2026.

Pricing: $1.58 per watt (panels + inverter). Plus battery costs if you add one:

400W system: ~$632
800W system: ~$1,264
EcoFlow Delta 3 battery: ~$3,000–4,000

Key features:

Seamless pairing with EcoFlow batteries
Top-tier monitoring app (EcoFlow's is industry-leading)
Battery support means you can store excess power for evening use
5-year parts warranty
Professional customer support

Pros:

Best app and user experience in the market
Battery integration is genuine added value (backup power, time-of-use shifting)
Professional support and service
EcoFlow's battery ecosystem is mature and reliable
Once certified, likely to be first in UL 3700

Cons:

Utah-only right now (limits addressability)
Battery cost is significant ($3,000–4,000) and adds complexity
System is less modular than Craftstrom
More expensive per watt if you don't want a battery
Overkill if you just want simple bill reduction

Who it's for: People in Utah (or soon, other western states) who want grid independence, backup power during outages, or time-of-use optimization. Early adopters who like nice tech.

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Feature	Craftstrom	Bright Saver	EcoFlow
Cost per watt	$1.60	$1.60–1.70	$1.58
Available states	35	2 (CA)	1 (UT)
Panel type	Bifacial	Monocrystalline	Monocrystalline
Modular	Yes	Somewhat	No
Monitoring	Basic	Good	Excellent
Battery option	No	No	Yes
Warranty	5 years	5 years	5 years
Customer support	Community	Email/phone	Professional
UL 3700 status	Pending	Pending	Pending

How to Choose

If you want the cheapest entry: Craftstrom. $1.60/watt is hard to beat, and their track record is solid.

If you want beauty and advocacy: Bright Saver. You're paying for design, community, and their mission work. Worth it if it aligns with you and you're in California.

If you want integration and backup: EcoFlow. You're paying for the app, battery integration, and professional support. Worth it if you can use a battery and you're in Utah (or soon, other states).

The Elephant in the Room: UL 3700

None of these systems are officially UL 3700 certified yet. Certification is expected by late 2026.

Until then, you have risk:

Systems may not qualify for the 30% federal tax credit (IRS guidance unclear)
Utilities might reject grid-tied operation (unlikely, but possible)
Insurance claims could be denied in edge cases

We recommend waiting for certification before buying, unless you're confident about tax credit eligibility and your utility's stance. Talk to a tax professional if you're on the fence.

Once certification arrives (expected late 2026), that risk evaporates.

DIY vs. Pre-Built

A fourth option exists: DIY combos. You can buy a 400W bifacial panel (~~$200–250), a micro-inverter (~~$300–400), cables and breakers (~$50), and assemble it yourself for ~$550–700. Cost per watt drops to $0.65–0.88.

Trade-off: no warranty, no support, higher risk of mistakes.

Most people prefer pre-built kits from Craftstrom or Bright Saver for peace of mind.

Availability Is Destiny

The single biggest factor in your choice is availability. If Craftstrom ships to your state, you have an option. If you're in Utah and want battery integration, EcoFlow is unique. If you're in California and value design, Bright Saver is accessible.

Check each company's website for your state. That often narrows your choices to one or two.

What to Look for in Any Kit

Regardless of brand, evaluate these:

1. Inverter quality — The inverter (DC to AC converter) is the most likely component to fail. Look for brands like APsystems, Enphase, or Growatt.

2. Panel efficiency — Modern panels are 21–23% efficient. Higher efficiency panels = more power in small spaces.

3. Monitoring app — You'll want to track generation. Make sure the app works on your phone and updates data in real-time.

4. Cable quality — Cheap cables degrade in sun. Look for UV-rated, outdoor-grade cables.

5. GFCI compatibility — Your outlet needs GFCI protection. Make sure the system works with GFCI outlets and doesn't trigger false trips.

6. Warranty length — 5 years is standard. 10 years is excellent. 2 years is weak.

7. Anti-islanding certification — Required for safety. Systems must shut down when the grid fails. All three major brands have this.

What About Price Changes?

Solar costs are declining. Craftstrom is already at $1.60/watt. Bright Saver and EcoFlow are tracking similarly.

Prices might drop further in 2026–2027 as manufacturing scales and UL certification is achieved. But the difference between buying now and buying three months from now is likely only 5–10%.

If you see good sun and want to start generating power, buy now. If you can wait until late 2026 for UL certification and potentially better pricing, that's defensible too.

Next Steps

Ready to compare? Read our detailed Craftstrom review for an in-depth look at the most available system.

Or check out the buying checklist for a complete evaluation framework.

Want to size your system first? See the 400W vs 800W vs 1,200W guide.