You may have heard that solar energy is now the cheapest in history and thus energy industry types are lining up to say you should really consider investing in solar today. But, what if you don’t have a lot of money sitting in the bank and you still want to get in on the solar gold rush? . “Plug-in solar” (also called balcony solar) makes solar available to everyone as long as they have enough money for a single panel. It also opens up the solar market to others left out of the conventional “cover your whole roof with solar panels” fun. This includes renters, apartment dwellers or those with unsuitable roofs (e.g., shaded). Plug-and-play solar systems are behind-the-meter devices that households can mount on a balcony or other structure and literally plug into an electrical outlet. They don’t need to waste time or money complying with utility interconnection or permitting requirements. Plug-and-play systems are small – only a panel or two – typically 200 to 1200 Watts and used to reduce electricity bills. This is possible because solar electricity costs less than grid electricity. A study estimated the potential savings for consumers approximately $13 billion a year in utility costs. That is IF they were allowed to use plug-and-play solar.
States That Allow Plug-and-Play Solar
Last year, Utah became the first state to remove utility approvals for balcony solar (HB 340), setting into motion proposals in half of the U.S.
In early April, Maine joined Utah with legislation (LD 1730), which allows households to install 420-1200-Watt solar and battery systems without obtaining prior utility approval, entering into an interconnection agreement, or paying any fee to the utility.
Now this month, Virginians can join the party too. Virginia’s new solar law (HB 395) prohibits any locality from banning balcony solar on residential structures as long as the units are no more than 1.2kW (1200 Watts or about the power of a hair drier), comply with zoning restrictions and do not export power. The units must meet the standards of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code and be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Fortunately, these systems are safe according to an exhaustive technical/safety analysis of the relevant regulations of plug-and-play solar in the U.S. More recently UL has explained how to make it safe and easy for all Americans.
Will US Go Plug-and-Play Solar?
Now the other 47 states might want to consider letting their citizens cash in on the solar gold rush. How long will it be before all of America joins countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland that already encourage plug-and-play solar?
