By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A Virginia lawmaker announced plans this week for a bill that would let residents use small plug-in solar panels at home.
The proposal focuses on what is often called balcony solar, creating a new category of “small portable solar generation devices.” These are portable panels that generate under 1,200 watts and plug directly into a standard wall outlet.
The devices are widely used in Germany and other parts of Europe and are designed to offset daytime electricity use from things like refrigerators, lights and small appliances.
“If a Virginian wants to hang a panel off their balcony rail or patio and save a few bucks a month, they shouldn’t need a lawyer and an engineer to do it,” said Oates in a statement.
“Right now, solar is something you can only do if you own a house and have the right kind of roof,” she continued. “This bill opens the door for everyone else: apartment-dwellers, condo owners, and people in homes shaded by trees. It’s a small change that helps a lot of people.”
Under current Virginia law, even small solar units typically require a utility interconnection agreement. The state’s interconnection rules apply to all small generators that feed power into a home’s wiring, which includes plug-in solar devices.
Oates’ office said the systems typically run between $600 and $1,200, depending on the setup. The systems are marketed as a way to offset a portion of monthly electricity use, which can help lower bills during daytime hours.
Utah became the first state to approve plug-in solar legislation earlier this year, passing it unanimously and exempting small systems from utility interconnection rules. Lawmakers in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont have introduced similar proposals.
The legislation is still being drafted and is expected to be introduced when the General Assembly convenes in January.