Over the past decade, the price of solar has dropped significantly. As a result, distributed solar is far more accessible to the average person than ever before. Though efficiency improvements and manufacturing shifts have brought the price of solar down, residential solar is still out of reach for many. Common barriers such as cost, roof conditions, and renting have kept the clean energy technology out of reach for even the most interested solar enthusiasts. Now that electricity costs are rising, there is an ever-growing push to make home solar systems more accessible. Enter plug-in solar, small photovoltaic (PV) systems typically under 2 kilowatts (kW) that can be plugged directly into a wall outlet to offset a portion of a household’s energy consumption.
What makes plug-in solar systems so unique is their size, price point, and simplicity. The panels can be mounted on a balcony or fence and easily transferred from one home to the next, making them a better option for renters and homeowners seeking electricity bill relief without the price tag and commitment of a large roof-mounted solar array. Basic kits include a set of solar panels, a microinverter, and connector cables. The panels convert sunlight into electricity during the day, while microinverters ensure that electricity can be used in the home. The systems plug into a regular household power outlet, meaning setup and installation are relatively simple.
These systems are not meant to power an entire house like larger rooftop systems can, but they provide a benefit similar to energy-efficient appliances, which lower electricity bills and pay for themselves after a few years of use. There are enough plug-in options on the market now to meet a range of needs. Bifacial, flexible, and portable solar panels are available, so placement options are far from limited. More expensive kits with a battery included allow for power to be stored and used after the sun sets. This technology has the potential to make solar more accessible to those who would benefit the most from lower power bills and resiliency.
The Thriving European Plug-In Solar Market
Plug-in solar is a thriving phenomenon in Europe. Germany, in particular, has the highest adoption rate. There are over one million registered balcony solar systems in Germany, collectively representing power production of around 700 megawatts, equal to a large power plant. Millions more devices are likely installed but unreported, in part because the process to register these systems was only simplified nationwide in 2024. Plug-in solar has been around since the 2000s. The popularization that has occurred over the last decade is thanks to the solar advocacy groups that fought for legalization for years. Twenty-five European countries have legalized plug-in PV, according to SolarPower Europe, and the regulatory landscape for this technology continues to develop as the market for it expands.
Popularizing Plug-In Solar in the US
The plug-in solar craze has made its way across the Atlantic to the U.S., where questions and excitement abound about what may be possible here. This comes at a time when electric utility companies are passing along the cost of new, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure to their customers, and energy demand is reaching new heights. Americans are looking around for ways to cut costs, become more independent, and be part of the solution to the climate crisis. Plug-in solar happens to be a more affordable way for people to generate enough power to lessen the impact of these costly changes. Clean energy advocacy groups are waking up to the importance of this technology, but so are lawmakers.
Plug-In Solar Legislation in the US
Utah became the first state in the country to enact a law to help clear the way for residents to install plug-in solar. Earlier this year, state Rep. Ray Ward introduced House Bill 340. The bill passed the Utah Legislature unanimously. The new law exempts portable solar generation devices under 1200 kW from the state law that requires an interconnection agreement with one’s local electric utility. Additional exemptions include no associated utility fees and no utility approval needed. Other legislators across the country are following suit to ensure the residents of their state can lower their bills with these systems. Lawmakers are introducing their own plug-in solar legislation from Oregon all the way to New Hampshire. Pilot projects are springing up across the Southeast, and consumer interest is growing rapidly.
Where We Need to Go Next
Because plug-in solar is just beginning to take off in the United States, there are naturally some growing pains. One issue is that different utility companies have varying stances on which safety certifications are required, and if the system as a whole needs to be certified or only the components. In some jurisdictions, there is no safety certification requirement at all as long as other standards are met. Utah requires that all systems be certified by a national testing lab and meet National Electric Code standards. Proposed legislation in other states will likely include a similar requirement. Much like Germany in the late 2010s, the regulatory powers that be are taking baby steps towards creating plug-in solar-specific safety standards.
Another emerging issue is skepticism from electric utility companies and resistance to changes in their business model. Most utilities that are approached and asked about plug-in solar are encountering the technology for the first time. They are also up against state legislation that would effectively cut them completely out of the customer interconnection process for these devices. For plug-in solar to have a major impact in the United States, experts and advocates alike will need to quickly familiarize themselves with the technology to overcome the knowledge gap that exists today.
Americans burdened with rising power bills and limited options to take power generation into their own hands deserve an option as simple and affordable as this. The current presidential administration’s hostility towards clean energy has not halted the progress this nation is making towards a clean fossil-free future. Innovative clean energy technologies continue to emerge and the people continue to fight for their right to a healthier environment. Plug-in solar empowers consumers to take their power back.
