Why Western states are pushing for plug-in solar - High Country News

"Small-scale household solar is common in Germany, where an estimated 4 million units have been installed. It's a simple concept: Just plug one or two solar panels attached to a microinverter into any household outlet, place the panels outside on a patio or balcony, and you can generate enough power to offset around 15% to 20% of your energy usage."

"In the U.S., a tangle of regulatory and market constraints has prevented widespread adoption of the technology, known as balcony or plug-in solar. That could soon change, however: This year, as of press time, lawmakers in 27 states - including Colorado's Rep. Smith - have introduced plug-in solar legislation that would enable anyone to start harnessing the power of the sun and shaving down their power bills."

"The West has, in fact, led the charge on balcony solar: Smith and other lawmakers modeled their bills on a first-in-the-nation plug-in solar law that passed unanimously in Utah last year. Utah's law exempts the technology from costly permitting requirements."

Plug-in solar systems, which consist of one or two solar panels attached to a microinverter that plug into standard household outlets, are widespread in Germany with approximately 4 million units installed. These systems generate enough power to offset 15-20% of household energy usage and cost several hundred dollars, making them accessible to both renters and homeowners. In the United States, regulatory and market constraints have prevented widespread adoption. However, momentum is building as lawmakers in 27 states have introduced legislation to enable plug-in solar adoption. Western states are leading this effort, with bills introduced in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Utah passed the first-in-the-nation plug-in solar law last year, which other states are using as a model.

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