Utah state Rep. Raymond Ward was inspired by a story in The New York Times about Europe’s growing trend of plug-in solar panels, also known as “balcony solar.” These panels allow people to generate electricity by plugging them directly into a standard outlet, reducing utility bills without the need for expensive rooftop installations.

Utah’s Law and Its Impact

Utah lawmakers passed HB 340 last year with bipartisan and unanimous support, becoming the first state to allow residents to plug solar systems directly into residential outlets. This legislation has spurred interest across the U.S., with 30 more states plus the District of Columbia drafting similar bills.

Ward collaborated with Utah’s largest electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power, to craft language for his bill. The legislation removes liability for utilities, and owners of plug-in panels can’t ask for payments for the electricity they send back to the grid. It also requires Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to develop safety certification for plug-in panels.

Safety Concerns and Certification

UL has issued a white paper outlining potential hazards with the panel systems and developed product-level requirements for certified products. No plug-in systems have been certified by UL to date, but the company expects that to change soon.

Some companies, like EcoFlow, are already selling portable solar systems online. However, these systems have not been tested and green-lit for safety. EcoFlow is in conversations with UL about certifying their product.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.