Legislation that could legalize plug-in solar is active in every corner of the United States. Thirty-five states and D.C. have enacted, passed or are currently deliberating bills concerning plug-in solar, according to a chart maintained by Canary Media.

Colloquially known as balcony solar, or legally known as “portable solar generation devices,” this scale of photovoltaics is closer to something purchased off the shelf rather than commissioned and built by specialized contractors. Someone living in a state where this is permitted can acquire a plug-in microinverter and a few solar modules (depending on the microinverter’s wattage rating) and literally plug the inverter into an AC outlet in their home.

The most recent state to pass a related bill is California. Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior VP focusing on California at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and former executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA), spoke to Solar Power World about the kind of advocacy behind these plug-in solar bills and how the technology could catalyze the larger solar PV market.

Plug-in solar goes by many names, including “backyard solar,” because the portable PV systems can operate in many different places. Credit: Bernadette Del Chiaro/Environmental Working Group

Del Chiaro : Broadly speaking, our energy supplies right now in America are actually toxic. When you think about EWG’s place in the world, where and how we get our energy is causing massive public health issues. In California, you add another wrinkle to this, and that is with increased heat, with climate change, California’s extreme heat days, that’s another public health threat, and people need access to affordable electricity.

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