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Senate committee weighs bill to legalize small plug-in solar units with safety and registry conditions
Summary
Senate Energy Committee heard extensive testimony on SB 540, which would allow portable plug-in solar devices (up to 800 watts), require safety standards and a 30-day registration, exempt them from net metering, and limit utility liability; witnesses urged technical edits around UL 3700, outlets, and aggregate device tracking.
Sen. David Waters introduced SB 540, a bill to define and enable small portable plug-in solar generation devices and to set safety and notification requirements for their use.
Supporters — including community-energy groups, conservation organizations and solar companies — told the committee the technology broadens access to behind-the-meter solar for renters, low-income households and small businesses, reduces bills, and can be safely deployed with appropriate standards and a short registration requirement. Dina Dennis of the Community Power Coalition said the bill ‘‘expands customer choice without mandates or subsidies’’ and urged modest technical refinements.
Sponsor’s proposal and rationale Sen. Waters said the amended bill (Amendment 17) reduces the maximum output to 800 watts, clarifies the devices are not net-metered generation, and adds a…
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