Bill concept would clear rules for 'balcony' plug‑in solar, seek protections for renters and safety standards
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Summary
Representative Sarah Finger McDonald and Sierra Club Oregon briefed the Senate committee on a legislative concept to allow small plug‑in solar systems for renters and multi‑unit residents, requiring code compliance and protections for landlords, HOAs and electrical safety; members raised questions about liability, wattage caps and building wiring capacity.
Representative Sarah Finger McDonald (House District 16) presented a legislative concept on Jan. 13 to create a statutory framework for balcony or plug‑in solar systems — small modular photovoltaic panels designed for balconies, patios and other limited spaces that plug into a standard household outlet.
McDonald said the bill aims to expand access to on‑site clean energy for renters, low‑income families, seniors and students who typically cannot install rooftop systems. The proposal would clarify permitting and interconnection rules for small systems, prevent landlords and homeowners associations from unreasonably prohibiting installations, and require systems to meet Oregon electrical safety rules and UL‑listed anti‑islanding and shutoff protections. McDonald also said the Building Codes Division would be authorized to adjust building code guidance for mounting and wiring considerations in older multifamily buildings.
Emily Bowes, policy strategist for Sierra Club Oregon, told the committee the systems are small, are capped in size in comparable laws (she cited Utah's 1,200‑watt limit), use certified inverters that shut off automatically during outages, and have been widely adopted in Germany with millions of households using them safely.
Committee members focused on technical details: whether building wiring can handle many simultaneous plug‑in devices, how landlords and HOAs would be treated, liability and indemnity language, mounting/weight and wind‑tie requirements, and whether devices are UL‑certified yet. Legislative counsel (Chris Alnath) said the draft includes provisions intended to address landlord liability and noted that landlords and HOAs could restrict use where wiring capacity or safety concerns exist; licensed electrician requirements remain in place for regulated wiring work.
Presenters and members agreed the concept aims to expand access to small‑scale solar while maintaining safety and building integrity; several senators said further refinement is needed on liability language, wattage caps, and HOAs' statutory authority.
