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Firefighters Urge UL Certification for Portable Solar Devices at House Energy Committee Hearing
Summary
At a March 31 hearing on S.202, Chris Dubie, president of the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, urged lawmakers to require UL certification and NEC compliance for portable photovoltaic devices, citing fire and shock risks; the committee scheduled a markup later this week to add safety provisions.
Representative Kathleen James convened the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on March 31 to continue testimony on S.202, a bill addressing portable solar energy devices. Chris Dubie, president of the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, testified that his union supports the technology but urged strict safety standards before allowing in‑state sales.
"Our biggest concern, no doubt, is the safety of these devices," Dubie told the committee, identifying himself for the record and saying he spoke on behalf of the International Association of Firefighters. He said portable photovoltaic panels were originally designed for low‑power outdoor uses such as camping but are increasingly marketed to plug into home outlets.
Dubie distinguished between component testing and full‑device certification, saying many products…
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