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Panel backs stakeholder amendment to create guardrails for plug‑in solar devices; asks DOE, utilities to continue work
Summary
After technical debate over UL standards, metering and inadvertent exports, the committee adopted a stakeholder amendment for SB 540 FN to set device standards, require consumer information and limit single‑meter export size; the bill passed Ought to Pass as amended 16–1.
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted April 13 to advance Senate Bill 540 FN with a stakeholder‑draft amendment that aims to balance public safety and consumer access for plug‑in ("balcony" or portable) solar generation devices.
Background and purpose: SB 540 was introduced to address safety concerns about consumer solar units that plug into household outlets and can export power onto the distribution system. Proponents emphasized the need for standards so devices do not endanger lineworkers or create hazardous backfeed during outages; opponents noted that consumer devices sold online are difficult to enforce and that certification requirements alone may have limited practical effect.
Stakeholder compromise and key provisions: The amendment the committee adopted (1452H) reflects work by a multistakeholder group (including the Department of Energy, utilities and consumer advocates). It requires that plug‑in solar generation systems meet or exceed standards set by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; allows the Department of Energy to publish consumer guidance (meter compatibility, safety and billing impacts); and permits electric distribution utilities to adopt reasonable methods for customers to report system wattage. The stakeholder amendment also set a pragmatic cap on maximum inverter output (1,200 watts AC) per metered customer to reduce the risk of inadvertent exports being recorded as usage and to limit distribution‑level impacts.
Safety vs. enforceability: Representative Harrington warned the committee that these devices are designed to run continuously and could backfeed the grid during outages if anti‑islanding and other protections are absent. Representative Corman and others pointed to anti‑islanding requirements in the UL 3700 standard and argued that establishing a standard—while imperfect—creates a basis for later enforcement and consumer guidance. Utilities urged including a wattage cap in statute so billing and engineering impacts remain manageable.
Vote and next steps: The committee adopted amendment 1452H and then voted Ought to Pass as amended (16–1). Members asked the Department of Energy to publish a consumer information page and asked utilities to prepare procedures to accept customer notifications of system wattage. The committee also signaled it would pursue a committee of conference if additional technical changes were necessary.
Representative McGee said the amendment provides a reasonable groundwork: "We should get something on the books that refers to the process that's underway now so that when the UL 3700 rules are available they become the rules we adopt." Representative Harrington said further study may still be necessary to address technical installation and safety gaps.
Provenance: Committee debate and the final vote are recorded in the committee transcript; the utilities and DOE discussed metering and inadvertent export issues in the resumed afternoon session.
