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Senate asks state energy utility to study safety and utility of portable 'balcony' solar systems
Summary
Senate Resolution 21 requests a study by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, DNREC and utilities into portable (balcony/plug-in) solar devices, focusing on grid impacts, net metering, safety for linemen, GFCI concerns, interconnection agreements and implementation issues; resolution passed unanimously.
The Delaware Senate adopted Senate Resolution 21 on June 24, requesting the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (with DNREC and the state’s utilities) to study the safety and utility of portable solar generation devices — commonly called "balcony solar" or plug-in solar.
Senator Hansen, sponsor of the resolution, said the study should evaluate impacts on public electric utilities’ service territories, quantify exported energy under varying device sizes and meter configurations, and identify safety concerns (including the risk of backfeeding that might endanger lineworkers and potential effects on GFCI protection). He said the study should also address how excess generation would be recorded by utilities and whether interconnection agreements and associated charges or metering equipment would be appropriate.
"For instance, back feeding into the grid raised a number of safety and capacity concerns by the utilities," Hansen said, describing unresolved questions the study should investigate. The resolution replaces SB270 introduced earlier this year and directs a closer look at technical and safety issues before wider policy decisions are made.
The Senate recorded 21 yes votes and declared Senate Resolution 21 passed.
Next steps: the designated agencies and utilities will be requested to undertake the study and report back as directed by the resolution.
