The Balcony Solar Movement Will Fry Trump’s Brain

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US President Donald Trump’s brain, such as it is, has been hard at work in the service of the fossil fuel industry, with some temporary successes to his credit. However, the signs of ultimate failure are already written into the inevitable march of new energy technologies. The latest sign is the balcony solar movement, which has seemingly popped up out of nowhere to offer electricity ratepayers — home owners and renters alike — a more affordable, accessible way to reduce their utility bills, by generating their own clean power at home.

What’s The Big Deal About Balcony Solar

“Balcony” solar is shorthand for plug-in solar panels that don’t need the kind of specialized racking systems and other equipment required by conventional rooftop solar systems. They literally plug into an ordinary household outlet. They can be hung from balconies, of course, or propped up in a yard, patio, driveway, or other area where sunlight is available.

When the sun is shining, the current from the solar panel feeds into the household system, replacing grid-supplied electricity. Balcony solar systems can also be integrated with home storage systems to keep the clean kilowatts flowing after the sun goes down.

Unlike conventional rooftop systems, balcony solar is also easily portable and transportable. When people move, they can take their solar energy along with them.

The technology itself is not particularly new. However, adoption has been slow to pick up in the US, partly due to cumbersome utility permitting requirements and fees. Homeowner associations can also restrict or inhibit the use of balcony solar systems, and tenants in rental properties are especially likely to encounter roadblocks. In addition, safety and risk certification professionals need to develop standards specific to plug-in solar panels.

The Bills Behind The Balcony Solar Movement

Removing those obstacles is the aim of new balcony solar legislation in the US, inspired by the success of enabling legislation in Germany. Utah was first out of the box last year, with Maine, Virginia, Maryland, and Colorado jumping on the plug-in bandwagon as of the beginning of May this year according to the legislation tracker Plug In USA. Lawmakers in about 30 other states are also considering similar legislation.

At the end of May, the New York State legislature passed a plug-in solar bill that is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. The going has not been particularly easy elsewhere, though. A bill in Illinois stalled out earlier this year, for example. However, statehouse observers expect lawmakers to take another crack at it this fall.

In June the news organization Capitol News Illinois cited a representative from the organization Vote Solar, Kavi Chintam, who surmised that “lawmakers really see this as an opportunity to give folks a way to have more control over their power bills.”

I think also, frankly, people just think this is cool,” Chintam added.

California is also among the other states pushing forward, but it looks like New Jersey may beat them to the punch. Last month the state legislature passed the Garden State Plug-In Solar Act (S2368/A4836), needing only the signature of solar-friendly Governor Mikie Sherrill to pass into law.

“The technology is widely popular. An April FDU poll found nearly 80 percent of New Jerseyans support plug-in solar,” enthused the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club in a celebratory press statement on July 1.

S2368/A4836 illustrates how targeted legislation can push the balcony movement forward. As with other legislation, the New Jersey bill expends many words to describe the application of electrical safety codes and standards covering portable, plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 watts. It further stipulates that the devices are primarily intended to offset part of a ratepayer’s electricity consumption. Accordingly, devices covered under the legislation cannot send electricity back to the distribution grid in case of a power outage.

The no-distribution grid angle also enables the new legislation to eliminate any interconnection agreements previously required by utilities or other entities, as long as the maximum output of the device does not top 1,200 watts. Utilities also cannot impose approval requirements, charge any fees, or install any additional controls on balcony solar.

Solar Freedom For Renters

The new legislation is particularly impactful for rental households. It prohibits landlords from preventing their tenants from installing plug-in solar panels on their leased property, including balconies and patios, though the bill does provide for “reasonable restrictions” regarding size and placement.

Similarly, homeowner associations, condo boards, coop boards and other housing entities cannot prevent ratepayers from partaking in the balcony solar trend, again with some restrictions allowed. Covering additional bases, the bill also prevents local governments from imposing blanket restrictions on balcony solar. “No municipality shall require a permit, application, fee, license, or other approval for the placement or use of a portable solar generation device,” the bill adds for good measure.

In other recent balcony solar news, on July 3 the Concord Monitor reported that New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has signed the state’s new balcony solar legislation into law. “They are especially useful for renters, who can’t install solar panels on their building like a homeowner can,” noted reporter David Brooks.

“Proponents have long said that a big benefit of plug-in solar is that it makes the idea of solar panels seem more ordinary. If you see panels draped over balconies as you walk downtown, you’re more likely to consider installing solar panels on your house or support a solar farm being built nearby,” Brooks added, which is a good point.

Plenty More Balcony Solar To Come

Before you run out and get yourself some balcony solar, a caveat is in order. The necessary safety standards for a do-it-yourself system are still forthcoming, which generally means that a licensed electrician is required for the time being. Regardless, seeking the advice of a professional is probably a good idea for older properties where electrical systems have not been upgraded in many years.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the US certification firm UL solutions, which has introduced a regimen that will enable the vision of a truly plug-and-play system to become a reality. In January, the company announced the launch of a dedicated line for balcony solar.

“The new program is an evaluation based on UL 3700, the Outline of Investigation for Interactive Plug-In Photovoltaic Equipment and Systems. It defines construction, performance and labeling criteria tailored to plug-in solar systems, also referred to as balcony solar, offering manufacturers a reliable foundation for designing products that consistently meet safety and performance requirements,” UL explained.

As for the state of Trump’s brain, any one of his multiple daily social media posts confirms, over and over again, that the ship has sailed. If you have any thoughts about that, drop a note in the discussion thread.

Photo: The balcony solar movement is spreading across the US, offering ratepayers relief from high electricity costs with a more affordable, accessible way to generate their own solar power at home (cropped, courtesy of BrightSaver).