Oops They Did It Again – A Third State Allows Plug-And-Play Solar

InnovationSustainabilityOops They Did It Again – A Third State Allows Plug-And-Play SolarByJoshua Pearce,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Joshua Pearce is a professor at Western University covering economics and sustainabilityFollow AuthorApr 26, 2026, 08:03pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Plugging in solar is easy if you are allowed to do it.gettyYou may have heard that solar energy is now the cheapest in history and thus energy industry types are lining up to say you should really consider investing in solar today. But, what if you don’t have a lot of money sitting in the bank and you still want to get in on the solar gold rush? . “Plug-in solar” (also called balcony solar) makes solar available to everyone as long as they have enough money for a single panel. It also opens up the solar market to others left out of the conventional “cover your whole roof with solar panels” fun. This includes renters, apartment dwellers or those with unsuitable roofs (e.g., shaded). Plug-and-play solar systems are behind-the-meter devices that households can mount on a balcony or other structure and literally plug into an electrical outlet. They don’t need to waste time or money complying with utility interconnection or permitting requirements. Plug-and-play systems are small - only a panel or two - typically 200 to 1200 Watts and used to reduce electricity bills. This is possible because solar electricity costs less than grid electricity. A study estimated the potential savings for consumers approximately $13 billion a year in utility costs. That is IF they were allowed to use plug-and-play solar. States That Allow Plug-and-Play SolarLast year, Utah became the first state to remove utility approvals for balcony solar (HB 340), setting into motion proposals in half of the U.S. Welcome to Utah gettyIn early April, Maine joined Utah with legisla...