This could be the year plug-in solar goes mainstream.
More than a dozen states are considering legislation to support small solar energy systems that can plug directly into home outlets, after Utah lawmakers last year unanimously approved the first such law in the country.
Also known as balcony solar, the green tech got another boost last week with the release of its first U.S.-specific testing and certification standards — easing the way for American customers to buy and install ready-made systems. Millions of them have been installed already in Germany, where they’re especially popular among renters.
Now, as rising electricity costs pressure both policymakers and households, plug-in solar boosters think the moment is right for it to take off in the U.S. too — offering a rare bipartisan opportunity for climate advocates under President Donald Trump, who repealed subsidies for rooftop solar, heat pumps and home energy efficiency upgrades.
