Balcony solar panels will soon become more accessible across the United States. This development follows on the heels of legislative efforts in New York and Pennsylvania to encourage their use. This movement is an important and very positive step toward greater access to renewable energy choices. It’s a huge win for equity — for the people who are unable to install traditional, residential rooftop solar. These proposed reforms would save millions of Americans, especially renters and low-income families, a lot of money.
Utah has been at the cutting edge, becoming the first state to adopt a novel law. Now, any resident can buy and install small, portable solar panels that directly plug into standard wall sockets. This forward-looking legislation is an example that has inspired other states to move in the same direction. Lawmakers in New York, led by state senator Liz Krueger, have introduced bills aimed at making balcony solar panels a viable option for those unable to invest in larger solar installations.
Krueger expressed optimism about the potential impact of her bill, stating, “Plug-in solar is a powerful tool to deliver enhanced energy independence and affordability to millions of New Yorkers who are currently shut out of the solar economy.” She added that the initiative would serve as “a gamechanger for renters, low-income New Yorkers, and many others who can’t install rooftop solar.”
The need for plug-and-play solar like balcony solar panels is already clear overseas. In Germany, these panels are the standard, with more than a million homes using them. Generally priced around $300, they have historically been a very appealing purchase to a wide swath of homeowners. By comparison, newer models—and those with battery storage capabilities—can run well over $1,500.
Despite the worldwide movement away from fossil fuels and toward solar energy, just 7% of US homes are equipped with rooftop solar systems. By comparison, more than one in three households in Australia have adopted this transition. Restrictive state regulations have severely restricted balcony solar technology from making a larger impact across the United States. As a result, adoption of these technologies has been very slow nationwide.
Kevin Chou, the executive director of Bright Saver, explained the recent upswing of interest around these systems. For one thing, he said, “All of a sudden, everybody is interested in this. For Delaware Senator Trey Paradee, that’s just the beginning – he expects that at least nine other state legislatures will pass similar bills by 2026. In states where electricity is expensive, market forces will push this trend even further, added Chou. There’s real momentum behind this now,” he said, highlighting the opportunity for greater consumer choice for renewable energy.
New York and Pennsylvania have been at the forefront, but they are not alone. Vermont, Maryland, and New Hampshire are similarly advancing legislation to encourage balcony solar panels. In addition to Michigan, Chou said there are five other states that could be part of this movement in the coming months.
Utah Republican State Legislator Raymond Ward saw the writing on the wall. He was instrumental in getting the very first legislation passed. He noted that existing laws were overly restrictive: “The state law said that if you put any power back on the grid, even one electron, you need a contract with the utility, which is just crazy.” This understanding inspired him to advocate for a simple amendment to state law. In the end, Utah residents reaped the benefits of this technology.
Not only are balcony solar panels a convenient alternative energy source, but they are environmentally sustainable. Not surprisingly, experts estimate that better, more widespread adoption could cut down on carbon emissions by at least 5%. These are trends that states are beginning to adopt. If implemented correctly it would be a monumental step toward improving equitable access to renewable energy nationwide.