Plug-in solar kits expand in US homes

Small, wall-outlet solar systems are growing in the United States as prices fall and regulations loosen.

Plug-in solar kits expand in US homes amid policy shifts

A $2,000 plug-in solar system installed on a Oakland, California, deck shows how small, portable solar can bypass rooftops while still cutting power bills. The kit includes two 400 watt panels, an inverter, a smart meter and a circuit breaker, and it can save about $35 a month by drawing less energy from the grid. For Dwyer, the appeal goes beyond price: cutting his carbon footprint mattered as much as the savings. Rooftop solar remains far pricier, with rooftop installations often costing tens of thousands of dollars plus roof work.

Policy and regulation now shape how quickly these kits spread. Some utilities treat plug-in solar like rooftop systems for interconnection, while others have clearer paths through laws that exempt certain small systems from complex interconnection rules. Utah recently passed a law that streamlines approval and requires safety certifications, a model other states are watching. Bright Saver, a California nonprofit that promotes plug-in solar, reports rising demand and has seen a smaller model sell out in days. Experts caution that consumer savings depend on local utility policies and the true cost of energy over time, making a careful cost-benefit calculation essential.

The rise of plug-in solar positions a new chapter in household energy, one where cost and convenience meet a patchwork of rules. Regulators and utilities face a choice: keep the grid predictable or welcome a broader mix of energy sources. Tech companies argue the devices are ready for wider use, while regulators worry about safety, interconnection, and long-term grid effects. The Utah example shows how proactive policy can unlock demand, but it also highlights how varied state rules can be, creating a mosaic rather than a nationwide standard.

Highlights

Technology is moving faster than some rules, and that mismatch will test how quickly homes go solar.