Plug-In Solar: A New Path to Solar Energy

Get ready to hear more about plug-in or balcony solar! This term refers to small portable photovoltaic (PV) devices which are designed to be plugged into a standard 110/120v wall outlet to supply power for household use. They are not readily available in this country, but as reported by environmentalist Bill McKibbon, as many as 3 million apartments in Germany are generating electricity with them. Sustainable Hanover Energy member Robin Gish-Kaiser saw balcony solar in Villais-sur-Ollon in Switzerland. Robin recalls that, “When the railings of the village’s Victoria Hotel needed to be upgraded a few years ago, they installed balcony solar panels on all of them. Now the sun’s energy is captured … which saves them money and reduces their carbon footprint.” 

Bright Saver is a non-profit that aims to “democratize” solar through the use of low-cost plug-in systems. As co-founder Cora Stryker noted, “electricity prices are soaring, yet nearly 70% of U.S. households can't install rooftop solar on-site due to high costs, rental status, or unsuitable roofs.” She is one of three panelists who will be talking about Bright Saver’s vision for expanding solar to 60 million Americans by 2035. 

Moving forward with plug-in solar in the U.S. will require updating state laws that are designed to larger, typically net-metered solar installations. Utah was the first state to accomplish this in May 2025. Their new law supports the adoption of plug-in solar by creating “a new category for small portable solar generation devices”. It was widely noted politically that the Utah law passed with unanimous bipartisan support. Similar legislation is now being written in several other states, including New Hampshire and Vermont. The New Hampshire bill, which is expected to be introduced for the 2026 session in January, is being developed by State Senator David Watters of Dover.