Balcony solar bill advances, but PSEG says they are not yet authorized on Long Island
A Bright Saver plug-in solar panel hangs at home in Baltimore, Md. last year. A proposed law called the SUNNY Act in the State Legislature would pave the way for such systems, which have been widely welcomed in Europe and some U.S. states. Credit: AP/KT Kanazawich
Green energy advocates are working overtime to advance a do-it-yourself solar power system that allows consumers to plug the equipment directly into their home electric systems, though for now PSEG Long Island says such systems are "not authorized."
Plug-in systems, which are less expensive than other larger systems, may meet some resistance from the power utility and solar installers who expressed concerns about safety.
“PSEG Long Island is not familiar with this technology,” spokeswoman Elizabeth Flagler said in a statement to Newsday. “We have not received any applications to these specifications.”
A proposed law called the SUNNY Act making its way through the State Legislature, where it received unanimous passage in the Senate last month, would pave the way for “balcony solar” systems that have been widely welcomed in Europe and some U.S. states. It is now being reviewed by an Assembly committee.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
A proposed state law called the SUNNY Act would pave the way for balcony solar systems that have been widely welcomed in Europe and some U.S. states. The Senate passed it unanimously; it is now being reviewed by an Assembly committee.
Advocates say the systems could reduce customer bills and emissions from power plants.
Concerns have been raised about safety, however. Too much power coming into a home via the panels could heat wires, and there’s a threat of a shock if users touch the prongs on a system that’s producing power but not plugged in.
Systems under 1,200 watts would be allowable under the bill, which is being pushed by groups such as the Green Co-op Council that see it as a way to reduce customer bills and emissions from power plants. It would require that the systems get special certification from Underwriters Laboratory or a similar agency before they could be sold here.
As for going rogue and installing one on your own balcony or back deck, Flagler indicated it would not be authorized, as least prior to the law being passed. “At this time, all customers must go through our SGIP (small-generation interconnection procedures) application process to safely integrate solar into the electric system.”
The balcony solar systems are in wide use in Germany, according to green energy website Canary Media, and safe-use standards for the United States are already in process. The systems can cost hundreds of dollars to several thousands of dollars and produce enough energy to power a few home appliances when the sun is shining. They plug into standard wall outlets, but wouldn’t work during a power outage.
They're available now on sites such as Amazon, where an 800-watt system that "simply plug[s] into a wall" is available from supplier Plugged Solar at $1,395.
Deborah Birnbaum of Mastic Beach said she was recently sent one panel rated at 180 watts as part of a program through a balcony solar advocacy group to help customers lower their energy bills. She's disabled and has a PSEG bill that's risen to just under $100 from just over $60 a year ago. She said she wasn't aware of any PSEG requirements to apply to connect the system.
"I'm a person who wants to lower their bill and help the environment," she said. "I've had experiences with solar companies" to install panels on her roof. "It's very expensive, and you end up leasing a system you never own."
The SUNNY Act would exempt such “portable solar generation devices” under 1,200 watts from a utility’s interconnection or special metering requirements, and require that the state energy conservation code “allow for portable solar generation devices to be connected to a building's wiring through an electrical outlet.”
"Long Island in particular is a real prime opportunity," said Justin Flagg, a spokesman for bill sponsor Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan). "A lot of people have back decks or porches or front yard space where you can easily set up panels and shave 10-20% off your electric bill."
Language in the bill said it aims to "remove regulatory barriers preventing the use of small plug-in solar devices in residential and commercial buildings, creating a new category for portable plug-in solar generation devices for outside use."
It also would allow renters, for instance, who cannot get the benefit of solar on their buildings, to benefit from a portable system.
In addition to limiting power output to no more than 1,200 watts back to the grid, the bill would require the devices to be certified by Underwriters Laboratories "or an equivalent testing lab, and that they be installed and operated to the specifications of the state Fire Prevention and Building Code."
The bill would exempt eligible systems from utility interconnection, net metering and other requirements, and provide utilities protection from liability should the devices cause damage. Consumers installing the devices would still have to notify their utility through a "simple online form" and require the state Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to update its code for portable solar within a year. Devices that produce 391 watts or less wouldn't require any changes to a building's wiring, the bill states.
Portable solar "has huge implications for energy independence," said Cora Stryker, co-founder of Bright Saver, a California-based nonprofit that promotes and installs the systems. "We see this as something that touches a lot of the social problems we face. New York had very aggressive climate goals that have not yet been met, and we think this can be a huge step toward making those."
LIPA, which owns the electric grid operated by its contractor, PSEG, in a statement said it is “monitoring” the legislation, but “as with any new technology that plugs into a home’s electrical system, safety is an important consideration.”
Jonathan Cohen, policy director for the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, a business group, said while the organization hasn’t taken an official position on balcony solar, he acknowledged, “There’s probably a place for this in the future.”
The main concern, he said, is safety. Too much power coming into a home via the panels could heat wires, and there’s a threat of a shock if users touch the prongs on a system that’s producing power but not plugged in.
“Before plug-in solar can be a real option there has to be a UL standard,” Cohen said, referring to Underwriters Laboratory certification. Cohen said the SUNNY Act “stipulates those things must happen. That would start the process.”
Potential issues with the systems may go beyond the concern over safety. Having potentially hundreds of thousands of plug-in solar systems on the grid might present grid management and revenue challenges. If so, it’s not a problem for Con Edison, the state’s largest investor-owned utility, which issued a statement in support of the legislation.
Large home solar installations can cost $25,000 or more and require multiple steps and inspections to comply with local building, electrical and fire safety codes. Most require financing and the process can take months of planning, applications and roof work. Balcony solar can be installed in half an hour.
“I think it is coming and the regulators will figure out how to do it right,” Cohen said. Until then, he added, “I’m not comfortable with everyday folks plugging in panels.”
Stryker sees it differently.
"We expect to be in multiple states by this time next year," she said, including New York where energy bills are among the highest. "We’re a nonprofit and we plan to sell the systems well below market rate to get them into the hands of the people who need to reduce their energy bills the most."
Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.
Out East show: Buffalo Ranch, Schmitt's Family Farm and roadside attractions NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East" to visit a few interesting spots.
Out East show: Buffalo Ranch, Schmitt's Family Farm and roadside attractions NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East" to visit a few interesting spots.
