HARRISBURG, PA — A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at removing regulatory and financial barriers that prevent residents from using plug-in solar technology to reduce electricity costs.
House Bill 1971, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, with co-prime sponsors state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, and Mark Gillen, R-Berks, seeks to make plug-in solar more accessible to renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners across the Commonwealth.
The measure would eliminate the current requirement for users to obtain an interconnection agreement with their electric utility and prohibit electric distribution companies from charging additional fees on plug-in solar systems that carry national safety certifications. However, systems operating under this provision would not qualify for Pennsylvania’s net metering program, which compensates customers for excess power returned to the grid.
Pielli said the legislation is designed to help consumers take control of rising energy costs while promoting innovation in clean power. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about putting money back in family budgets and giving people control over their energy in whatever space they have,” he stated.
Fiedler emphasized that the proposal is about consumer freedom and energy independence. “Pennsylvanians should have the freedom to choose how they power their homes,” she said, noting that plug-in solar offers a practical and affordable way for more residents to participate in the state’s renewable energy transition.
Supporters of the bill, including solar advocates from organizations such as Bright Saver and Vote Solar, praised the effort as a breakthrough for consumer-driven energy reform. They argue the measure could open the market to the estimated 70 percent of Americans who lack access to rooftop solar, allowing them to generate clean electricity directly from portable or balcony-mounted systems.
If enacted, House Bill 1971 could mark a significant step in expanding Pennsylvania’s renewable energy landscape by enabling more residents to adopt small-scale solar technology without the high upfront costs or lengthy approval processes often associated with traditional installations.
The bill awaits consideration in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
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