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Ratepayers are scrambling to avoid high electricity bills, and lawmakers in some US states are responding with new legislation to allow balcony solar panels. These plug-in panels make solar power accessible to households that don’t have the opportunity, or the inclination, to install their own rooftop solar panels. But, why leave it up to the states? It’s only a matter of time before the federal government steps in to help support the spread of this new money-saving technology, which will benefit millions of Americans…hold please…
Balcony Solar Saves Billions
Unlike solar-powered generators and other portable solar devices, balcony solar panels plug into a simple household outlet and feed electricity into household wiring, reducing the amount of electricity sucked from the grid. Ukraine is credited with popularizing the devices soon after Russia launched its unprovoked war against the country in 2022 and began destroying its energy infrastructure. The movement soon took off in Germany with strong support from the nation’s policy makers (see lots more plug-in solar background here).
The “balcony” in balcony solar refers to the ripe opportunity for hanging plug-in solar panels from apartment balconies, but a balcony is not required. The panels can be hung or propped up anywhere around a property where a household outlet is available.
The movement has been achingly slow to develop in the US. Utilities can take some of the blame because they generally treat a simple plug-and-play solar panel like a full blown rooftop solar installation, requiring costly connection agreements and fees. Landlords and homeowner associations can also shoulder responsibility for limiting use of the devices or prohibiting them altogether. Additionally, safety considerations and the age of the US housing stock come into play.
Still, the case for balcony solar is a compelling one. Back in 2017, for example, researchers at Michigan Technological University estimated the US demand for “plug and play PV” at 57 gigawatts, potentially saving ratepayers $13 billion per year while creating a substantial new industry market of $14.3 billion – $71.7 billion.
First Utah, Then Virginia, Now Maine
The cost of solar panels has dropped substantially since 2017 while electricity rates have gone up, so it’s no surprise to see legislators in at least two dozen states considering bills to cut down the hurdles to balcony solar, addressing safety concerns alongside utility red tape and other obstacles.
Utah was first out of the starting gate in March of 2025. Last month, Virginia also stepped up to the plate, and now Maine has chimed in. On April 2 the state legislature approved LD 1730, a bill that puts safety front and center.
“Given the varied electrical wiring in homes across Maine, LD 1730 emphasizes safety for consumers and line workers by requiring systems be installed by a licensed electrician,” observes the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
That’s not exactly the full plug-and-play vision, but the cost of hiring an electrician could be offset, and then some, within a year. “For the average household in Maine, a 1,200-Watt plug-in solar system could cut electricity bills by nearly 20% or $388 a year, according to the Office of the Public Advocate,” NRCM notes.
NRCM further observes that electricity rates have increased in Maine by 68% over the past five years. The upward trend predates US President Donald Trump’s rolling disaster of a war on Iran, and the war has only made things worse by ratcheting up the cost of natural gas as well as fuel oil for power plants.
“When oil and gas prices jump, like they are right now, Maine’s electricity prices follow, hitting the poorest households hardest,” NRCM emphasizes.
Balcony Solar For Everyone, No Balcony Required
There being no such thing as a free lunch, the up-front cost of a balcony solar kit can put the panels beyond the reach of those who need it most. Gosh, those Biden-era federal tax credits for household renewable energy improvements would sure come in handy right now. Meanwhile, perhaps some enterprising startup will develop a subscription or leasing service, similar to those emerging in the rooftop solar industry.
The non-profit organization Bright Saver has been advocating for balcony solar in the US, and the results from Utah, Virginia, and Maine show that their efforts have been gaining traction. The organization has also identified a sort of back door for balcony solar through existing rooftop solar arrays that are already part of a net metering program.
The organization’s Net Metering Expansion Kits are already available in California, where state regulations allow rooftop solar owners to expand an existing array by up to 1 kilowatt. The panels can be placed anywhere sunlight is optimal, if not on the roof then on the side of a house, or in the yard.
Bright Saver’s “NEM Go” kit includes four 250-watt solar panels. Kits are also available in 800 and 1600 watt configurations.
Coming Soon To A Supermarket Near You
If all goes according to plan, balcony solar kits could be as easy to pick up as a week’s worth of groceries. The German-based multinational supermarket chain Lidl, for example, is reportedly planning to carry plug-in solar panels at its UK stores for around £400 (about $460), following the UK government’s decision to lift regulatory hurdles.
“The government estimates that a typical UK home could save between £70 and £110 a year on their energy bills. At an upfront cost of around £400, that means the panel will pay for itself in around four years,” The Independent reported on April 2.
“The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says the kits will be available ‘within months,’ with brands like EcoFlow hoping to have stock ready in time for the summer,” The Independent added.
No word yet on whether or not the company plans to stock the shelves of its US stores with balcony solar panels, but that could happen. Lidl (not to be confused with Aldi) is relatively new to the US supermarket scene, but it has already established a foothold in solar-friendly East Coast states including New York and New Jersey as well as Virginia.
The company also has a footprint in the Carolinas, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
Image: Balcony solar kits can be placed anywhere sun is available, feeding clean electricity directly into household wiring while reducing monthly utility bills (cropped, courtesy of EcoFlow).
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