SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Plug and Play Solar Act on Wednesday, a bill designed to empower California residents, including renters and apartment dwellers in Orange County, to install small-scale solar panels without requiring prior utility permission.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener, will permit individuals to place panels on patios or fences and connect them directly into standard wall outlets. Wiener stated the law empowers residents, including renters, "in charge of their energy bills." These systems, often referred to as "balcony solar," are authorized for a maximum output of 1,200 watts, sufficient to power a refrigerator and several small household appliances. While these panels are already popular internationally and legalized in other U.S. states, the California law specifically applies to panels sold within the U.S. that have received safety certification from recognized testing organizations, such as UL Solutions.
According to Bernadette del Chiaro, a senior vice president at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, which co-sponsored the bill, at least two companies are anticipated to receive certification by the end of the year. This would mean that certified products could begin appearing on shelves "not long after that in 2027," indicating a future availability for Orange County consumers.
The passage of the Plug and Play Solar Act was met with some opposition. Pacific Gas & Electric, for instance, had lobbied against the bill, citing concerns related to safety and the potential for non-panel users to disproportionately bear the costs of maintaining the electrical grid. Paul Doherty, a spokesperson for the utility, emphasized that as implementation proceeds, crucial details regarding strong consumer protections, appropriate safety standards, affordability, and clear operating rules must still be established to benefit all customers.
In addition to the Plug and Play Solar Act, Governor Newsom also signed other significant energy-related legislation on Wednesday. Senate Bill 905, authored by Sen. John Becker, mandates that California identify existing power lines capable of carrying increased electricity loads. It also requires an assessment of whether home batteries, smart thermostats, and other devices designed to share power or reduce consumption during grid stress could offer more cost-effective solutions than expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Becker’s Senate Bill 913 will establish a pathway for these same devices, collectively known as virtual power plants, to sell electricity directly into California’s energy market. These legislative actions occur in the context of Newsom's recent decision not to include funding in this year's budget to sustain the state's largest virtual power plant through the upcoming year.
However, not all energy-related legislation advanced. Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1813, which represented a third attempt to compel the California Public Utilities Commission to develop a more robust community solar program. This program would have allowed residents to participate in local solar arrays and receive discounted rates on their monthly electricity bills. The signing of the Plug and Play Solar Act and related bills signifies a shift in state policy, offering new avenues for individual energy generation and grid management for residents and property owners across California, including those in Orange County, in the coming years.
