Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
By State Reps. Chris Pielli and Elizabeth Fiedler Imagine picking up a DIY solar kit on your way home from work, plugging it in to your regular household outlet, and instantly capturing energy from the sun – all without having to worry about interconnection to the grid and extra fees. At a time when Pennsylvania families are struggling to keep up with rising electricity bills, expanding this new tool, known as plug-in solar, is a powerful way to fight back. This isn’t about politics: it’s about putting money back in family budgets and it’s about regular people taking control of their energy future in whatever space they have. Rooftop solar is an excellent investment for those who can access it, lowering or eliminating decades worth of energy bills while averting the need for fuel sources that harm our health and environment. But unfortunately most Pennsylvanians are hemmed in by barriers to access, including upfront costs, permitting delays, and roofs that aren’t well-suited for solar – not to mention the fact that more than 30% of Pennsylvania households rent rather than own. Against this backdrop, electricity bills keep climbing, and those who don’t generate energy at home are stuck on the receiving end of volatile and escalating prices. Pennsylvania has long been an energy-producing state, but that’s not protecting us from dramatic energy price increases, which are being driven primarily by a rise in energy demand from data centers and a lack of new energy supply that can quickly meet that demand. Plug-in solar offers households a hedge against rising electricity rates and energy market disruptions. The economic case for plug-in solar extends far beyond individual savings. When Pennsylvania families spend less on electricity, they have more to spend at local businesses. When we generate more of our own power, we send fewer dollars to out-of-state companies and keep that economic activity here at home. Generating energy closer to home will also lower overall energy costs for those who don’t go solar themselves. Energy costs are highest when we near our energy grid’s maximum capacity, such as on summer afternoons when everyone’s air conditioning is running. When residents can generate their own power, the strain on the grid is eased, and costs for all ratepayers are reduced. While legislation is needed to fully clear the way for plug-in solar in Pennsylvania, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel: this idea and technology is commonplace in other countries. Clear regulations, high safety standards, and escalating energy bills have driven adoption abroad, like in Germany, which boasts over half a million plug-in solar systems. Utah passed bipartisan legislation earlier this year to unlock the same trajectory. Their law was incredibly simple: it exempted small solar energy systems from expensive utility processes and allowed small amounts of power to flow back to the grid at no cost to utilities or consumers. The bill in Pennsylvania will be similarly straightforward and won’t require any state funds. There is an excellent safety track record among the millions of users across these case studies, and our legislation follows suit, ensuring plug-in solar systems automatically shut off during outrages and meet rigorous national safety certification standards. We’re not experimenting with untested technology; we’re adopting proven solutions. This legislation isn’t about choosing sides in energy debates – it’s about expanding choices for Pennsylvania families. Plug-in solar makes clean energy accessible, immediate, and personally empowering. Whether you’re a conservative who wants energy independence, a progressive who cares about clean energy, or a pragmatist who simply wants lower electricity bills, plug-in solar advances those goals. We urge our fellow legislators to back this common-sense solution that puts families first. More importantly, we encourage every Pennsylvania family facing rising energy costs to make sure their elected officials understand this is a priority. Pennsylvania has always been a state of innovators and practical problem-solvers. Let’s prove it once again by leading the nation in energy accessibility and affordability. State Rep. Christopher Pielli (D) represents the 156th legislative district.
