New England Tackles Balcony Solar for Renters

Renters across New England may soon join their European counterparts in slashing electricity bills with solar panels that hang from balconies and plug straight into wall outlets.

Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are among more than two dozen states considering legislation this year to legalize plug-in solar systems. The small panels, already popular across Europe with over 1 million installed in Germany alone, have been largely blocked in the U.S. by electrical codes designed for one-way power flow.

"For many of my neighbors, especially renters, solar panels can feel like they're meant for someone else," said Maine state Sen. Nicole Grohoski, who's sponsoring her state's bill. "It's about giving someone in a third-floor apartment the same chance to lower their electricity bill as a homeowner with a south-facing roof."

The systems work by reversing the typical flow of electricity. Small panels equipped with inverters plug into standard outlets and feed power back into a household's electrical system, offsetting energy drawn from the grid.

Right now, most Americans need special utility agreements to use them, creating paperwork, delays and extra costs that keep major retailers like Home Depot and Costco from stocking the units. The proposed laws would remove those barriers and update electrical codes to catch up with the technology.

Utah became the first state to formally allow plug-in solar in 2025. In Europe, 25 of the EU's 27 countries already permit the technology.

The numbers look promising for households. A German study found the systems pay for themselves in as little as two and a half years, then continue saving hundreds of dollars annually on electricity. Maine's Natural Resources Council estimates a 1,200-watt unit could reduce the average Central Maine Power customer's bill by 21 percent.

The units range from $200 for a single 400-watt panel to over $2,000 for multi-panel setups. Unlike rooftop systems, they require no permanent property changes and renters can take them along when moving.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual savings, the shift could democratize access to clean energy for millions currently priced out of rooftop solar. Each small system reduces demand on fossil-fuel-dependent grids while giving apartment dwellers and renters their first real chance at producing renewable electricity at home.

Advocacy groups estimate that if just five more states approve the technology, competition could drive prices down by 80 percent as manufacturers ramp up production for the U.S. market.

Critics note the systems provide only a modest share of household electricity and current prices may still challenge low-income residents. Vermont's Public Service Department called the units "an expensive option" for struggling households.

But supporters see the beginning of a major shift. What started as a European phenomenon is finding its footing in American cities, one balcony at a time.

If the New England bills pass, millions of renters could soon harvest sunshine from their own windows.