It is time for our Rhode Island Legislature to pass legislation allowing for plug-in solar, sometimes called balcony solar. These are widely adopted in Europe.

Utah has become the first state to approve plug-in solar, and 21 other states are considering similar legislation. R.I. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has indicated that there will be hearings on plug-in solar this spring. Anyone interested will be able to testify.

Plug-in solar allows for simple homeowner installation of a small solar array utilizing a dedicated 20-amp, 110-volt electrical outlet. Most plug-in solar arrays have an output of about 800 watts. In a sunny location in Providence, a system this size could produce 1000 kWh of electricity per year.

These systems are expandable, so it allows the consumer to increase their energy production over time. Allowing plug-in solar will move Rhode Island closer to its goals in our Act on Climate legislation.

Personally, after contacting solar installers, our household decided to self-install a small ground-mounted solar array purchased from Solarpod, a Minnesota-based company. It is a kit with four PV panels that have an AC output of 1,300 watts. It has been operating for three years and produces 1.8 kWh per year. We are energy conscious so this supplies us with about half of our electric needs for the year. It was satisfying to install ourselves. It is not necessarily plug-in solar but is an example of the benefits of small solar.

Jim Normann is a resident of Wakefield, R.I.