PORTABLE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION DEVICES

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not listed in the provided official text or metadata; only that the bill passed the legislature.

Rules for Portable Solar Devices in Alaska

This law exempts small, portable solar devices from certain utility rules and fees if they meet specific safety standards.

What This Bill Does

• Exempts qualifying portable solar devices from utility interconnection and net metering program requirements.
• Limits device power output to a maximum of 1,200 watts.
• Requires devices to meet National Electrical Code standards and be certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent lab.
• Stops electric utilities from requiring approval before installation for qualifying devices.
• Prohibits electric utilities from charging fees related to these devices.
• Prevents electric utilities from requiring customers to install extra equipment beyond what is in the device.
• Removes liability for electric utilities if a certified portable solar device causes damage or injury.

Who It Names or Affects

• Alaska residents who use small, moveable solar power systems that meet specific requirements.
• Electric utility companies serving customers with these devices in Alaska.

Terms To Know

Portable solar generation device

A moveable solar power system designed to plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and help reduce electricity use from the utility grid.

Net metering program requirements

Rules that usually apply when customers generate their own electricity, which this law exempts for qualifying portable devices.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exemption only applies if the device plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet.
• Devices must be certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• The official text provided does not state when this law officially takes effect.

Official Summary Text

PORTABLE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION DEVICES
An Act relating to the regulation of residential solar energy generation and portable solar generation devices.

Current Bill Text

HB0257a -1- HB 257
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS1203\A

HOUSE BILL NO. 257

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY REPRESENTATIVES EISCHEID, Costello

Introduced: 1/20/26
Referred: House Special Committee on Energy, Community and Regional Affairs

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the regulation of residential solar energy generation and portable 1
solar generation devices." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 42.05 is amended by adding a new section to read: 4
Sec. 42.05.323. Portable solar generation devices. (a) A portable solar 5
generation device is exempt from utility interconnection and net metering program 6
requirements adopted by the commission if the device 7
(1) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; 8
(2) meets the standards of the most recent version of the National 9
Electrical Code; and 10
(3) is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent 11
nationally recognized testing laboratory. 12
(b) An electric utility may not require a customer using a portable solar 13
generation device that meets the requirements of (a) of this section to 14
34-LS1203\A
HB 257 -2- HB0257a
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

(1) obtain the electric utility's approval before installing or using the 1
device; 2
(2) pay a fee or charge related to the device; or 3
(3) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated 4
into the device. 5
(c) An electric utility is not liable for any damage or injury caused by a 6
portable solar generation device that meets the requirements in (a) of this section. 7
(d) In this section, "portable solar generation device" means a moveable 8
photovoltaic generation device that is designed to be 9
(1) connected to a building's electrical system through a standard 120-10
volt alternating current outlet; and 11
(2) used primarily to offset part of an electric utility customer's 12
electricity consumption. 13