A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Plug-In Solar Power Systems Law

This law defines and regulates small, portable solar panels that can be plugged into buildings to generate electricity without needing special approval from the utility company.

What This Bill Does

• Defines a plug-in solar power system as a moveable device with a maximum output of 1,200 watts that connects to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet and is intended primarily to offset part of the electricity consumption in the building.
• Exempts these systems from Indiana’s rules about distributed generation and customer-generator interconnection standards.
• Requires the system to have a safety feature that stops it from powering the building during an outage.
• Prohibits electricity suppliers from requiring customers to get approval or pay fees for using plug-in solar power systems.
• Protects electricity suppliers from liability related to customers' use of these systems.

Who It Names or Affects

• Electricity suppliers
• Customers who install and use plug-in solar power systems

Terms To Know

Plug-In Solar Power System

A portable device that uses sunlight to generate electricity, which can be plugged into a building's electrical system.

Distributed Generation

The production of power from many small sources rather than large centralized facilities.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify the exact safety feature requirements for plug-in solar power systems.
• Does not provide details on how electricity suppliers will enforce or monitor compliance with this law.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.
Plug-in solar power systems.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.

Plug-in solar power systems.

Defines a "plug-in solar power system" as a moveable photovoltaic generation device that: (1) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; (2) is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet; and (3) is intended primarily to offset part of the electricity consumption in the building in which it is used. Provides that electricity generated by a plug-in solar power system is not subject to the Indiana statute concerning distributed generation. Provides that a plug-in solar power system is exempt from the Indiana utility regulatory commission's rules concerning customer-generator interconnection standards. Requires a plug-in solar power system to include a functionality or feature that: (1) is activated during a loss of electrical power to the building in which the plug-in solar power system is used; and (2) prevents the plug-in solar power system from energizing the building's electrical system during the electrical outage. Prohibits an electricity supplier from requiring a customer to do any of the following with respect to the installation or use of a plug-in solar power system that meets certain requirements: (1) Obtain the electricity supplier's approval for the installation or use. (2) Pay any fee or charge related to the installation or use. (3) Install any additional controls or equipment in connection with the installation or use. Provides that an electricity supplier is not liable for any injury or damages caused by a customer's installation or use of a plug-in solar power system.