Plug-In Photovoltaics (PIPV) Commonly Referred to as: Plug-In Photovoltaics (PIPV) or Balcony Solar

Executive Summary

Portable plug-in photovoltaic systems, commonly referred to as “balcony solar”, have become increasingly popular in Europe and are beginning to enter the U.S. market. These systems typically consist of one or more solar panels connected to a microinverter that plugs into a standard 120-volt household receptacle.

During the 2026 Session of the Georgia General Assembly, House Bill 1304 proposed exempting certain plug-in solar systems from utility interconnection requirements and prohibiting electric providers from requiring prior approval, interconnection agreements, special meters, or additional fees.

The purpose of this paper is not to advocate for or against balcony solar technology. Rather, it explains the technical issues considered by the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee and why nationally recognized safety certification of the entire system was a central issue during committee deliberations.

Introduction

Solar energy has become an increasingly important component of America’s electric generation portfolio. Improvements in photovoltaic technology have reduced costs while expanding opportunities for residential consumers.

One emerging technology is the “plug-in” or “balcony solar” system. Unlike conventional rooftop solar installations, these systems are marketed as consumer-installed products that plug directly into an existing household electrical outlet.

The simplicity of installation has generated considerable public interest. It has also raised legitimate questions regarding electrical safety, utility interconnection, and protection of utility personnel working on energized distribution systems.

This is How Plug-In Balcony Solar Works

A balcony solar system is a grid-following photovoltaic system.

Solar panels generate direct current (DC), which is converted by a microinverter into 120-volt alternating current (AC). The inverter continuously synchronizes its output with the voltage and frequency supplied by the electric utility.

Electricity produced by solar panels is consumed first by appliances within the home. When solar production exceeds the home’s instantaneous demand, excess electricity flows back toward the utility distribution system through the home’s electrical service.

Unlike battery backup systems, these devices depend upon the electric grid for normal operation.

Anti-Islanding Protection

One of the most important safety features of any grid-connected solar inverter is anti-islanding protection. If utility power is interrupted, the inverter must immediately detect the loss of utility voltage and automatically cease exporting electricity.

This requirement exists for one overriding reason:

To help protect utility line workers and emergency personnel from unexpected surge of voltage back into the provider’s electric grid and onto electrical conductors they reasonably believe have been de-energized.

National standards require certified grid-interactive inverters to disconnect automatically following loss of utility power. Modern certified inverters typically cease exporting power in a fraction of a second.

Why Utility Worker Safety Matters

Electric utility line workers perform one of the nation’s most hazardous occupations. Utilities employ extensive safety procedures, including lockout/tagout practices, voltage testing, grounding, and protective equipment. However, even with those procedures, it is critically important that customer owned generation complies with nationally recognized safety standards and that it disconnects automatically during outages.

A failure of anti-islanding protection could permit electricity to continue flowing from customer-owned generation onto the distribution system after utility power has been interrupted. Although trained line workers never rely solely on a customer’s equipment for their protection, public policy should minimize avoidable risks by ensuring that grid-connected generating equipment has been independently tested and certified to perform its required protective functions.

For that reason, independent certification of complete plug-in solar systems is more than a regulatory issue, it is a public safety issue affecting utility employees, emergency responders, electricians, homeowners, and the general public.

Existing Georgia Law

Georgia law already recognizes the importance of nationally accepted electrical safety standards.

O.C.G.A. § 46-3-64 authorizes electric service providers to require customer-owned generating equipment to satisfy applicable safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements established through nationally recognized standards, including:

· National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)

· National Electrical Safety Code (IEEE C2)

· IEEE Standard 1547

· Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

These requirements exist to promote safe operation of customer-owned generation connected to the electric grid.

Understanding UL 1741 and UL 3700

One of the central issues before the committee involved the distinction between component certification and system certification.

UL 1741

UL 1741 has long been the recognized North American safety standard for grid-connected inverters.

It evaluates:

· Electrical safety

· Anti-islanding protection

· Grid synchronization

· Compliance with IEEE 1547

A microinverter listed to UL 1741 demonstrates that the inverter itself has successfully passed these tests.

UL 3700

Plug-in balcony solar systems present additional considerations beyond the inverter itself.

Recognizing these differences, UL Solutions introduced UL 3700 in January 2026 as the first certification standard developed specifically for complete plug-in photovoltaic systems.

Unlike UL 1741, UL 3700 evaluates the complete consumer product, including:

· photovoltaic modules,

· factory wiring,

· plugs and receptacles,

· integrated electronics,

· installation instructions,

· consumer use,

· overall system performance.

Stated plainly:

A UL-listed microinverter does not automatically make an assembled balcony solar kit a UL-listed system. Certification applies to the complete product that has been tested and approved.

HB1304

House Bill 1304 proposed creating an exemption for portable plug-in photovoltaic systems meeting specified criteria while prohibiting electric utilities from requiring prior approval, interconnection agreements, special meters, or additional fees.

During committee consideration, one of the principal questions was whether complete consumer-installed balcony solar systems had received nationally recognized certification as integrated products.

At the time of the hearing in the Georgia House of Representatives on HB 1304 by the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications committee, there was no testimony provided to support that plug-in balcony solar units had been UL tested and approved.

Committee Considerations

The committee did not question the value of solar energy. Nor did the committee dispute that properly certified grid-connected microinverters have operated safely for many years. Instead, the committee considered whether Georgia law should exempt an entirely new category of consumer-installed electrical equipment from existing interconnection requirements before nationally recognized certification of complete systems had become available.

The committee also heard testimony from Georgia Power, Georgia EMC, and municipal electric providers in opposition to the bill and expressing valid concerns regarding worker safety and utility system protection.

Findings

The committee’s review led to several observations:

1.   Grid-connected photovoltaic systems can operate safely when designed, tested, certified, and installed in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

2.   UL 1741 provides long-established certification for grid-interactive inverters.

3.   Complete consumer plug-in photovoltaic systems present issues beyond the inverter alone.

4.   Product certification applies to the complete assembled product—not merely to one certified component.

5.   Independent certification helps ensure protection of utility personnel, emergency responders, homeowners, and the electric distribution system.

6.   Legislatures should rely upon demonstrated safety standards before exempting new electrical technologies from existing regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Balcony solar technology represents an innovative approach to distributed energy generation and may become an increasingly common option for residential consumers.

As technology matures and nationally recognized standards continue to evolve, legislatures may appropriately revisit existing statutes governing plug-in photovoltaic systems.

The question before the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee was not whether solar energy is beneficial. Rather, it was whether Georgia should remove existing interconnection safeguards before complete consumer plug-in photovoltaic systems had demonstrated compliance with nationally recognized safety standards specifically developed for that product category.

The committee concluded that additional evidence of complete-system certification was appropriate before changing Georgia law.

References

1.   O.C.G.A. § 46-3-64.

2.   National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

3.   National Electrical Safety Code (IEEE C2).

4.   IEEE Std. 1547-2018, Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces.

5.   UL 1741, Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for use with Distributed Energy Resources.

6.   UL 3700, Photovoltaic Plug-in Equipment.

7.   Georgia House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee hearing on House Bill 1304 (2026).

8.   Testimony of Georgia Power, Georgia EMC, and municipal electric utility representatives before the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee (2026).