Behind the Bill — Plug-In Solar Legislative Interview Series | PlugInSolarUS

Behind the Bill

How are U.S. states shaping plug-in solar policy? This interview series follows the lawmakers, advocates, and coalition builders behind each bill, including the policy choices, safety decisions, and consumer-access goals that shaped it.

9 articles with companion podcast episodes where available.

The Series

  1. Behind the Bill: How Virginia Turned a Constituent Idea Into a Plug-In Solar Law

    Del. Paul Krizek and Virginia climate advocate Jamie Bacon show how one constituent email about Utah’s balcony-solar law helped spark a coalition, companion bills, and a new pathway for renters and homeowners. (22 min read)

    Companion podcast: Behind the Bill — How Virginia Turned a Constituent Idea Into a Plug-In Solar Law (Season 1, Episode 9).

  2. Behind the Bill: How Maryland Put Plug-In Solar Inside a Utility Relief and Climate Justice Agenda

    Del. Lorig Charkoudian and CCAN AF Maryland Director Brittany Baker explain how Maryland combined consumer access, energy affordability, climate justice, and practical implementation. (28 min read)

  3. Behind the Bill: How New York Is Trying to Bring Plug-In Solar to the Country’s Largest Urban Market

    Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Sen. Liz Krueger’s policy advisor Justin Flagg explain why New York’s SUNNY Act targets interconnection as the first barrier to unlocking plug-in solar for millions of urban renters and homeowners. (22 min read)

  4. Behind the Bill: How Vermont Made Plug-In Solar Simple for Consumers

    Sen. Anne Watson and VPIRG’s Ben Edgerly Walsh explain why Vermont removed utility notification, anchored safety in national standards, and created a future pathway for renters and everyday consumers. (20 min read)

  5. Behind the Bill: How Maine Built a Plug-In Solar Law — and Now Has to Make It Work

    Rep. Gary Friedmann, Amy Eshoo, and Beth Woolfolk explain how LD 1730 grew from Germany, Utah, and grassroots climate organizing — and why the next phase is all about safety, electricians, bulk purchasing, batteries, and consumer education. (20 min read)

  6. Behind the Bill: How Colorado Built One of America’s Most Advanced Plug-In Solar Laws

    Rep. Lesley Smith, Sen. Cathy Kipp, and Sen. Matt Ball’s office explain how Germany, Utah, renters, wildfire resilience, meter collars, and months of stakeholder work shaped HB26-1007. (22 min read)

  7. Behind the Bill: How Connecticut Brought Plug-In Solar Into a Broader Renewable-Energy Package

    Rep. Jonathan Steinberg and Rep. Steve Winter explain why Connecticut treated plug-in solar as a safety-first affordability and clean-energy access tool. (18 min read)

  8. Behind the Bill: How New Hampshire Built a Safety-First Pathway for Plug-In Solar

    Sen. David Watters and Sam Evans-Brown explain how New Hampshire used coalition-building, code-board flexibility, and consumer education to move plug-in solar forward. (16 min read)

  9. Behind the Bill: How Utah Helped Launch America’s Plug-In Solar Movement

    Rep. Raymond Ward explains how one narrow state-law fix became the first U.S. pathway for small plug-in solar — and why safety standards remain the key to mainstream adoption. (14 min read)

Browse all podcast episodes or track plug-in solar legislation by state.