Pennsylvania

PA

HB 1971 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Protection Act

Pending
Current Status
Last verified: March 2026

Legislative Status

In House Consumer Affairs Committee. Bipartisan co-sponsors but no committee vote yet. Previously stalled.

Sponsored by: Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler

Legislation Progress

In Committee

30%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

35%

In committee with no vote yet. Pennsylvania has a Democratic House but Republican Senate. Bipartisan co-sponsors but previously stalled. Long session (ends Nov 30) gives time but divided government creates uncertainty.

Session Deadline

November 30, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

Committee vote uncertain. If passed in House, Senate passage is the bigger challenge. Possible but not likely in 2026.

Pennsylvania Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate16.2¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
6¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$185/yr
Last UpdatedMarch 2026
Calculate PA Savings
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Key Provisions

Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from PUC interconnection requirements. Bipartisan co-sponsors.

Effective DateNot specified in bill text
Wattage Limit1,200 watts
UL 3700Not mentioned
PermitNot addressed
Utility ApprovalWaived
UL 3700 DetailsUL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required
HOA / DeedNot addressed in the bill text.
RentersNot addressed in the bill text.
Net MeteringNot explicitly addressed.
What Makes This State Unique

One of the first plug-in solar bills introduced in the mid-Atlantic region. Follows the standard 1,200W definition used in most state bills.

Notable Gaps

Does not address HOA restrictions, renter rights, net metering, or building permits. Bill text closely mirrors the model legislation template.

What This Means for You

What You Can Do

If passed: self-install without PECO or PPL approval.

Current Limitations

Law not yet enacted. Pennsylvania utilities currently require interconnection agreements.

Official Bill Reference

In House Consumer Affairs Committee (2026)
View Full Bill Text — HB 1971

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Pennsylvania State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.64 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt20°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,054 kWh/yr
Best MonthsMay-August

The PVWatts energy estimate is based on an hourly performance simulation using a typical-year weather file that represents a multi-year historical period for Harrisburg, PA for a Fixed (open rack) photovoltaic system.

Major Utilities
PECO
~1.7 million customers
Net metering
PPL Electric Utilities
~1.5 million customers
Net metering
West Penn Power
~720,000 customers
Net metering
Duquesne Light Company
~600,000 customers
Net metering
Penelec
~600,000 customers
Net metering

Population
13,059,432
Total Households
5,274,853
Owner-Occupied
4,076,060
Renter-Occupied
1,806,161
Single-Family Homes
3,522,269
Apartment Units (5+)
615,578
Median Income
$77,971
Median Home Value
$254,500

34% of Pennsylvania households are renter-occupied — approximately 1,806,161 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Pennsylvania SREC program allows solar owners to earn and sell certificates for each MWh generated. PECO offers a $500 residential solar rebate for new installations. Pennsylvania net metering provides full retail credit for excess solar generation. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.

Pennsylvania has a fully deregulated electricity market. You may be able to get plug-in solar bundled with your electricity plan through a Retail Energy Provider (REP) — potentially at lower cost than buying hardware outright.

Learn about REP partner offers →

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Pennsylvania.

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

Canary MediaFebruary 2026