CT OKed a device that shaves dollars off electric bills but confusion remains
Earlier this year, Connecticut joined a growing list of states easing restrictions on small, portable solar panels that can be plugged into a wall outlet to offset some residential electrical usage — and shave dollars off monthly bills. The new law, passed as part of H.B. 5340, allows residents to purchase and install plug-in solar systems under 1,200 watts without notifying their utility company. It went into effect Oct. 1. Previously, anyone seeking to install any kind of solar device had to seek permission from their utility first, through an interconnection agreement. But while the law exempts smaller systems from the interconnection process, it still requires the devices to meet the safety standards set by the state’s building and fire codes, as well as certification from UL Solutions, a national product-safety group. That has led to confusion over whether plug-in panels are safe…
