How many watts would HB 1971 allow?

Up to 1,200 watts sent back to the grid, from a certified system that plugs into a standard outlet.

Would I need permission from PECO, PPL or Duquesne Light?

No. The bill bars utilities from requiring approval, inspection, registration or notification, and from charging fees.

Would my utility pay me for extra power?

No. These systems couldn't use net metering and wouldn't be credited for power sent to the grid.

What happens if HB 1971 doesn't pass by November 30, 2026?

It dies with the session. A lawmaker would have to reintroduce it in the 2027–28 session.

Is Balcony Solar Legal in Pennsylvania?

Not yet. Pennsylvania's HB 1971 would let you plug in solar systems that send up to 1,200 watts to the grid, with no utility approval, notice or fees. It has sat in the House Energy Committee since October 2025 with no vote, and it dies when the session ends on November 30, 2026.

Pennsylvania balcony solar at a glance

Status	⛔ Stalled
Bill	HB 1971, Rep. Chris Pielli
Would take effect	60 days after it becomes law
Size limit	1,200 W sent back to the grid
Utility interconnection agreement	Not required
Utility fees	Not allowed
Certification	Certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing lab
Renter / HOA rules	Not addressed in the bill text
Last checked	October 28, 2026

What HB 1971 would do

Would allow plug-in systems, with or without a built-in battery, that send no more than 1,200 W back to the grid through a standard outlet.
No interconnection application, agreement, inspection or technical review, and no interconnection or administrative fees.
Utilities couldn't require approval, inspection, registration or even notification, extra equipment, or any fee related to the system or the power it exports.
Hardware must be certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing lab and installed per the manufacturer's instructions and local building and fire codes.
No net metering and no credit for exported power; utilities wouldn't be liable for damage the system causes.
No renter, landlord or HOA rule in the bill text.
Today: customer-owned generation connects under the PUC's interconnection rules (52 Pa. Code ch. 75). Certified inverter systems up to 10 kW get the fastest Level 1 review, and the PUC's guideline fee for Level 1 is $100.

Can I use balcony solar in Pennsylvania right now?

Not as a grid-connected plug-in system with plug-in solar law protections. Until then your utility's normal interconnection rules still apply. What you can do now:

Pick a kit that's UL-certified so it qualifies on day one.
Measure your balcony or railing and check how many hours of direct sun it gets.
Use a panel with a portable power station (battery only, not plugged into your wiring). That setup never connects to the grid, so interconnection rules don't apply.

Renters, landlords and HOAs in Pennsylvania

The bill doesn't say anything about landlords or HOAs, so your lease and building rules still decide. Before you buy:

Read your lease and HOA rules for anything about balcony attachments or electrical devices.
Ask in writing before mounting anything to a railing.
Prefer clamp-on or freestanding mounts that don't drill into the building.

How much can balcony solar save in Pennsylvania?

Find your price per kWh on your PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light or FirstEnergy Pennsylvania bill.
Check the kit's estimated yearly output for your location and the way your balcony faces (south is best, then east or west).
Multiply: yearly kWh × your price per kWh = rough yearly savings. Or use the balcony solar calculator.

Shade, railing angle and how much of the power you use while it's being made all change the result. Plug-in systems are meant to offset what your home uses, not to sell power back.

Timeline

August 21, 2025: Rep. Pielli circulates a co-sponsorship memo, 'Reducing Barriers to Plug-In Solar'.
October 28, 2025: HB 1971 introduced and referred to the House Energy Committee.
October 28, 2026: Still no hearing, committee vote or floor vote, and no Senate companion bill.
November 30, 2026: The 2025–26 session ends; bills not passed by then die.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in Pennsylvania?: Not under a plug-in solar law. HB 1971 would create one, but it hasn't left the House Energy Committee. Today, grid-tied solar of any size needs your utility's interconnection approval.
How many watts would HB 1971 allow?: Up to 1,200 watts sent back to the grid, from a certified system that plugs into a standard outlet.
Would I need permission from PECO, PPL or Duquesne Light?: No. The bill bars utilities from requiring approval, inspection, registration or notification, and from charging fees.
Would my utility pay me for extra power?: No. These systems couldn't use net metering and wouldn't be credited for power sent to the grid.
What happens if HB 1971 doesn't pass by November 30, 2026?: It dies with the session. A lawmaker would have to reintroduce it in the 2027–28 session.

Sources

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.