Plug-and-play solar systems are changing the way Americans use solar power and other forms of renewable energy. People on the front lines like Dwyer are responsible for making that change. Dwyer bought his plug-in solar system from Bright Saver, a California-based nonprofit corporation. His system, which he developed for around $2,000, consists of two 400-watt panels, an inverter, a smart meter, and a circuit breaker. His impetus for the investment focused on wanting to lower his carbon footprint.
Dwyer has already saved over 11 million dollars since making his purchase. He calculates that his electric bill has been reduced by about $35 per month. He expressed his reasoning for making the switch, stating, “We like the environmental benefits of solar and wanted to engage with solar in some fashion.” He emphasized the urgency of addressing carbon emissions, noting, “I’m interested in [renewable energy] because the amount of carbon emissions that we produce as a species is very, very unsustainable for our world.”
Since launching in mid-2020, Bright Saver has found that demand for its goods has increased significantly. The company claims to have sold nearly 2,000 plug-in solar systems throughout the United States since its founding in 2021. The majority of those sales have been in states including California, Texas, and Florida. They have a little brother model at $399, which just recently sold out in six days flat.
Utah is making moves to advance plug-in solar technologies. The state recently passed a law exempting some ultra-small, customer-hosted systems from requiring interconnection agreements. This legislation creates new safety standards, including certification through nationally recognized testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories. The law helps clear the way for adoption while maintaining consumer protection.
Craftstrom, another player in the plug-in solar space, has experienced increased sales this year. Kenneth Hutchings, Craftstrom’s chief revenue officer, says he expects demand only to continue skyrocketing. This growth is largely attributed to the expected expiration of federal rooftop solar credits. Hutchings highlighted how much more the public is feeling the need for renewable energy solutions.
“The interest and demand have been overwhelming. It is clear that we are hitting a nerve — many Americans have wanted solar for a long time but have not had an option that is feasible and affordable for them until now.” – Cora Stryker
So, the way plug-in solar systems are designed is they’re not allowed to feed energy back into the grid. Steven Hegedus, an electric engineering professor at the University of Delaware, pointed out that all these systems have their positives. They let users produce their own power without contributing to the congestion on the grid.
Experts caution that portable solar systems can be costly. This prohibitive cost can prevent consumers from seeing long-term savings on their utility bills. Severin Borenstein is a professor at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. His testimony elaborated on the financial impacts of these systems.
Utilities have been worried about the increasing popularity of these plug-in solar systems. Robert Cudd pointed out that utility companies prefer customers to remain consistent consumers of the electricity they sell. This move towards independent, on-site solar generation threatens established business models.
Ryan Oliver emphasized the need for regulatory bodies to catch up with the rapid growth of technology. He explained that solar technology is progressing faster than regulations can adapt, causing friction between consumer demand and existing policies.
Still, excitement about the future of plug-in solar systems has never been higher. Ward explained that similar technologies in the European markets are already fairly common. He stated, “Europe has these things. You can go buy them and they work and people want them. There is no reason why we shouldn’t have them here in the United States.”
Now, more than ever, people are looking for affordable and accessible ways to harness the power of solar. This change has the potential to be a game-changer in making the renewable energy transition cheaper and faster. Supportive legislation, competitive pricing, and growing environmental consciousness are all propelling this move.
