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Now more than ever, our residents are looking for new, affordable and quick ways to reduce their monthly energy bills.
From rooftop solar panels to geothermal systems and small wind turbines, most clean energy options are geared toward single-family homeowners who possess a suitable rooftop, ground space or a combination of both — as well as the sufficient capital needed for installation. However, with approximately one-third of Marylanders renting their home or apartments, these systems are not feasible for all. But there is another alternative — balcony solar — also known as plug-in solar. These systems can be purchased for a fraction of the price of rooftop panels and can be as simple to use as plugging into an existing electrical outlet.
During my economic development and diplomatic European Trade Mission in 2024, I saw how incredibly popular balcony solar systems are in Germany. With one of Europe’s lowest homeownership rates, Germany is a nation of renters, making balcony solar the most obvious choice for its people to save money while generating their own clean power. Designed for apartments and homes with limited space, balcony systems feature one or two photovoltaic panels that mount on railings or walls and plug into a standard household electrical outlet. Residents are then able to produce supplemental power to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint without the need for complex installations, structural modifications or utility interconnection agreements.
Additionally, unlike traditional rooftop systems, balcony solar requires minimal upfront investment. Offered at an affordable price by retail outlets (like IKEA and Lidl in Germany), balcony solar kits offer an accessible entry point to renewable energy for lower- and middle-income families who have been historically excluded from solar adoption.
Maryland has the nation’s most ambitious climate goals and has made the greatest progress toward reducing its climate pollution compared with other states. However, to continue advancing Maryland’s clean energy and environmental justice priorities, we must make it easier for all Marylanders to participate. Now is the time to expand the pool of residential solar adopters by ensuring the clean energy transition does not leave out vulnerable communities that can most benefit from cheaper, home-grown electricity.
This past year, Utah did just that when its state legislators unanimously passed a bill into law that enables Utahns to install small balcony solar without complex utility approvals. Other states, such as New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and California, are quickly following suit, introducing legislation or exploring ways they too can reduce red tape for these small, plug-in solar setups.
Balcony solar would be a win-win solution that sets Maryland up for greater energy independence while increasing clean energy that will reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions. When thousands of residents generate power during sunny summer afternoons — precisely when demand and electricity prices typically peak — the collective effect would ease strain on our electrical grid and help keep costs down for households. Distributing electrical generation across thousands of households can help reduce transmission losses and can delay the need for costly grid upgrades that put even greater pressure on ratepayers’ electrical bills. Moreover, this could ultimately lay the foundation for broader deployment of distributed energy resources, including battery energy storage systems, that can be harnessed as virtual power plants. This would further democratize our energy systems and advance Maryland’s energy independence.
We have seen this firsthand in Howard County with our 2020 solar purchase power agreement (PPA). With the largest PPA in Maryland, we now generate half of the electricity consumed by all Howard County government buildings. Additionally, over its 25-year lifespan, this PPA will save the county approximately $30 million. Solar energy in Howard County has increased by 23% over the past year as Howard County now has 150 megawatts (MW) of solar installed countywide — enough to power 16,000 homes. This places us more than one-third of the way toward achieving the county’s ambitious Climate Forward plan’s 2030 goal of 437 MW of solar energy and over 1,100 MW by 2045.
Finally, at a time when the federal government is inexplicably working to slow energy independence, state and local efforts are even more imperative. By enabling and embracing balcony solar, Maryland can show that clean energy, climate action and economic progress go hand in hand. By enacting legislation that exempts balcony solar from interconnection agreements and allows more residents to tap free and abundant energy from the sun, we can help our great state meet its climate commitments and empower all Marylanders to be a part of the clean energy revolution.
The General Assembly has an opportunity to champion balcony solar by enacting Del. Lorig Charkoudian’s proposed “Affordable Solar Act,” which will enable Maryland residents to obtain and install balcony solar. This would be a simple yet transformative policy change that would democratize solar access, creating cleaner and cheaper electricity for all.
Calvin Ball (CBall@howardcountymd.gov) is the Howard County executive.
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