Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) has introduced H.R. 10851, titled the “Socket Full of Sunshine Act,” which contains provisions that would require all state utility commissions to consider plug-in solar rules, provided that state’s legislature has not already enacted similar rules or explicitly voted to not pass such a bill.
“Families are getting squeezed by electric bills that keep going up,” Menendez said in a statement announcing the bill’s introduction. “Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way to cut those bills, but outdated rules and unnecessary fees are standing in the way. The Socket Full of Sunshine Act clears those barriers so more families, including renters, can start saving.”
Similar to the plug-in solar laws currently adopted in 10 states, H.R. 10851 defines a “portable solar generation device” as having a maximum output of 1,200 watts and connecting to a ‘standard 120-volt alternating current outlet.” The bill further requires that a plug-in solar device meets NEC standards and is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or a similar national testing lab.
A final stipulation regarding system design requires plug-in solar devices to be equipped with a power control system if they exceed 400 watts of AC output.
Having been introduced late in the congressional calendar for the year, the bill will not see action until after the pre-election recess scheduled to end in mid-November. That leaves congress with just a handful of days to consider the bill in the lame duck session before the Jan. 3, 2027 deadline.
Potential rebates
Alongside the new requirements, the bill would direct the Department of Energy to establish a grant program to provide rebates of up to $1,000 to low- or moderate-income households. To obtain the funds, states would have to establish rebate programs that verify income eligibility at the point of sale and “prioritize renters, multifamily residents, and high-energy burdened communities.”
The rebate grants would be available only to those states in which plug-in solar rules prohibit landlords from blocking their tenants’ use of plug-in solar devices.
Further, the rebates would only be available for plug-in solar devices that were manufactured in the United States and contain greater than 55% domestic content components.
The rebate program would be funded with $100 million per year from FY 2027 through FY 2032, totaling $600 million.
Consumer protection
The bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop product safety standard for portable solar generation devices, and would require equipment providers to share information with consumers that covers how to install and use portable solar devices along with details on warranty coverage and expected energy bill savings.
In addition, the bill makes it voluntary on the part of the manufacturer for devices to come with an “expected electricity costs savings label” that looks like the yellow Energy Guide labels required on new appliances.
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