© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
The flexible, small-scale setups allow renters and those without suitable space for large-scale arrays to still take advantage of solar’s energy savings.
Photo Credit: iStock
Under a new proposal, Ontario would move one step closer to allowing residents to use plug-in solar systems. The flexible, small-scale setups allow renters and those without suitable space for large-scale arrays to still take advantage of solar’s energy savings. 
The proposal, known as Bill 144, would not legalize balcony solar right away but would instead establish a committee to further examine the issue. The Plug into the Sun Act 2026 was introduced in late October, according to PVBuzz Media.
Among the committee’s responsibilities would be formulating recommendations for Ontario’s plug-in solar rules. Though plug-in balcony solar arrays do not provide all of a home’s power, they can reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid, saving people money on energy bills and potentially reducing air pollution. A typical plug-in system consists of one or two small panels paired with a microinverter.
For households considering conventional residential solar, large down payments are a thing of the past thanks to $0 upfront leases that could result in electricity savings of hundreds of dollars per month. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to help estimate possible savings and find vetted local installers.
Should it move forward with allowing balcony solar, Ontario would be following in the footsteps of countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. According to PVBuzz Media, Germans registered 430,000 new balcony solar systems in 2025, contributing around 500 megawatts of generating capacity.
In August, Britain authorized outlet-connected solar equipment rated at 800 watts or less. The government projected yearly electricity bill savings of up to £110 ($148) for participating households.
Were the measure to pass, the deadline for establishing the advisory committee would fall 60 days after Bill 144 takes effect, according to PVBuzz Media. Ontario’s minister of energy and mines would have responsibility for forming the committee, which would include representatives from firefighters, labor groups, tenant organizations, housing providers, electricity distributors, and other stakeholders. 
The committee’s recommendations would be due within six months, PVBuzz Media reported. The review would be required to cover international approaches to plug-in solar as well as equipment safety and certification standards.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
For households exploring a large solar setup, battery storage is another important consideration. EasyHome makes it easy to compare battery-storage options and help homeowners assess which setup would best fit their needs and budget. Pairing solar with batteries can help manage electricity costs by storing power for later use and can also provide backup electricity during outages.
Other jurisdictions have been working through similar questions about plug-in solar safety and access.
• The U.K.’s plug-in solar market promised lower bills amid warnings about unsafe kits.
• A New Jersey bill could offer $1,000 solar rebates and expand access for renters.
• California legalized plug-in solar, and compatible systems could be available by spring.
• California’s plug-in solar bill could help renters save up to $450 a year.
• Connecticut will allow no-permit plug-in solar kits, though 1,200-watt models may not exist yet.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source