CT Lawmakers Push Solar Panel Bill

0:00It's March 25th. Welcome to Canada News today, powered by AI. Connecticut lawmakers are pushing a bill to make plug-in solar panels easier for customers to use. House Bill 5340 would let people install panels up to 1,200 watts without needing approval from their local utility. As long as the devices meet safety standards. These portable balcony panels could power things like a refrigerator or several gadgets, helping folks cut high electric bills. No law outright bans these panels in the state, but unclear rules and utility agreements have slowed them down. They're already popular in places like Germany for renters, and Utah became the first US state to clear hurdles last year, with Virginia following. This year, more than 20 states are now looking at similar changes. Supporters say that panels boost energy awareness and savings on big appliances. Utilities worry their meters might not handle any extra power fed back to the grid, charging users for their own solar output.

1:00Lawmakers, including some Republicans, show interest but stress safety first. The bill passed the Energy and Technology Committee last week on a party line vote, with objections mostly on other parts. Officials from energy agencies and consumer advocates want more study on risks before moving forward. Certification by groups like UL Solutions would be required to address those concerns. Discussions continue as the session nears its end in early May, with hopes to either pass the measure or launch a deeper review soon.