Bill Text: DE SR21 | 2025-2026 | 153rd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Requesting The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility To Engage In A Study And Issue A Report Assessing The Safety And Utility Of Portable Solar Generation Devices.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-06-24 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES [SR21 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2025-SR21-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Hansen |
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Sens. Cruce, Hoffner, Huxtable, Sokola, Townsend |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 21
REQUESTING THE DELAWARE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILITY TO ENGAGE IN A STUDY AND ISSUE A REPORT ASSESSING THE SAFETY AND UTILITY OF PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES.
WHEREAS, portable solar generation devices, also known as “Balcony Solar” and “Plug-In Solar” are small, modular units around 1200 watts that plug into a standard residential outlet; and
WHEREAS, these devices feed power directly into a home’s electrical system and can offset grid use and reduce utility bills; and
WHEREAS, Plug-In Solar can be ground, balcony, fence, or side of structure mounted; and
WHEREAS, this can increase accessibility to renewable resources to renters and homeowners; and
WHEREAS, some residences are not able to install rooftop solar generation devices; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Delaware Climate Action Plan supports improving solar access for residents, especially our low and moderate income households.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly that, in an effort to further promote accessibility to sustainable resources, the Senate requests that the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (DESEU) engage in a study on the safety and utility of portable solar generation devices, more commonly known as “Balcony Solar” and “Plug-In-Solar”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in doing so, the DESEU is requested to provide funding for the study and the purchase and testing of portable solar generation devices for the study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in conducting the study, the DESEU is requested to collaborate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and each of the public electric utilities in Delaware.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public electric utilities in Delaware are requested to share the data, findings, information, and documentation related to portable solar generation devices with the DESEU and DNREC, so that the DESEU can compile the analysis and provide a written report.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DESEU is requested to submit the report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services on or before January 26, 2027.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is requested that this collaborative effort, study, and analysis involving the DESEU, DNREC, and public electric utilities in Delaware be designed and conducted to include an evaluation of the impact of portable solar generation within the public electric utilities’ respective service territories utilizing varying sizes of portable solar generation devices, quantifying the amount of energy being exported to the distribution system, identifying any safety concerns that may arise as a result of said exports, quantifying any impact on participating customer bills that would come as a result of said exports under various meter configurations, and analyzing whether the devices would produce sufficient energy so as to cause the backflow of energy to the transmission system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DESEU, DNREC, and each of the public electric utilities in Delaware are encouraged to collaborate in identifying customers to participate in this study with a variety of energy use profiles, housing types, and any other characteristics so as to ensure diversity in the sample of customers participating in the study.
SYNOPSIS
In this Simple Senate Resolution, the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (DESEU) is requested to engage in a study and analysis of the safety and utility of portable solar generation devices more commonly known as “Balcony Solar” and “Plug-in Solar”. In conducting the study, the DESEU is requested to collaborate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the public electric utilities in Delaware. The Resolution requests that the DESEU issue a report on the study to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services on or before January 26, 2027.
Author: Senator Hansen
