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HB 1129

Balcony Solar.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Eric Ager and 15 co-sponsors

Authorized portable plug-in solar devices up to 1.2 kW with safety/certification, anti-backfeed, and no interconnection fees, plus tenant-landlord rules.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 1129

Summary of North Carolina HB 1129 (Balcony Solar) — 2025 Session

Note: This summary reflects the bill as introduced/apportioned in the provided text dated April 29, 2026.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Create a legal framework to authorize and regulate the use of small portable solar energy generation devices by residential customers.
  • Enable customers to offset part of their own electricity usage with a portable device, while limiting the device’s capacity and ensuring safety and reliability standards.
  • Establish protections for electric power providers, landlords/tenants, and the broader electric grid (e.g., no mandatory interconnection approval, specific notification processes, and safety features).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Definition of Portable Solar Energy Generation Device

  • A portable, moveable device generating electricity via a solar photovoltaic system.
  • Capacity limited to 1.2 kilowatts (kW).
  • Designed to connect to a building’s electrical system through a standard 120-volt AC outlet.

B. Authorization and Use (New Section: § 62-126.15)

  • Electric power customers may install and operate a portable solar device if:
    1. The device primarily offsets the customer’s own electricity use (not for sale to others).
    2. Installation/operation complies with the North Carolina Electrical Code.
    3. The device is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or an equivalent testing lab.
    4. The device includes a mechanism to prevent energizing the building’s electrical system during a power outage (anti-backfeed feature).
    5. The customer notifies the electric power supplier (per a standardized process).
  • Electric power suppliers cannot require:
    • An interconnection agreement or supplier approval as a condition of service.
    • Any fees or charges related to installation or use.
    • Installation of additional controls beyond what the section requires.

  • Notification requirements:

    • Customer must notify the electric power supplier at least 15 days before operation, using a standard form prescribed by the Commission.

  • Liability:

    • Electric power suppliers are not liable for damages or injuries caused by a portable solar device.

C. Regulatory and Administrative Details

  • Within 90 days after the act’s effective date, the Public Utilities Commission must adopt and provide a standardized notification form. Required information on the form includes: customer name/contact, installation address, utility account number, and device model name/number.

D. Net Metering and Related Rates (Amendment to § 62-110.1(g) and § 62-126.4)

  • Certification exemptions referenced in existing rules continue to apply, with explicit clarification that portable devices defined in this bill are not subject to certain net metering requirements.
  • Net metering:
    • Utilities must file revised net metering rates for customers with on-site renewable facilities (excluding portable devices) or customer-generator lessees.
    • Rates must be nondiscriminatory and based on costs/benefits studies; rates may include fixed monthly charges.
    • If new metering rates are not yet approved, interconnection customers may continue at current net metering rates until interim dates; a sunset-like option allows continuation until Jan 1, 2027 for some interconnections.
    • Crucially, customers who operate only a portable solar device (without other on-site renewable facilities) are not eligible to participate in any net metering tariff under § 62-126.4.

E. Tenant Rights and Landlord Regulations (New Section: § 42-42.4)

  • Applies to landlords owning more than four rental dwellings or with more than 10% interest in such properties.
  • Landlords must prohibit exterior installation of portable solar devices by tenants, but may impose reasonable placement restrictions to prevent:
    • Obstruction of egress.
    • Unreasonable property damage.
  • Tenant requirements:
    • Tenants must provide 7 days’ notice before installation.
    • Landlords may request documentation that the device meets:
    • North Carolina Electrical Code standards.
    • UL (or equivalent) certification.
    • Anti-backfeed safety feature.
  • Responsibility and liability:
    • Tenants are responsible for any damages caused by the device.
    • Landlords are not liable for essential service/fault conditions caused solely by the tenant’s portable device.
  • Installation limitations:
    • Tenants may not install devices if it would require alterations to building premises, wiring, or electrical panels without the landlord’s express written approval.

F. Fiscal Note and Effective Date

  • A nonrecurring appropriation of $10,000 from the General Fund to the Utilities Commission for 2026-2027 to implement the act.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026, with other provisions taking effect upon law.

3) Who Would Be Affected

  • Residential electric customers in NC who want to use small portable solar devices (up to 1.2 kW, plug-in via 120V outlet).
  • Electric power suppliers (utilities), which face notification requirements and limitations on conditions for service and fees.
  • Public utility regulators and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NC Utilities Commission), responsible for standardized notice forms and oversight of net metering implications.
  • Landlords of multifamily rental properties (more than four units or >10% interest), who must enforce restrictions and oversee tenant installations.
  • Tenants in multifamily rental properties, who gain limited rights to install portable solar devices subject to landlord restrictions and notice requirements.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Standardized notice form: To be adopted by the NC Utilities Commission within 90 days after the act’s effective date (July 1, 2026).
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Net metering transition: Interim language allows some facilities interconnecting before new rates are approved to continue under existing net metering rates until Jan 1, 2027.
  • Administrative appropriation: $10,000 nonrecurring for 2026-2027 to implement the act.

5) Key Takeaways

  • The bill explicitly authorizes small, plug-in portable solar devices (≤1.2 kW), with safety and certification requirements, and a mandatory outage-anti-backfeed feature.
  • It protects consumers from interconnection hurdles or fees for these portable devices but excludes portable devices from traditional net metering eligibility.
  • It introduces tenant-landlord dynamics, giving landlords authority to restrict exterior portable devices and requiring tenants to follow specified notification and documentation procedures.
  • It assigns initial administrative funding to implement the framework and directs regulatory adoption of a standardized notification process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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