Legislators have passed a bill to help Maine renters lower their energy bills by installing small, plug-in solar units. 

Both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives cast final votes this week in support of LD 1730, which would allow for small, plug-in solar units so renters and other Mainers can access the renewable energy source without the large upfront investment of traditional panels and without adding costs to the state or other ratepayers. 

The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills.

During the House of Representatives discussion last month, Rep. Christopher Kessler (D-South Portland) said looking at the costs of these solar units and current electricity prices, the solar units will pay for themselves in just a few years.

“What this bill is going to do is further allow people to purchase their own plug in solar generators and produce electrons themselves to reduce their cost of energy,” he said. “And this bill is helping to set the safety framework and send the signal to the industry that we are ready to purchase these pieces of equipment.”

Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) raised concerns about the bill eroding property rights and introducing liabilities for landlords.

“It allows tenants to install electrical generation equipment on property they do not own without the property owner’s consent,” she said. “That is a direct conflict of basic property rights, and it sets up inevitable disputes between landlords and tenants.”

Lawmakers in Vermont and New Hampshire are also looking into welcoming these systems, which have already taken off in Europe. More than a million such units have been deployed in Germany.

During an earlier House discussion, Rep. Gary Friedmann (D-Bar Harbor) said the bill prohibits units that generate more than 1,200 watts, leaving users with enough power to run an electric hair dryer or lights in a garage. 

“This is an exciting and promising technology that complements Maine’s independent spirit, frees ratepayers from the volatility of fossil fuels, and promotes a frugal self sufficiency that has kept us strong,” he said. 

The portable solar devices would not be included in the state’s net energy billing program because they don’t contribute power back to the grid. Though, the proposal does include a notification process so utilities can know where the units are located for load planning purposes.

Net energy billing, a credit program developed to incentivize the adoption of renewable energy, has been scrutinized in recent years for contributing to rising energy costs, though state officials say the volatility of natural gas prices is a more significant driver.