SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Rachel Ventura joined State Representative Daniel Didech, and clean energy advocates to launch a campaign to pass legislation she is sponsoring enabling plug-in solar in Illinois.

The Plug-In Illinois Act would unlock access to affordable solar power for millions of Illinoisans who cannot install rooftop solar – because they are renters, apartment dwellers, or can’t afford the upfront cost – by removing regulatory barriers to small scale plug-in or “balcony” solar units.

Senate Bill 3104 – also filed as House Bill 4524 in the House – would allow consumers to buy a certified solar system and plug it into a standard wall outlet. The effort would make Illinois one of the first states in the nation to enact plug-in solar following Utah, which passed plug-in solar legislation with unanimous bipartisan support last year. Lawmakers in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and other states have introduced plug-in solar legislation as well.

“Today, we’re making clean energy more accessible and affordable while focusing on safety,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Plug-in solar is designed with strong safety protections and modern technology that meets rigorous standards, while giving people a real way to lower their electricity bills. Illinois has long been a leader in expanding access to clean energy solutions, and plug-in solar is the next step in that progress.”

By updating outdated regulations and slashing red tape, Illinois can open the door to affordable, at-home solar for renters, condo owners, and homeowners who have been left out of the clean energy transition.

“For too long, solar has been limited to homeowners with the right kind of roof,” said Didech (D-Buffalo Grove), House sponsor of the bill. “That leaves out renters, condo owners, and Illinois families who want to participate in the clean energy transition but don’t have a pathway to do so. Plug-in solar changes that. With this bill, we’re allowing more people to generate their own power, lower their bills, and be part of our clean energy future. No rooftop, no major installation, just a simple and practical solution that works for how many Illinoisans live.”

Plug-in solar breaks down the biggest barriers to solar adoption and can accommodate both owners and renters:

• Renters can set up systems on balconies or patios without altering their building, and can take their systems with them when they move.
• Condo owners gain a personal, independent solution even without rooftop access.
• Homeowners with shaded or unsuitable roofs can still generate clean energy via their yards, patios or balconies.

When placed in a sunny area, the panels produce electricity that flows into the home’s wiring, powering appliances and reducing the amount of electricity pulled from the grid – lowering monthly bills and carbon emissions.

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