New Jersey Legalizes Plug-In Solar Amid Safety Concerns

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a bill on Tuesday that aims to simplify the adoption of small, plug-in solar systems for residential electricity generation. These plug-in photovoltaic (PIPV) systems are significantly more affordable than traditional rooftop solar installations, costing hundreds of dollars compared to tens of thousands, and are projected to reduce household electricity bills by up to $50 per month. Despite the accessibility and sustainability benefits highlighted by Governor Sherrill, safety experts are urging consumers to exercise caution. Ken Boyce, vice president of principal engineering at UL Solutions, a company specializing in product testing and safety science, advises consumers to "wait until you can get a PIPV system that has been shown to comply with the UL 3700 requirements." UL Solutions identified potential fire and shock hazards associated with PIPV systems during their research, which informed the development of the UL 3700 safety standard specifically for these devices. New Jersey's new law mandates that qualifying PIPV systems must be listed or certified under UL 3700 or a comparable standard. However, UL Solutions' research found that none of the commercially available PIPV products they examined met these new safety requirements. While they did not test every product on the market, the commercially available systems acquired for their research failed to comply with UL 3700. The operational process of a PIPV system involves solar panels capturing sunlight, an inverter converting the direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC), and the system then plugging into a standard household outlet. The safety concerns arise from the integration of these components and their connection to the home's electrical grid without the robust oversight previously applied to larger solar installations. The development of UL 3700 signifies a critical step in addressing these emerging safety challenges as more states consider similar legislation to promote distributed solar energy generation. The lag between legislative legalization and the availability of certified safe products presents a potential risk to consumers eager to adopt this cost-effective renewable energy solution. Industry stakeholders are now focused on accelerating the development and certification of PIPV systems that meet the stringent safety benchmarks established by UL 3700 and similar future standards, ensuring that the expansion of this technology prioritizes consumer safety alongside environmental benefits.