I just heard that H.B. 340 has been signed into law, making plug-in solar officially legal in Utah. This new legislation specifies that a portable solar generation device can have a maximum output of 1,200 watts and be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet. It's designed to help customers offset their electricity consumption. I'm curious about what this means for safety and the potential legal hurdles—do you think this is a safe move? Also, could we see similar laws implemented in other major solar states?
3 Answers
You raise a good point about the NEC compliance. I heard from someone involved in the bill that there aren't currently any systems that meet both UL and NEC certifications. That’s a big hurdle if backfeeding through a standard outlet isn't allowed. It sounds like they didn’t fully consider the implications.
Yeah, it’s not just for solar! H.B. 340 also covers wind energy, hydrogen, and more, as long as they stay under that 1.2 kW limit. I’m even thinking about putting up a 1.2 kW wind turbine to beef up my solar setup. It’s surprising how broad the bill is, but utility companies and legislators must have missed how much self-generation is now allowed!
Do you have a UL-rated wind turbine in mind? I'd love to hear your model suggestions!
It’s a fascinating situation; before this bill, folks had to get permission for any energy-generating device connected to the grid. Now, they’re loosening those restrictions, which feels like a bold move. Just wondering if that could come with risks?
Yeah, it sure was complicated! I think now that small solar setups are popular, this change was necessary to keep up with the trend.
In the UK, we face similar regulations. Even if backfeeding isn’t allowed, it’s still possible to set up a separate feed with safe connections to use systems like this. Europe seems to be more flexible on the wattage limits too.