H.R. 10851
Socket Full of Sunshine Act
Sponsor: Robert Menendez · 0 cosponsors
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Text of the bill
(a) Federal standard. Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(22) Portable solar generation devices
(A) Consideration. Each State shall consider measures to promote the use of portable solar generation devices, particularly those manufactured in the United States, including by—
(i) exempting portable solar generation devices from—
(I) any requirement to obtain or execute an interconnection agreement prior to operating the portable solar generation device; and
(II) net metering program requirements; and
(ii) prohibiting electric utilities from requiring an electric consumer using a portable solar generation device to—
(I) obtain the electric utility’s approval prior to installing or using the portable solar generation device;
(II) purchase insurance for use of the portable solar generation device;
(III) pay any fee or charge related to the portable solar generation device; or
(IV) install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable solar generation device.
(B) Definition. In this paragraph, the term portable solar generation device means a moveable photovoltaic generation device that—
(i) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts;
(ii) is designed to be connected to a building’s electrical system through a standard 120-volt alternating current outlet;
(iii) is intended primarily to offset part of the electricity consumption of the electric consumer who owns or uses the device;
(iv) meets the standards of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code;
(v) is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory; and
(vi) is equipped with a power control system, if the device has a maximum power output that is greater than or equal to 400 watts.
(b) Conforming amendments
(1) Consideration and determination. Section 111(a) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(a)) is amended by striking Each State and inserting Except as otherwise provided, each State.
(2) Obligations To consider and determine
(A) Time limitations. Section 112(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2622(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(9)
(A) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority) shall commence consideration under section 111, or set a hearing date for consideration, with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d).
(B) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority) shall complete the consideration and make the determination under section 111 with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d).
(B) Failure to comply. Section 112(c) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2622(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: In the case of the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this subsection to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph (22)..
(C) Prior State actions. Section 112 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2622) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(i) Prior State actions. Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d) in the case of any State regulated electric utility in a State if, before the date of enactment of this subsection—
(1) the State has implemented for the State regulated electric utility the standard (or a comparable standard);
(2) the State regulatory authority for the State has conducted a proceeding to consider implementation of the standard (or a comparable standard) for the State regulated electric utility; or
(3) the State legislature has voted on the implementation of the standard (or a comparable standard) for the State regulated electric utility during the 3-year period ending on that date of enactment.
(c) Prior and pending proceedings. Section 124 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2634) is amended by adding at the end the following: In the case of the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this section to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph (22)..