tech
Power to the people: how ‘balcony solar’ could help fight rising US utility costs
More Americans are using small solar panels in their back yards or balconies as a clean way to cut their electric bills
TL;DR
- Residential energy prices in the US have increased by about 30% since 2020.
- Lightweight, thin-film solar panels offer a 'plug-and-play' solution for consumers, unlike traditional rooftop solar installations.
- These kits can be installed on balconies or in yards and plugged into standard wall outlets.
- The systems, such as those from Bright Saver, cost around $400 and can save users an estimated $30 to $50 per month.
- The technology, common in Germany as 'Balkonkraftwerk', can trim monthly costs by 10% to 25%.
- US adoption has been hindered by utility regulations, but 34 states and Washington DC have introduced legislation to allow these systems.
- Utah was the first state to officially authorize plug-in solar in 2025.