Pennsylvania HB 1971: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2530
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1971
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PIELLI, FIEDLER, GIRAL, FRIEL, SHUSTERMAN, OTTEN,
GUZMAN, WAXMAN, HOWARD, HILL-EVANS, DONAHUE, D. WILLIAMS,
BOROWSKI, RIVERA, VITALI, KAZEEM, NEILSON, STEELE, SANCHEZ,
CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, GREEN, SCOTT, BOYD, GILLEN, TAKAC AND
HOHENSTEIN, OCTOBER 27, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility
industry, further providing for definitions and providing for
portable solar generation systems.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2803 of Title 66 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 2803. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Portable solar generation system" or "system." A solar
photovoltaic energy system or hybrid solar photovoltaic energy
system integrated with battery storage that is:
(1) Limited to supplying a maximum power output of not
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more than 1,200 watts back to the electric utility grid.
(2) Designed to connect directly to the electrical
system of a building or facility through a standard
electrical outlet.
(3) Intended primarily to offset part of the customer's
electricity consumption.
(4) Certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an
equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.
* * *
Section 2. Title 66 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 2816. Portable solar generation systems.
(a) Exemption from interconnection.--A customer operating a
portable solar generation system under this section shall not be
subject to:
(1) Requirements to submit an interconnection
application or enter into an interconnection agreement with
an electric distribution company.
(2) Inspection or technical interconnection review by
the electric distribution company.
(3) Any interconnection or administrative fees related
to the operation of the system.
(b) Limitations.--A portable solar generation system:
(1) May not be eligible to participate in net metering
programs established under this title.
(2) Shall not be credited or compensated by the electric
distribution company for any energy exported to the grid.
(3) May only be used to offset on-site electricity
consumption by the customer.
(c) Duties of electric distribution companies.--For a
customer operating a portable solar generation system, an
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electric distribution company may not impose any:
(1) Requirements for prior approval, inspection,
registration or notification from a customer.
(2) Requirements for the installation of additional
controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the
system.
(3) Additional fees or service charges related to the
system or supplying electricity back to the electric utility
grid.
(d) Limitations on liability.--An electric distribution
company may not be found liable for any damage or injury
resulting from the operation of a portable solar generation
system.
(e) Safety compliance.--A customer must ensure that the
system is installed and operated in accordance with manufacturer
instructions and applicable local building and fire safety
codes.
(f) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to:
(1) Authorize the interconnection of noncompliant or
noncertified systems.
(2) Alter net metering rights for a customer-generator
provided under section 5 of the act of November 30, 2004
(P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio
Standards Act.
(3) Exempt systems from any applicable safety laws and
regulations in this Commonwealth.
(4) Prevent a local agency from enforcing general
electrical safety provisions, provided that the enforcement
does not require interconnection applications or electric
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utility approval.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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