The Bay Could Plug-In Solar Take Off in California?
Dec 29, 2025
Laura Clivens, a climate reporter for KQED, dives into the innovative world of plug-in solar energy, which allows even renters to harness solar power. She explains how these portable panels can easily attach to balconies or windows and highlights their accessibility compared to traditional rooftop systems. Clivens shares insights from a Berkeley installation, discussing costs and outputs. She also highlights regulatory barriers in the U.S. and the potential for community influence in promoting solar adoption. Discover how plug-in solar could reshape energy use!
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Backyard Installation With Real Family
- Matthew Milner invited installers and an electrician and spent two to three hours mounting panels on his backyard fence and wiring a dedicated outdoor outlet.
- He plugged the system into the outlet and immediately began offsetting some of his home's electricity use.
Flexible Mounting And Zero Marginal Cost
- Plug-in solar can be mounted on fences, balconies, or draped from windows and plugged into standard outdoor outlets.
- The marginal cost of produced energy is essentially zero once installed.
Cost And Output Of One Installation
- Matthew paid about $1,700 for his plug-in solar setup and will get a 30% federal rebate back.
- The system produces up to 800 watts, roughly a fifth of a typical California household's usage.