A California bill would streamline approvals for small portable solar panels that can be plugged into a regular outlet.

Assembly Bill 868, which has already passed the state Senate, would bar utility companies from charging a fee or requiring a connection agreement for so-called “balcony solar” kits.

Regina Banks, director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy in California, is among those appearing today before the state Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee to support the bill.

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“Small units would be able to power large appliances and every little bit helps,” Banks said. “It would cover about 14% of an average apartment’s electricity use.”

Supporters say plug-in solar units could save people $400 to $500 a year on their power bills and would be especially helpful for renters or people who cannot put solar panels on their roof.

An analysis attached to the bill notes that some utilities and electrical worker labor unions oppose the proposal, saying the units could produce shocks or overheat, creating a fire hazard.

Susan Stephenson, director of the nonprofit Interfaith Power and Light, said she suspects the opposition is more financial in nature.

“Utilities seem to be opposing it just because they don’t want anything that would reduce the amount that you have to pay to utilities,” Stephenson said. “They also generally like to control all the power.”

PG&E said in a statement that the company supports the bill if it is amended to “ensure clear notification, appropriate technical standards, and transparency around installed devices” to safely scale the technology while maintaining reliability.

Banks said plug-in solar could also lower the need to build expensive transmission lines and power plants that burn natural gas, a fossil fuel.

“This is one of many options that are available that California needs to have as a part of its toolkit to address the climate crisis,” Banks said.

Portable solar units are now widely used in Germany. The bill would make California the second state to welcome their use, after Utah.