A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.
Summary
House Bill 1084 creates a new category in Indiana law for “plug-in solar power systems,” defined as movable photovoltaic devices of 1,200 watts or less that connect to a building through a standard outlet and are intended to offset part of a customer’s electricity use. The bill excludes these systems from the state’s existing distributed generation framework and from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s customer-generator interconnection standards. It also requires the systems to have a built-in feature that shuts them down during a power outage and prevents them from energizing the building’s electrical system or exporting power beyond the meter while the outage lasts.
The bill further limits what electricity suppliers may require from customers who install qualifying plug-in solar systems. Suppliers could not require prior approval, impose fees or charges tied to installation or use, or demand additional controls or equipment beyond what is already integrated into the customer’s building electrical system. The bill also states that electricity suppliers are not liable for injuries or damages caused by a customer’s installation or use of such a system. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026, and would amend Indiana utility law and add a related immunity provision to the state’s tort claims chapter.
Impact
HB1084 would amend Indiana Code provisions governing distributed generation and utility regulation by carving out plug-in solar power systems from the existing interconnection and distributed generation rules. It would add a new chapter in Title 8 establishing technical and operational requirements for these small solar devices, while also limiting utility oversight and customer-facing restrictions. In addition, it would add a liability shield in Indiana’s tort law for electricity suppliers, reducing potential exposure for injuries or damages associated with a customer’s use or installation of a qualifying system.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears generally supportive of expanding consumer access to small-scale solar technology while maintaining basic safety protections. The bill’s structure suggests an effort to make plug-in solar easier and cheaper for homeowners or renters to use by reducing regulatory barriers and utility approval requirements. At the same time, the inclusion of shutdown and anti-backfeed requirements indicates a cautious approach focused on electrical safety and grid protection.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to involve utility oversight, safety, and liability. Electricity suppliers may object to being barred from requiring approval, fees, or extra equipment, since those restrictions limit their ability to manage interconnection risk and recover administrative costs. Utilities may also be concerned about the exemption from interconnection standards and the liability waiver. Supporters, by contrast, are likely to emphasize consumer choice, affordability, and easier adoption of rooftop or balcony-style solar devices. The bill attempts to address safety concerns by requiring certified equipment, compliance with the National Electrical Code, and an outage shutoff feature.