1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

Pass plug-in solar legislation next session so that renters, condo owners, and homeowners with aging roofs can finally access solar energy. A full rooftop installation runs $20,000 to $30,000 — and that's before factoring in whether your roof can even support panels. Plug-in solar systems cost $1,000 to $2,000, sit on a deck or balcony, and can cover roughly 20% of a home's electricity needs. This is the affordable on-ramp that most Minnesotans actually need. Germany has already installed over 1 million of these systems. Utah passed a plug-in solar law with unanimous, bipartisan support, and about 20 states are now moving on similar legislation. Minnesota should be among them. The fix is straightforward: streamline interconnection for certified systems and open up energy access to the people who've had no options until now. Make this happen next session.