A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Socket Full of Sunshine Act. It requires States to consider establishing a Federal standard to promote the use of portable solar generation devices. The bill creates a grant program at the Department of Energy to provide point-of-sale rebates of up to $1,000 for low- or moderate-income households to purchase these devices. It protects tenants by requiring States to prohibit landlords from stopping tenants from using or placing these devices on their leased premises. The Federal Trade Commission, EPA, and the Secretary of Energy are directed to establish a voluntary electricity cost savings label for the devices. Finally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission must promulgate a final consumer product safety standard for portable solar generation devices.
Yes· 3 of 25
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Low- and moderate-income households are explicitly targeted for point-of-sale rebates of up to $1,000.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill establishes a $100 million annual grant program for rebates on portable solar generation devices.
- Scored +5
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Promoting portable solar generation devices helps displace fossil fuel electricity consumption with renewable energy.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for the Department of Energy grant program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Low- or moderate-income households, renters, multifamily residents, and high-energy burdened communities may benefit from financial assistance because Section 3(a) and Section 3(b)(3) establish a Department of Energy grant program for States to provide point-of-sale rebates of up to $1,000 for purchasing a portable solar generation device, with a priority for these specific groups.
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Tenants are protected from landlords who might otherwise ban these devices because Section 3(f)(1) requires States to prohibit landlords from stopping tenants who pay their own electric service from utilizing a portable solar generation device or placing it on their leased premises, balconies, or patios.
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Consumers using portable solar generation devices are exempt from certain utility burdens because Section 2(a) amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to have States consider exempting these devices from interconnection agreements, net metering requirements, utility approval prior to use, mandatory insurance purchases, utility fees, and additional equipment requirements.
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Consumers can easily identify devices made in the United States and understand expected savings because Section 3(e) implements Buy America requirements for rebates, and Section 4 establishes a voluntary expected electricity costs savings label similar to an Energy Guide label.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Taxpayers across the United States will bear the cost of the grant program because Section 3(g) authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to carry out the Department of Energy grant program for portable solar generation device rebates.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low- and moderate-income households are explicitly targeted for point-of-sale rebates of up to $1,000. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income households may qualify for rebates and benefit from reduced regulatory barriers and utility fees. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Apartment dwellers and urban renters benefit from provisions preventing landlords from banning portable solar devices. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — High-energy burdened communities, which often include minority populations, are prioritized for grants. Would business owners be better off under this? — Solar equipment manufacturers and retail businesses benefit from increased consumer demand spurred by federal grants. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — High-energy burdened and low-income communities receive priority under the Department of Energy grant program. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees on fixed incomes can achieve long-term electricity cost savings using portable solar generation systems. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Fixed-income seniors can lower their monthly electricity bills through portable solar generation devices and rebates. Would students be better off under this? — Students and renters living in apartments or non-traditional housing are aided by tenant protections for solar devices. Would union members be better off under this? — Labor organizations are consulted in safety standard development, and domestic manufacturing requirements support domestic jobs. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Renters and younger adults living in multifamily housing gain protections to install portable solar devices. Would children be better off under this? — Lower household utility burdens and reduced emissions benefit children's living environments. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged households benefit from potential utility cost savings and eligibility for solar rebates. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents benefit from standardized consideration of portable solar generation devices by state utilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill establishes a $100 million annual grant program for rebates on portable solar generation devices. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Promoting portable solar generation devices helps displace fossil fuel electricity consumption with renewable energy. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Encouraging the adoption of clean solar technology supports broader environmental and air quality goals.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The CPSC is required to promulgate consumer product safety standards for portable solar generation devices. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Manufacturers and sellers of portable solar devices benefit from increased consumer demand driven by the federal rebate program. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill incentivizes domestic manufacturing of portable solar generation devices through Buy America requirements tied to grants. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Federal investment in clean energy technology and point-of-sale rebates supports market activity in the renewable sector. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for the Department of Energy grant program.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Tenants and multifamily residents are protected from landlords blocking the use of solar devices on leased premises. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Low- and moderate-income households receive point-of-sale rebates to help lower their electricity costs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a voluntary expected electricity costs savings label for consumers similar to an Energy Guide label. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes new federal standards under PURPA and conditions state grant eligibility on specific tenant protections.
- 10/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House