HB1304: HB1304 Public utilities; portable solar generation devices; provide

Under current Georgia law, distributed solar generation systems above 1,200 watts must meet interconnection rules set by electric utilities, including approval, fees, and sometimes special meters. This bill creates a new category called a 'portable solar generation device,' a small movable solar unit rated at 1,200 watts or less that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet and mainly offsets a customer's own electricity use. The bill says electric service providers cannot require customers to sign an agreement before using one of these devices, cannot demand approval, interconnection fees, bidirectional meters, or extra metering fees. Utilities are not required to pay customers for excess power the device generates, and the device must include a feature that stops it from feeding power into the building's system during an outage. Utilities are also shielded from liability for damage or injury the device causes.

• Creates a new legal definition for a 'portable solar generation device': a movable, plug-in solar unit rated at 1,200 watts or less that meets National Electrical Code standards and is independently safety certified.
• Exempts these small devices from the interconnection and approval rules that apply to larger distributed solar systems under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Title 46).
• Bars electric service providers from requiring a written agreement, approval, interconnection fees, bidirectional meters, or added metering fees before a customer uses one of these devices.
• Says utilities do not have to pay or credit customers for excess electricity these devices generate beyond what the customer uses.
• Requires the devices to automatically stop feeding electricity into a building's system during a power outage, for safety.
• Limits electric service providers' liability for damage or injury caused by a customer's portable solar generation device.

Georgia homeowners and renters who want to use small plug-in solar devices, and the state's electric utilities, electric membership corporations, and municipal electric utilities that currently regulate interconnection of customer-owned solar systems.

Georgians could add a small solar device to their home electrical system without going through a utility approval process, paying fees, or installing special equipment, making small-scale solar power easier and cheaper to try, while utilities gain protection from liability claims tied to these devices.

• Section 1 amends the definitions section (O.C.G.A. § 46-3-52) to add 'portable solar generation device,' defined by a 1,200-watt cap, standard outlet connection, primary purpose of offsetting the customer's own use, National Electrical Code compliance, and independent safety certification.
• Section 2 adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 46-3-57) barring utilities from requiring a written agreement, prior approval, interconnection fees, bidirectional meters, or extra metering fees for these devices.
• Section 2 also states utilities need not compensate customers for surplus electricity these devices generate and requires an anti-backfeed safety feature during outages.
• Section 2 limits electric service provider liability for damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.

1. 2026-02-18House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-17House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-12House Hopper (House)

• Imani Barnes (D, HD-086)Primary sponsor
• Eric Gisler (D, HD-121)
• Karla Drenner (D, HD-085)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Jordan Ridley (R, HD-022)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)

• solar energy
• public utilities
• electricity regulation
• renewable energy
• consumer rights