California Senator Unveils Clean Homes and Energy Affordability Package to Cut Household Energy Costs
- brg_news_room
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
USA: Senator Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco) today announced the Clean Homes and Energy Affordability Package (CHEAP), comprising SB 222, the Heat Pump Access Act, and SB 868, the Plug-and-Play Solar Act. SB 222 aims to simplify and accelerate permitting for heat pump HVAC and water heater installations, while SB 868 streamlines approvals for plug-in solar systems, a new category of small, portable solar technology with the potential to significantly reduce energy costs for California renters, apartment residents, and homeowners.
Together, the two bills are designed to help Californians lower household energy expenses by improving access to cost-effective clean energy technologies. Depending on the system and home type, plug-in solar can save households up to $450 annually, while switching to a heat pump can reduce average U.S. household energy costs by nearly $400 per year. These measures come amid sharply rising electricity prices, with PG&E rates increasing by nearly 40% between 2022 and 2025, leaving California with the second-highest electricity rates in the country after Hawaii.
While conventional rooftop solar systems typically range from 5,000 to 10,000 watts, plug-in systems are much smaller, generally between 200 and 1,800 watts, yet can still meet up to one-fifth of an average household’s energy needs. Priced at approximately $400 for a 200-watt system and up to $2,000 for an 800-watt system without a battery, they offer a relatively affordable pathway to lower energy bills.
Despite their small scale and safety profile, utilities currently subject plug-in solar systems to the same regulatory requirements as large-scale installations. SB 868 seeks to remove unnecessary barriers by establishing appropriate safety standards and eliminating burdensome utility requirements, such as full interconnection agreements, thereby lowering consumer costs, easing grid pressure, diversifying energy sources, and reducing air pollution.
Source: Senator Scott Wiener
