Sen. Mayfield files bill in North Carolina Senate on portable-scale solar device use

A new bill filed by State Sen. Julie Mayfield in the North Carolina Senate aims to let customers use portable-scale solar devices with streamlined requirements and fewer regulatory barriers, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 957 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Portable-Scale Solar Energy Devices.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill defines “portable-scale” solar devices as small solar systems up to 1.92 kilowatts and allows electric utility customers to use them primarily to offset their own electricity use without interconnection agreements, utility approval, added fees, or extra equipment beyond safety requirements. Devices over 391 watts must be certified by a recognized testing lab and must automatically shut off during power outages. Utilities are shielded from liability for damages caused by these devices and may offer special rate tariffs, but users of such devices cannot participate in net metering. The bill exempts these devices from certain reporting and certification rules and expands the Electrical Contractors Board’s public awareness program, appropriating $100,000 in recurring funds starting July 1, 2026.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Timothy D. Moffitt proposed the most bills (78) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Mayfield graduated from Davidson College in 1989 with a BA and again in 1996 from Emory University School of Law with an MD.

Mayfield, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 49th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Terry Van Duyn.