Vermont S.202 Signed Into Law: Vermont Becomes the 8th State to Legalize Plug-In Solar

By PlugInSolarUS Editorial Team · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated June 16, 2026 · 7 min read

Governor Phil Scott signed Vermont S.202 into law on June 16, 2026, making Vermont the 8th US state to legalize plug-in solar. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. At $0.248/kWh, Vermont renters can save $265+ per year.

Vermont S.202 Signed Into Law — infographic showing all 5 legislative steps completed, key provisions, and economics for Vermont renters

Vermont S.202 Signed Into Law: Vermont Becomes the 8th US State to Legalize Plug-In Solar

✅ Signed Into Law — June 16, 2026

Governor Phil Scott signed Vermont S.202 into law on June 16, 2026. Vermont is the 8th US state to enact plug-in solar legislation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Key provision: tenants must give 10 days written notice to their landlord before installing; the landlord may impose reasonable restrictions within 10 days.

Vermont has become the 8th US state to legalize plug-in solar. Governor Phil Scott signed S.202 — An Act Relating to Plug-In Photovoltaic Devices into law on June 16, 2026. The bill had strong bipartisan support throughout its legislative journey: the Senate passed it unanimously 29-0 on January 29, 2026, the House passed it with amendments on May 6, 2026, the Senate concurred on May 14 with a tenant notice amendment, and the House gave final concurrence on May 26, 2026.

The bill was championed by Sen. Anne Watson (D/P-Washington), chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, who introduced it alongside ten co-sponsors. It received unanimous 29-0 passage in the Senate and strong bipartisan support in the House, where the Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee reported it favorably with amendment on May 5, 2026, followed by full House passage on May 6.

What Vermont's Plug-In Solar Law Does

Vermont S.202 (now Act 84) creates a clear legal framework for plug-in solar in the state, with provisions closely aligned with the laws already enacted in Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Hampshire:

1,200W AC output cap per meter: Systems are limited to 1,200 watts AC output per electrical meter — consistent with most other state plug-in solar laws.
No utility fees or prior approval: Vermont's electric utilities (Green Mountain Power, Burlington Electric, and others) would be prohibited from charging extra fees or requiring prior approval for qualifying systems.
No building permit required: Qualifying systems can be self-installed without a building permit.
Landlord protection: Landlords cannot prohibit tenants from installing qualifying plug-in solar devices.
Certification required: Devices must be certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.

The Vermont Electricity Rate Context

Vermont has some of the highest electricity rates in New England, making plug-in solar particularly financially compelling for residents. At an average residential rate of approximately $0.248/kWh, Vermont ranks among the top five most expensive states for residential electricity in the country.

Metric	Value (VT average rate: $0.248/kWh)
Annual Production (800W, 4.2 peak sun hours)	~1,226 kWh
Annual Savings at $0.248/kWh	~$304/year
Typical System Cost	~$1,200–$1,500
Estimated Payback Period	4–5 years

Vermont also has a strong net metering program. While plug-in solar systems do not technically qualify for net metering credits (they are not registered with the utility), the savings come from direct consumption offset — every kilowatt-hour the system generates is a kilowatt-hour the household does not buy from the grid at $0.248.

How Vermont Compares to Other New England States

Vermont S.202 is part of a broader wave of plug-in solar legislation sweeping New England. Maine enacted its law on April 6, 2026. Connecticut signed HB 5340 on May 20, 2026 (Public Act 26-127). New Hampshire signed SB 540-FN in June 2026. Vermont signed S. 202 on June 16, 2026 — all four New England states with active bills have now enacted plug-in solar legislation.

State	Rate (¢/kWh)	Est. Annual Savings (800W)	Status
New Hampshire	28.1¢	~$336	⏳ Awaiting Gov. Ayotte
Vermont	24.8¢	~$304	✅ Enacted (Jul 1, 2026)
Connecticut	28.6¢	~$315	⏳ Awaiting Gov. Lamont
Maine	21.5¢	~$250	✅ Enacted (Jul 2026)
Massachusetts	33.0¢	~$384	📋 H 4744 / H 5151 in Senate

The Legislative Journey

Vermont's plug-in solar bill had an unusually smooth legislative path. Sen. Watson introduced S.202 in January 2026 after months of preparation, including a September 2025 announcement that she planned to bring the bill in the 2026 session. The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee recommended it favorably, and the full Senate passed it 29-0 on January 29, 2026 — a unanimous vote that signaled broad political support.

The House referred the bill to the Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee in February. After hearings and review, the committee reported it favorably with amendment on May 5, 2026. The full House passed the amended version on May 6. The key difference between the Senate and House versions relates to technical definitions and implementation details; the substantive consumer protections — no utility fees, no permits, landlord prohibition — are preserved in both versions.

The Senate concurred with the House amendment on May 14, 2026, but added a further amendment requiring tenants to give 10 days written notice to landlords before installing a plug-in solar device. The House gave final concurrence on May 26, 2026, and the Vermont legislature adjourned on May 29. Governor Phil Scott signed the bill into law on June 16, 2026 — well within the 30-day window after adjournment.

What This Means for Vermont Renters

Vermont has approximately 100,000 renter households — about 30% of all occupied housing units in the state. Vermont renters face a particular challenge: the state has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, much of it poorly insulated, making energy costs a significant burden for low- and moderate-income households.

Starting July 1, 2026, Vermont renters can:

Install one plug-in solar device up to 1,200W. Note: Tenants must give 10 days written notice to their landlord before installing; the landlord may impose reasonable restrictions within 10 days.
Self-install without an interconnection agreement, permit, or utility fee.
Expect to save approximately $300 per year from an 800W system on a south-facing balcony or patio, generating roughly 1,200 kWh per year at Vermont's $0.248/kWh rate.
Devices must be UL-certified or certified by an equivalent nationally recognized testing organization.

Key Quotes

"This bill is about giving Vermonters — especially renters — a simple, affordable way to generate their own clean energy and reduce their electric bills without needing a landlord's permission or a permit."
— Sen. Anne Watson, lead sponsor of S.202

What This Means for Vermont Residents

With Governor Scott's signature on June 16, 2026, Vermont's plug-in solar law is now enacted. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Vermont residents can begin planning their installations now.

Tenant notice provision: Tenants must give 10 days written notice to their landlord before installing a plug-in solar device. The landlord may impose reasonable restrictions within those 10 days, including requiring a licensed electrician to perform any electrical work. If the landlord does not respond within 10 days, the tenant may proceed. The landlord cannot be compelled to pay for any electrical work.

Vermont joins Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as the 8th US state to enact explicit plug-in solar legislation. The effective date is July 1, 2026.