Vermont S.202 Passes Both Chambers: What the Plug-In Solar Bill Means for VT Renters

By PlugInSolarUS Editorial Team · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated May 26, 2026 · 7 min read

Vermont S.202 passed both chambers on May 26, 2026 and is now on Governor Phil Scott's desk. If signed, Vermont would become the 8th state to legalize plug-in solar, effective July 1, 2026. At $0.248/kWh, Vermont renters could save $265+ per year.

Vermont S.202 — plug-in solar bill infographic showing 1,200W limit, 24.8¢/kWh rate, and savings for Vermont renters

Vermont S.202: House Concurrence Pending on Senate Tenant Notice Amendment

⏳ Updated May 26, 2026 — Passed Both Chambers, Awaiting Governor Scott's Signature

Vermont S.202 passed both chambers on May 26, 2026 and is now on Governor Phil Scott's desk. The Vermont legislature adjourned May 29, 2026. Governor Scott (R) has 30 days after adjournment (by ~June 28, 2026) to sign or veto. Key provision: tenants must give 10 days written notice to their landlord before installing; the landlord may impose reasonable restrictions within 10 days. If signed, the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Vermont is on the verge of becoming the next state to legalize plug-in solar. The Vermont General Assembly has been working through S.202 — An Act Relating to Portable Solar Energy Generation Devices with strong support in both chambers. The Senate passed the bill unanimously 29-0 on January 29, 2026. The House passed it with amendments on May 6, 2026. The Senate concurred on May 14 but added a tenant notice amendment, sending the bill back to the House for a final concurrence vote.

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 S.202 Would Do

Vermont S.202 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, and Maryland:

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 passed HB 5340 through both chambers in May 2026 and is awaiting Governor Lamont's signature. New Hampshire passed SB 540-FN on May 14, 2026 and is awaiting Governor Ayotte's signature.

State	Rate (¢/kWh)	Est. Annual Savings (800W)	Status
New Hampshire	28.1¢	~$336	⏳ Awaiting Gov. Ayotte
Vermont	24.8¢	~$304	⏳ House Concurrence Pending (May 19)
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 bill is now back in the House for a final concurrence vote, which is on the House Action Calendar for May 19, 2026. Once the House concurs, the bill goes to Governor Phil Scott. Scott has not publicly commented on S.202, but Vermont's strong clean energy policy tradition and the bill's unanimous Senate passage suggest a favorable reception is likely.

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.

Once S.202 takes effect:

Vermont renters can install one plug-in solar device up to 1,200W. Note: The Senate added a tenant notice provision: tenants must give 10 days written notice to their landlord before installing; the landlord may impose reasonable restrictions within 10 days.
No interconnection agreement, no permit, and no utility fee will be required.
An 800W system on a south-facing balcony or patio in Vermont, generating roughly 1,200 kWh per year, would save approximately $300 per year at current rates.
Devices must be UL-certified or certified by an equivalent national 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 Happens Next

The House must vote to concur with the Senate's further amendments (the tenant notice provision). This is on the House Action Calendar for May 19, 2026. If the House concurs, the bill goes directly to Governor Phil Scott for signature. Given the bill's unanimous Senate passage and strong House support throughout, concurrence is the most likely outcome.

New tenant notice provision (added by Senate May 14, 2026): 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.

If Governor Scott signs the bill, Vermont would join Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, and Maryland as the sixth state to enact explicit plug-in solar legislation. The effective date is July 1, 2026 per the current bill language.