Connecticut

CT

HB 5340 — An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation

Awaiting Signature
Current Status
Last verified: May 2026

Legislative Status

Passed both chambers. House passed May 1, 2026 (as amended). Senate passed in concurrence May 6, 2026. Awaiting Governor Lamont's signature.

Sponsored by: Energy and Technology Committee

Legislation Progress

Awaiting Governor's Signature

92%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

96%

Passed both chambers. House passed May 1, Senate passed in concurrence May 6. Governor Lamont (D) has been supportive of solar. Signature expected.

Session Deadline

May 6, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

Governor Lamont expected to sign. Connecticut would become the 6th US state to legalize plug-in solar (after Utah, Virginia, Maine, Colorado, and Maryland).

Connecticut Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate28.6¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
11¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$340/yr
Last UpdatedMay 2026
Calculate CT Savings
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Key Provisions

Allows use of portable solar photovoltaic systems (plug-in solar). Requires PURA to develop successor programs for RRES, NRES and SCEF programs. Includes agrivoltaics program and solar EJ pilot.

Effective DateOctober 1, 2026
Wattage Limit1,200 watts (AC output) for portable solar generation devices [1].
UL 3700Referenced
PermitRequired (implied by meeting State Building Code requirements and general permit requirements for DERs, not explicitly waived for portable devices) [1].
Utility ApprovalWaived for portable solar generation devices; electric distribution companies cannot require approval before installation or use [1].
UL 3700 DetailsCertified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory [1].
HOA / DeedNot addressed in the bill text for portable solar devices.
RentersThe bill allows for the use of "portable solar photovoltaic systems" (referred to as "portable solar generation devices") which are typically used by renters. Electric distribution companies cannot require approval from customers using these devices [1].
Net MeteringThe bill mentions "virtual net metering" for SAM (state, agricultural, or municipal) customers and tariffs for the purchase of "any energy produced and not consumed" for residential and low-income customers, indicating net metering is addressed [1].
What Makes This State Unique

The bill explicitly defines and allows "portable solar generation devices" with a specific wattage limit (1,200 watts) and provides exemptions from interconnection agreements for these devices. This is a unique provision compared to many other state laws.

Notable Gaps

The bill does not explicitly address HOA restrictions for portable solar devices. While it streamlines permitting for solar in general, it does not explicitly waive permits for portable devices.

What This Means for You

What You Can Do

Once signed: self-install without Eversource or UI approval. At $0.286/kWh, an 800W system could save $315+ per year.

Current Limitations

Law not yet enacted. Connecticut utilities currently require interconnection agreements pending Governor's signature.

Official Bill Reference

Passed Both Chambers — Awaiting Governor's Signature (May 6, 2026)
View Full Bill Text — HB 5340

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Connecticut State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.6 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt41°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,028 kWh/yr
Best MonthsApril–September

The PVWatts energy estimate is based on an hourly performance simulation using a typical-year weather file that represents a multi-year historical period for Hartford, CT for a Fixed (open rack) photovoltaic system. The kWh range is based on analysis of a nearby data site.

Major Utilities
Eversource (CT)
~1.28 million customers
Net metering
United Illuminating (UI)
~340,000 customers
Net metering

Population
3,617,176
Total Households
1,434,007
Owner-Occupied
953,715
Renter-Occupied
480,292
Single-Family Homes
828,914
Apartment Units (5+)
304,762
Median Income
$95,781
Median Home Value
$366,900

33% of Connecticut households are renter-occupied — approximately 480,292 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Connecticut Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) program provides tariff-based compensation for solar generation (systems up to 25 kW eligible). Connecticut Green Bank Smart-E Loans offer low-interest financing for solar. Sales tax exemption on solar systems. Property tax exemption for solar equipment. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.

Connecticut has a fully deregulated electricity market. You may be able to get plug-in solar bundled with your electricity plan through a Retail Energy Provider (REP) — potentially at lower cost than buying hardware outright.

Learn about REP partner offers →

Related Articles

In-depth guides and news about plug-in solar in Connecticut.

State News7 min read

Connecticut HB 5340: The 6th State to Legalize Plug-In Solar — What It Means for Renters

Connecticut's HB 5340 passed both chambers on May 6–7, 2026 — House 99-43, Senate 27-9 — and is heading to Governor Lamont's desk. With the highest residential electricity rates in the continental US at $0.286/kWh, Connecticut renters stand to gain more per watt of plug-in solar than almost anywhere else in the country.

News7 min read

Vermont S.202: Plug-In Solar Bill Passes Both Chambers, Senate Amendment Vote Pending

Vermont S.202 passed the House on May 6, 2026 with amendments. The Senate is now considering the House's proposal of amendment. If the Senate concurs, Vermont would become the 6th state to enact a plug-in solar law — at $0.248/kWh, one of the highest-rate states in New England.

News8 min read

Massachusetts H.5175: Plug-In Solar Bill Passes House 128–27, Now in Senate

Massachusetts H.5175 passed the House 128–27 on February 26, 2026, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on March 2. With the highest electricity rates in the continental US (~$0.33/kWh), Massachusetts residents stand to save $395+ per year from an 800W plug-in solar system.

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Connecticut.

CT rooftop solar guide: Permit proposal under Lamont aims to simplify installations

CT InsiderFebruary 22, 2026

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

Canary MediaFebruary 2026