Plug-In Solar in Vermont — Legal
Bill: S. 202 — An Act Relating to Plug-In Photovoltaic Devices
Sponsor: Sen. Anne Watson
Legislative Status: Signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026. Passed both chambers May 26, 2026 (Senate 29-0 in January, House passed with amendments May 6, Senate concurred May 14 with tenant notice amendment, House concurred May 26). Effective July 1, 2026.
Current Status: Signed into Law — Act 84 (June 16, 2026)
Last Updated: June 16, 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 22.4¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $228/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 8¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.1 |
| Retail Choice | none |
Key Provisions
Allows plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts per meter. Prohibits utilities from charging extra fees for certified devices. Allows self-installation without permits. Requires UL 3700 certification. Tenants must give 10 days written notice to landlord before installing. Devices must be connected to smart meters. Customers with existing net metering systems may not also install a plug-in solar device.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts |
| UL 3700 | required — Explicitly required by name: the law states devices must comply with "UL 3700 for plug-in photovoltaic systems by UL Solutions or an equivalent certification by an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory." Vermont is one of the first states to name UL 3700 directly in enacted legislation. |
| HOA Provision | Deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting portable solar energy generation devices from being installed. |
| Renter Provision | Senate amendment (May 14, 2026) added a 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 10 days, including requiring a licensed electrician. If the landlord does not respond within 10 days, the tenant may proceed. The landlord cannot be compelled to pay for any electrical work. |
| Utility Approval | Waived — utilities cannot require prior approval, charge fees, or require additional equipment. |
| Permit Required | Not required — explicitly exempt from § 248 (certificate of public good) and interconnection agreements. The law does not mention electrical permits. |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not eligible for net metering; excess generation fed back into the grid shall not be compensated. Customers with a net metering system cannot also install a portable solar device. |
| Key Differences | Vermont requires devices to be connected to smart meters only. Customers with an existing net metering system cannot also install a plug-in solar device. The tenant notice provision (10 days written notice to landlord) is unique among enacted states. HOA deed restrictions prohibiting these devices are unenforceable. |
| Notable Omissions | The smart meter requirement may exclude some older buildings. The tenant notice provision gives landlords the ability to impose reasonable restrictions, which could include requiring a licensed electrician. |
What You Can Do
Install up to 1,200W without Green Mountain Power or other utility approval or permits (effective July 1, 2026). Tenants must give 10 days written notice to landlord before installing. If landlord does not respond within 10 days, tenant may proceed.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Cannot install if you already have a net metering system. Devices must be connected to smart meters. Landlords may impose reasonable restrictions (including requiring a licensed electrician) within 10 days of tenant notice. Excess generation fed back into the grid is not compensated.
Available Rebates & Incentives
Vermont exempts solar systems from state sales tax (6%) and property tax. Green Mountain Power offers battery incentive programs. Net metering available through Vermont utilities. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- Vermont Net Metering — PUC — Earn credits for excess solar generation sent to the grid.
- Vermont Solar Sales Tax Exemption — DSIRE — 6% state sales tax exempted on solar panel systems and installation.
- Vermont Solar Property Tax Exemption — Solar system value excluded from property tax assessment.
- DSIRE — Vermont Solar Incentives — Full list of Vermont state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 648,493 |
| Total Households | 273,416 |
| Owner-Occupied | 200,168 |
| Renter-Occupied | 73,248 |
| Single-Family Homes | 229,925 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 36,618 |
| Median Household Income | $81,203 |
| Median Home Value | $316,600 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.79 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 20° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1079 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | April–September |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Green Mountain Power | ~275,000 customers | Yes |
| Vermont Electric Cooperative | ~33,000 customers | Yes |
| Burlington Electric Department | ~21,490 customers | Yes |
| Washington Electric Cooperative | ~10,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Behind the Bill: How Vermont Made Plug-In Solar Simple for Consumers — PlugInSolarUS (July 2026)
- Vermont S. 202 — Vermont Legislature Bill Status — Vermont Legislature (June 16, 2026)
- Balcony solar bills in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, and Illinois look on track to pass — Canary Media (February 2026)
- Plug-in solar bills surge across US states — Canary Media (February 2026)