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Is plug-in solar legal in Vermont?
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Signed
- In effect (2026-07-01)
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Plug a certified kit of up to 1,200 W into a standard outlet without a utility interconnection agreement.
- Skip utility paperwork entirely; no application, fee or approval.
- Point to the law if a landlord or HOA tries an outright ban: Tenant 10-day notice, landlord 10-day response with reasonable restrictions; zoning bylaws may not regulate; covenants may not prohibit (incl. patio railings).
✕ Not yet / not allowed
- Get paid for power you export; size the kit to your daytime use.
- Use an uncertified marketplace inverter; it is outside the law and unsafe.
What the rules say
Vermont's Act 149 has been in force since July 1, 2026: up to 1,200 W of combined inverter capacity per meter, UL 3700 (or equivalent) certified, smart-meter customers only, with no utility approval. Exports are not compensated and net-metering customers cannot add a device. Tenants give 10 days' notice; covenants cannot prohibit it.
Before you plug in: Vermont checklist
- Keep the system at or under 1,200 W of inverter output.
- Buy a kit whose certification matches the law (UL 3700 or equivalent). Check the label, not the marketing copy.
- No utility notice or approval is needed. Keep the receipt and certification in case your utility asks.
- Renting or in an HOA? Tenant 10-day notice, landlord 10-day response with reasonable restrictions; zoning bylaws may not regulate; covenants may not prohibit (incl. patio railings).
- Plug into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip, and keep shared-circuit kits under about 400 W.
The rules in detail
| Law | S.202: Act 149, plug-in photovoltaic devices |
|---|---|
| Signed | June 16, 2026 |
| Effective | July 1, 2026 |
| Max system size | 1,200 W |
| Certification | UL 3700 or equivalent NRTL certification; installed/operated per IEEE 1547-2018 with regional default settings; anti-islanding. |
| Utility notice / approval | None. |
| Permit / electrician | Public buildings must comply with Fire and Building Safety Code; tenant may not do electrical work without landlord permission. |
| Exported power | Not eligible for net metering; NEM customers may not also install; exports not compensated. |
| Renters & HOAs | Tenant 10-day notice, landlord 10-day response with reasonable restrictions; zoning bylaws may not regulate; covenants may not prohibit (incl. patio railings). |
| Avg. electricity price | 23.75¢ per kWh |
- Sponsor: Sen. Anne Watson (+10 Senate cosponsors).
- Outlet / circuit: electrical cord plugged into a receptacle.
- Utility liability: no utility shield; utility may recover costs of service overloading (256(d)).
Legislative background
- GMP stance not reported.
Savings preview: 800 W kit in Vermont
Adjust for your setup →≈ $190/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont has a plug-in solar law in force allowing systems up to 1,200 W (S.202).
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in Vermont?
Not required by the law. The statute says: Public buildings must comply with Fire and Building Safety Code; tenant may not do electrical work without landlord permission. A dedicated circuit is still a sensible safety practice.
Do I have to tell my utility in Vermont?
No. None.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in Vermont?
Roughly 800 kWh and about $190 per year at Vermont's average residential rate of 23.75¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.
Can my landlord or HOA stop me in Vermont?
Tenant 10-day notice, landlord 10-day response with reasonable restrictions; zoning bylaws may not regulate; covenants may not prohibit (incl. patio railings).