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Vermont

✓ LegalUpdated July 3, 2026

Plug-In Solar Legal Guide

S.202, sponsored in part by Sen. Anne Watson, passed the Vermont Senate unanimously (29-0) in early February 2026, passed the House in May 2026, and was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026. The law took effect July 1, 2026. It defines a 'portable solar energy generation device' as a movable photovoltaic device with a maximum grid output of 1,200W that plugs into a standard outlet via a cord, includes anti-backfeed protection to prevent energizing the grid during an outage, and is UL-certified (or equivalent). Customers with a smart meter can install these devices — up to 1,200W combined per electric meter — without a Certificate of Public Good or interconnection agreement, and without additional utility fees. The law also bars local bylaws and deed restrictions from prohibiting compliant devices. Vermont followed the model of Utah's HB 340, becoming the second state to specifically legalize plug-in solar.

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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Payback Calculator

Pre-filled with Vermont's average rate ($0.230/kWh) and 4 daily peak sun hours. Adjust sliders to match your situation.

Best-fit kits for Vermont

sorted by your payback period
7yr payback~$2,131 lifetime savings

CraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit

400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter. Fits Vermont's 1,200W cap.

Output
400W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
ETLUL1741
$530~$76/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
7yr payback~$4,420 lifetime savings

US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit

Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking. Under Vermont's 1,200W cap.

Output
810W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 12 yr
UL1741IEEE1547
$969~$138/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
7yr payback~$4,323 lifetime savings

PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit

Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold on Amazon.

Output
800W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
UL1741
$999~$143/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →

Payback estimates use your current slider settings with each product's wattage and price. We earn an affiliate commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Default: 4h/day (Vermont avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W1200W
60%
30%100%
$0.230/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
596 kWh
50 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$137
$11/mo
Payback Period
8 yrs
by year 8
25-Year Savings
$5,322
net $4,122
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Year-by-year table
YearkWh UsedRateSavingsCumulative
1596$0.230$137$137
2593$0.239$142$279
3590$0.249$147$425
4587$0.259$152$577
5584$0.269$157$734
6581$0.280$163$897
7578$0.291$168$1,065
8Paid off575$0.303$174$1,239
9572$0.315$180$1,419
10569$0.327$186$1,606
11567$0.340$193$1,799
12564$0.354$200$1,998
13561$0.368$207$2,205
14558$0.383$214$2,419
15555$0.398$221$2,640
16553$0.414$229$2,869
17550$0.431$237$3,105
18547$0.448$245$3,351
19544$0.466$254$3,604
20542$0.485$262$3,867
21539$0.504$272$4,138
22536$0.524$281$4,419
23533$0.545$291$4,710
24531$0.567$301$5,011
25528$0.590$311$5,322
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Law Summary

S.202S.202 Full Text & Status (legislature.vermont.gov)

Last verified July 3, 2026·Vermont Legislature — Bill Status S.202

Signed
Jun 2026
Effective
Jul 2026
Max size
1200W AC
Rate/kWh
$0.230
Sun hrs
4h/day
Utility
Green Mountain
No permitNo utility approvalNo net meteringITC expired

Verify with your state utility commission before installing. FAQ →

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.189/kWh in 2021 → $0.230/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.189
2021
$0.197
2022
$0.204
2023
$0.213
2024
$0.221
2025
$0.230
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.504/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$2,249
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

HOA & Landlord Rules

The #1 real-world blocker for renters & condo owners
Can my HOA block it?
✓ HOA cannot block installation
Protected under: 27 V.S.A. Section 544 (as amended by S.202)

27 V.S.A. Section 544 prohibits homeowners' association covenants and restrictions from banning solar collectors outright, though reasonable placement restrictions are allowed. S.202 extends this protection by also barring local bylaws and deed restrictions from prohibiting compliant portable/plug-in solar devices, closing the gap left by the original statute, which was written with rooftop collectors in mind.

Can my landlord block it?
✗ Landlord may restrict installation

Vermont has no specific statute granting tenants an affirmative right to install plug-in solar devices on balconies or patios. S.202 focuses on removing utility interconnection barriers rather than landlord-tenant relationships, so renters should still get landlord approval before installing any device, particularly if it involves running cords outside windows or mounting hardware to the building.

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Practical tip for Vermont renters and condo owners: Because plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet — it is in a different legal category from rooftop solar. Many HOAs and landlords have not specifically addressed it in their rules. Ask in writing before assuming either yes or no.
Primary source

Utility: Green Mountain Power

Net metering
✓ Eligible
Interconnection
Required
Stance
Supportive of plug-in solar

Green Mountain Power, Vermont's largest utility, offers net metering up to 500kW under its Self-Generation and Net Metering tariff, with systems under 15kW earning roughly $0.01/kWh (or $0.04/kWh total if renewable energy credits are transferred to the utility). Standard net metering still requires a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Utility Commission and typically a dedicated meter — a formal process not designed for plug-and-play devices. GMP and Vermont's broader policy environment are generally supportive of distributed generation, and S.202 (effective July 1, 2026) removes this interconnection-agreement barrier for small portable systems up to 1,200W.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is plug-in (balcony) solar legal in Vermont?
Yes. S.202 (with companion bill H.598) passed the Vermont Senate unanimously (29-0) in early February 2026, then the House, and was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026. It took effect July 1, 2026, creating a clear legal category for 'portable solar energy generation devices' up to 1,200W that plug into a standard outlet, requiring only UL certification, anti-backfeed protection, and a simple utility notification rather than a formal interconnection agreement. Vermont is the second state, after Utah, to specifically legalize plug-in solar.
What does S.202 allow?
S.202 lets you install a 'portable solar energy generation device' — a movable photovoltaic device up to 1,200W that plugs into a standard outlet — without a Certificate of Public Good or interconnection agreement, as long as it's UL-certified, includes anti-backfeed protection, and your home has a smart meter.
What does S.202 actually change for Vermont residents?
Previously, any grid-tied solar system in Vermont, even a small plug-in one, technically fell under Green Mountain Power's net metering process, which requires a Certificate of Public Good from state regulators. Effective July 1, 2026, S.202 carves out small portable devices (up to 1,200W) from that requirement, letting residents notify their utility and install without the formal application process.
Do I need a permit or utility approval in Vermont?
No. As long as your device meets S.202's requirements (UL certification, anti-backfeed protection, 1,200W combined cap per meter, smart meter), you don't need a Certificate of Public Good, an interconnection agreement, or utility approval.
Can my HOA or landlord block it in Vermont?
HOAs can't ban it outright. 27 V.S.A. Section 544 prohibits HOA covenants from banning solar collectors, and S.202 also bars local bylaws and deed restrictions from prohibiting compliant portable devices, though reasonable placement restrictions are still allowed. Vermont has no specific statute giving renters an affirmative right to install one, so tenants should still get landlord sign-off, especially for anything involving cords or mounting hardware.
Does Green Mountain Power offer net metering for small solar systems?
Yes, GMP's net metering program covers systems up to 500kW, with small systems (under 15kW) earning about $0.01/kWh in bill credits, or up to $0.04/kWh if you transfer your renewable energy credits to GMP. That program still requires a Certificate of Public Good, though — S.202 devices are a separate, zero-export/self-consumption category that don't need or receive net-metering credit at all; they replace the CPG/interconnection-agreement process with a simple utility notification.
How does Vermont's solar potential compare to other states?
Vermont averages around 4.0 peak sun hours per day, lower than sunnier states, but it has among the highest electricity rates in the country (roughly $0.23/kWh), which improves the economics of even modest solar offsets. Combined with S.202's streamlined rules for plug-in devices, Vermont is now one of the most plug-in-solar-friendly states in the Northeast.
Electrical Safety WarningPlug-in solar systems involve electrical connections that can cause fire, shock, or property damage if installed incorrectly. Only use UL-listed equipment. Do not modify wiring, exceed outlet amperage ratings, or bypass any safety device. Consult a licensed electrician when in doubt. This site does not provide installation advice.