Plug-In Solar in Vermont
Yes. In Vermont, you may plug in solar kits of no more than 1,200 watts per meter, with no utility approval and no fees. Such kits earn no net metering credit. Renters must notify landlords.
- Legal in Vermont todayS.202
- 1,200 W max. That cap applies per home.
- 23.9 centsEIA's average home price per kWh, from Jan to Aug 2026.
- $241 each year.In Burlington, an 800 W kit, with no utility solar fee applied yet.
Before connecting in Vermont, choose a kit no larger than 1,200 W. Its inverter must cut power if the grid goes down, and it needs a UL 3700 listing or an equal one.
What the Vermont Law Says
Signed on Jun 16, 2026, S.202 takes effect on Jul 1, 2026. The bill is Act No. 149 (2026).
Size is 1,200 W.
Safety listing: The system needs the UL 3700 standard (UL Solutions) for plug-in photovoltaic systems, or an equivalent NRTL certification. It must be installed and operated per IEEE 1547-2018, and it must have a feature that stops the building's wiring from being energized during a power outage.
Utility approval: none is needed. The utility may not require approval before you install or use the device. No interconnection agreement is needed, no section 248 certificate is needed, and PUC jurisdiction does not apply.
Telling the utility: No notice step is set by the law.
Fees: The utility can't charge any fee connected with installing the device, and it can't require extra controls or equipment. But if the device overloads the service, it may recover those costs.
Renters and landlords: The landlord must receive at least 10 days' notice from the tenant. Within 10 days, the landlord can set reasonable restrictions, such as covering the cost of electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician. If no answer comes, the tenant may install. Without permission, tenants may not do electrical work, and landlords are never required to pay for it.
HOAs: Plug-in devices on buildings, or attached to them, can't be barred by deed restrictions or covenants. For condos, co-ops and apartments, that patio railing exception covers no plug-in devices. No town zoning bylaw may regulate plug-in devices.
Net metering: no eligibility. If you're on net metering, you may not also add a plug-in device. Exported power from a plug-in device isn't paid for.
- You may install one or more devices per meter when their inverter capacity adds up to 1,200 W or less.
- A home needs a smart meter before you can connect any devices.
- The device must be attached temporarily but securely to the ground or to a structure, and it must plug into a receptacle by cord.
- Any public building use has to meet the most recent Fire and Building Safety Code.
Bigger Systems and the Rules That Came Before the Law
Hooking up: A regular system of up to 15 kW registers for a Certificate of Public Good for net metering on the PUC's ePUC site. Issues get flagged within 15 days by the utility (for example Green Mountain Power), and the PUC then either issues or denies that certificate.
Net metering: PUC Rule 5.100 covers it. The PUC updates compensation adjustors every two years.
How Much a Kit Saves in Vermont
PVWatts gives each 1 kW of panels in Burlington 1,256 kWh a year. Homes in Vermont pay 23.9 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. For an 800 W kit, results by location:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,005 | $241 |
| Upright on a railing | 633 | $152 |
| Facing east or west | 804 | $192 |
Burlington, Month by Month
- Jan59
- Feb74
- Mar101
- Apr96
- May107
- Jun98
- Jul107
- Aug105
- Sep96
- Oct67
- Nov50
- Dec45
The kWh an 800 W kit makes, tilted to the south.
Kits at or Below 1,200 W
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,482 | $355 | 2.5 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 452 | $108 | 3.8 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,005 | $241 | 4.6 years | $1,099 |
Panels tilted south, with all power used at home. Compare all kits
Vermont Facts Worth Knowing
- Vermont's law is among the few that require the UL 3700 standard by name, and it allows kits only on homes with smart meters.
- No retail choice: in 2024 energy-only providers sold no power, and the average price of 18.41 cents/kWh was 10th highest in the US.
Renting, or Using a Balcony?
The hookup falls under Vermont's law, but the mount does not (the renter rule appears above), so ask your landlord or HOA before you install. Read about balcony solar and solar for apartments.
The Main Utility Providers
- Green Mountain Power
- Vermont Electric Cooperative
- Burlington Electric Department
Next Steps for You in Vermont
- Go with a kit of 1,200 W or less. The listing the law names must be on the kit, and all 7 of the 7 we compared fit that cap. Compare the kits.
- First read the notice rule above. If it applies to you, tell your electric utility. Save the sheet listing the kit's specifications with your records.
- Use a grounded outlet, and plug in on a circuit that has little else attached. Plugging into a power strip isn't allowed.
Sources
- Bill Status S.202 (Act 149)
- Act 149 (S.202) As Enacted
- Interconnecting Customer Generation, Green Mountain Power
- Net-Metering, Vermont Public Utility Commission
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, Vermont 2024
- EIA Vermont Electricity Profile 2024
- Sources: NREL PVWatts, Burlington and EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 price data
Look at every state at a glance, or check a neighbor: New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts.