Plug-in solar in Vermont
Law in effect Checked November 10, 2026
Vermont's law took effect July 1, 2026. You may plug in devices with a combined inverter capacity of up to 1,200 watts per meter, but only if the device is certified to UL 3700 and your home has a smart meter. Power you send to the grid is not paid for, and net-metering customers cannot also use one.
Effective date: July 1, 2026
The law
| Bill | Stage | Last action | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.202 An act relating to plug-in photovoltaic devices Act 149 of 2026 | Signed into law | Signed by Governor (Act 149) (June 16, 2026) | Signed: June 16, 2026 Effective: July 1, 2026 |
The rules
| Rule | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size (output) | 1,200 W One or more devices per electric meter with a maximum combined inverter capacity of not more than 1,200 watts (30 V.S.A. 256(a)). | Source |
| Panel (DC) limit | No limit set The cap is on combined inverter capacity. | Source |
| Plug-in batteries | Not mentioned in the law The act does not mention batteries. | Source |
| Tell your utility? | No No utility notice is required; the utility may not require approval, fees or extra equipment (256(c)). It may recover costs if the device overloads the service (256(d)). | Source |
| Utility approval needed? | No An electric distribution company shall not require approval before installing or using the device (256(c)(1)). | Source |
| Renters and landlords | Tenant protections A tenant must give the landlord at least 10 days' notice. The landlord may respond within 10 days with reasonable restrictions, such as requiring a licensed electrician at the tenant's cost; if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may proceed (256(g)). | Source |
| HOAs and condo associations | Bans limited Deed restrictions and covenants may not prohibit plug-in devices on or appurtenant to buildings, and the patio-railing exception does not apply to them (27 V.S.A. 544). | Source |
| Safety certification required | UL 3700 (or comparable) Device must comply with UL 3700 (or an equivalent certification by an equivalent NRTL) and IEEE 1547-2018 (30 V.S.A. 201(9)(C)). It may only be connected where the building has a smart meter (256(a)). | Source |
| Net metering | Excluded Net metering customers may not also install a device; devices are not eligible for net metering and exports are not compensated (256(e)). | Source |
What's next
The UL 3700 requirement means few products qualify today. Check whether a kit's whole system, not just its inverter, carries the certification.
Kits in Vermont
| Kit | AC output | UL 3700 | Fit in Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|
| APsystems EZ1-LV plug-in microinverter | 900 W | Certified (certificate seen), component only | Component certificate only: check with seller certificate |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-391-1WM-LV | 391 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-420-1WM-LV | 420 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 180 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 180 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 360 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 360 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 400W Rigid Solar Panels | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | 800 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 700 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 1200 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 1,050 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
What these labels mean
- Component certificate only: check with seller
- This state requires UL 3700 (or complete-system certification). The certificate we have seen covers only one part, such as the inverter, so ask the seller whether the complete kit is certified.
- UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen
- The maker says the product meets UL 3700, but we have not seen a certificate.
- Not certified
- The maker or seller says it is not certified to the standard this state requires.
- No certification evidence found
- We found no certificate and no claim for the certification this state requires.
What could it save?
For an 800 W panel kit at Vermont's average residential price of 23.9¢/kWh (September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months)):
- Ideal tilt (20°, south)
- 962 kWh a year: about $159 typical (69% used at home), up to $230 best case (100%)
- Vertical railing (90°, south)
- 722 kWh a year: about $119 typical (69% used at home), up to $173 best case (100%)
"Typical" uses HTW Berlin's model for an 800 W system without a battery; exports are assumed to earn nothing. Solar data: NREL PVWatts for Montpelier (capital). Try your own numbers · Is it worth it? · Railing vs tilted
Price source: EIA residential average, September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months).
Questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont's law took effect July 1, 2026. You may plug in devices with a combined inverter capacity of up to 1,200 watts per meter, but only if the device is certified to UL 3700 and your home has a smart meter. Power you send to the grid is not paid for, and net-metering customers cannot also use one.
How big can a plug-in solar system be in Vermont?
One or more devices per electric meter with a maximum combined inverter capacity of not more than 1,200 watts (30 V.S.A. 256(a)).
Do I have to tell my utility in Vermont?
No. No utility notice is required; the utility may not require approval, fees or extra equipment (256(c)). It may recover costs if the device overloads the service (256(d)).
Can my landlord stop me from using plug-in solar in Vermont?
A tenant must give the landlord at least 10 days' notice. The landlord may respond within 10 days with reasonable restrictions, such as requiring a licensed electrician at the tenant's cost; if the landlord does not respond, the tenant may proceed (256(g)).
What certification does a kit need in Vermont?
Device must comply with UL 3700 (or an equivalent certification by an equivalent NRTL) and IEEE 1547-2018 (30 V.S.A. 201(9)(C)). It may only be connected where the building has a smart meter (256(a)).
Which kits are confirmed to qualify in Vermont?
None yet. We have not seen a certificate covering a complete kit, so no kit is marked compatible in Vermont.
Neighbouring states
- Massachusetts: Bill active
- New Hampshire: Signed — details being verified
- New York: Bill active
Related: is it worth it? · railing vs tilted panels · renters guide · all kits · Certification watch · how we verify
Sources
- Vermont General Assembly: S.202 (Act 149) bill status (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Act 149 (2026) As Enacted, An act relating to plug-in photovoltaic devices (Law text; accessed November 10, 2026)
This page is general information, not legal or electrical advice. Laws change and utilities differ. Check the linked official sources, your lease or HOA rules, and your utility before you buy or install anything. Full disclaimer.