In this guide
Short answer: yes. Since July 1, 2026, Vermont's Act 149 (S.202) lets you plug UL 3700-certified solar devices with a combined inverter capacity of up to 1,200 W per meter into a receptacle, with no utility approval or fees. Exports aren't paid, you can't combine it with net-metered solar, and renters must give their landlord 10 days' notice.
- Status
- Legal, in force
- Law
- Act 149 of 2026 (S.202), 30 V.S.A. § 256
- Maximum output
- 1,200 W combined per electric meter
- In effect since
- July 1, 2026 (signed June 16, 2026)
- Certification
- UL 3700 plus IEEE 1547-2018 settings
- Net metering
- No; exports not compensated
Vermont's law is unusually precise. It covers the equipment, the utility, tenants, deed covenants and even local zoning. For the rest of the country, see the 50-state map.
What counts as a plug-in device in Vermont
Act 149 defines a plug-in photovoltaic device as a solar unit that:
- connects to the building's electrical system through a cord plugged into a receptacle;
- can't energize the building's wiring during an outage;
- is certified to UL 3700 by UL Solutions or an equivalent recognized US lab, and runs under IEEE 1547-2018 with the default grid settings;
- is connected to a building that is on the grid.
You may install one or more devices per meter, as long as the combined inverter capacity is 1,200 W or less. Devices must be attached "temporarily but securely" to the ground or a structure, and may only be connected where the building has a smart meter.
Vermont is stricter than Utah or Maryland on certification: a microinverter listed only to UL 1741 doesn't qualify. See UL 3700 explained for the products announced so far.
What your utility can and can't do
- It can't require approval before you install or use a compliant device.
- It can't charge an installation fee or require controls or equipment beyond what the device includes.
- No interconnection agreement and no Public Utility Commission review apply.
- It can recover costs if your device overloads its service equipment.
This applies to Green Mountain Power, Vermont Electric Co-op, Burlington Electric and the other distribution utilities.
No net metering, and not alongside it
Plug-in devices aren't eligible for net metering, and the utility doesn't pay for power they export. If your home already has a net-metered rooftop system, the law says you can't also install a plug-in device. Size your kit so you use most of its output; see which size you need.
Renters: the 10-day notice
- Give your landlord at least 10 days' notice before installing a compliant device.
- Within those 10 days, the landlord can respond with reasonable restrictions, for example requiring that any electrical work be done by a licensed electrician at your expense.
- If the landlord doesn't respond in 10 days, you may go ahead.
- You may not do or hire electrical work without permission, and the landlord can't be required to do or pay for it.
Our landlord letter template works as the notice: add the device's certification and where it will go.
Deeds, condos and zoning
Act 149 extends Vermont's solar rights law: deed restrictions and covenants can't bar plug-in devices, and the existing exception for condominium, co-op and apartment patio railings doesn't apply to them. Local zoning bylaws can't regulate their installation or use. Devices in public buildings must follow the state fire and building safety code.
How much a kit saves in Vermont
Vermont's average residential price was about 24 cents per kWh in July 2026 (EIA).
| Setup | Produced per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~300 kWh | ~$68 |
| 800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~600 kWh | ~$115 |
| 800 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~960 kWh | ~$182 |
| 1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,440 kWh | ~$222 |
Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 23.8¢/kWh. Try your numbers with the calculator, preset for Vermont.
Frequently asked questions
Is balcony solar legal in Vermont?
Yes. Act 149 of 2026 (bill S.202) was signed on June 16, 2026, and took effect on July 1, 2026. It allows plug-in photovoltaic devices with a combined inverter capacity of up to 1,200 W per electric meter.
What certification does Vermont require?
The device must be certified to UL 3700 by UL Solutions or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory, and installed and operated under IEEE 1547-2018 using default grid settings. It must also be unable to energize the building's wiring during an outage.
Can I use plug-in solar if I already have net-metered rooftop solar in Vermont?
No. Act 149 says a customer with a net metering system can't also install a plug-in device on that account, and plug-in devices aren't eligible for net metering. Exported power isn't compensated.
Can my Vermont landlord say no to balcony solar?
You must give your landlord at least 10 days' notice. Within those 10 days the landlord can respond with reasonable restrictions, such as requiring a licensed electrician paid by you. If the landlord doesn't respond, you may proceed. You may not do or hire electrical work without the landlord's permission.
Does Green Mountain Power have to approve my plug-in solar?
No. The utility can't require approval, charge an installation fee or require extra equipment for a compliant device. It can recover costs if your device overloads its service equipment. Devices may only be connected where there is a smart meter, which nearly all Vermont homes have.
Update log
- Page published. Checked against Act 149 as enacted.
Sources and official texts