Is Plug-In Solar Legal in Vermont?

Q: Is plug-in solar legal in Vermont?

Yes. Vermont's S.202 was signed by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026, making Vermont the 7th U.S. state to legalize plug-in (balcony) solar, and its plug-in provisions took effect July 1, 2026. Customers can use plug-in solar devices up to a combined 1,200W per electric meter with equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, without an interconnection agreement or extra utility fees. Average residential electricity rate is around 21¢/kWh.

Q: Do I need utility permission in Vermont?

Under S.202 (effective July 1, 2026), no certificate of public good, interconnection agreement, or extra utility fees are required for compliant plug-in devices up to a combined 1,200W per electric meter. Use certified (UL or equivalent) equipment, and check any smart-meter requirement with your utility — for most Vermonters that's Green Mountain Power.

Legal — signed (S.202, effective Jul 1, 2026) Avg rate ~21¢/kWh Updated: July 2, 2026

Last verified: July 2, 2026 · source data

Quick answer: Yes. Vermont’s S.202 was signed by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026, making Vermont the 7th U.S. state to legalize plug-in (balcony) solar, and its plug-in provisions took effect July 1, 2026. Customers can use plug-in solar devices up to a combined 1,200W per electric meter with equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, without an interconnection agreement or extra utility fees. Average residential electricity rate is around 21¢/kWh.

Thinking about installing? See our best plug-in solar kits for 2026 and estimate your yearly savings.

Vermont’s S.202 (“an act relating to plug-in photovoltaic devices”) was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026 — making Vermont the 7th U.S. state to legalize plug-in / balcony solar — and its plug-in provisions took effect on July 1, 2026. The law allows plug-in solar devices up to a combined 1,200 watts per electric meter, using equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (UL or equivalent), without a certificate of public good, an interconnection agreement, or extra utility fees. In practice: choose a certified (UL 3700 pathway) kit, stay within the 1,200W cap, and check any smart-meter requirement with your utility — in Vermont residential power mostly comes from Green Mountain Power. With roughly average electricity prices, a plug-in kit delivers steady savings and a typical payback in the mid-single-digit years. Correction (July 2, 2026): an earlier version of this page said S.202 was still awaiting signature; the Governor’s office confirms it was signed on June 16, 2026.

Before you buy in Vermont

Since July 1, 2026 you don’t need utility approval for a compliant device, but do two quick checks: (1) confirm with your utility (e.g. Green Mountain Power) whether your meter meets the law’s smart-meter condition, and (2) make sure the kit is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (UL or equivalent) and your total stays within the 1,200W-per-meter cap.

Then estimate your numbers with our savings calculator (pre-loaded with Vermont's rate).

Ready to start? Compare the top kits for your home in our Best balcony solar kits 2026 guide →

Nearby states: New York · New Hampshire · Massachusetts · see the full 50-state tracker.

Status last reviewed 2026-07-02. Status: S.202 signed by Gov. Phil Scott on June 16, 2026 (source: Governor’s office); plug-in solar provisions effective July 1, 2026 — up to 1,200W per electric meter with certified equipment, no interconnection agreement or extra fees. Plug-in solar law is evolving quickly — verify current Vermont rules and your utility's policy directly. Informational, not legal advice.