Is balcony (plug-in) solar legal in Vermont?
State law: yes. Act 149 (S.202, 2026) covers plug-in (balcony) solar in Vermont, in force since Jul 1, 2026. Limits and conditions are below.
Vermont law
LegalState law: plug-in solar is legal here.
- In force since
- Jul 1, 2026
- Size cap
- 1,200 W (combined inverter capacity per electric meter)
- Law
- Act 149 (S.202, 2026)
- Progress
- Signed on Jun 16, 2026.
- Certification
- UL 3700 or equivalent NRTL, and IEEE 1547-2018
- Landlord
- Tenant gives at least 10 days' notice. The landlord shall respond within 10 days with any reasonable restrictions, including requiring the tenant to pay for any electrical work and to hire a licensed electrician. If the landlord doesn't respond within 10 days, the tenant may go ahead. No electrical work without the landlord's permission, and the landlord can't be made to do or pay for it (30 V.S.A. § 256(g)). Renting? Landlord and HOA rules by state →
- HOA
- Deed restrictions and covenants can't prohibit a plug-in device on or appurtenant to a building (27 V.S.A. § 544(a)). The exception for patio railings in condos, co-ops and apartments doesn't apply to plug-in devices (§ 544(c)). Towns can't regulate them by bylaw (24 V.S.A. § 4413(g)).
- Tell your utility?
- No approval, fee or extra equipment. Must be connected to a smart meter.
- Export credit
- None — export 'shall not be compensated'; not eligible for net metering.
More about plug-in solar in Vermont
How big a plug-in solar kit is allowed in Vermont?
State law: up to 1,200 W (combined inverter capacity per electric meter).
What certification does a kit need in Vermont?
State law: UL 3700 or equivalent NRTL, and IEEE 1547-2018. How to check a kit →
Do I need to tell my utility in Vermont?
State law: No approval, fee or extra equipment. Must be connected to a smart meter.
Can a landlord or HOA stop plug-in solar in Vermont?
State law. Landlords: Tenant gives at least 10 days' notice. The landlord shall respond within 10 days with any reasonable restrictions, including requiring the tenant to pay for any electrical work and to hire a licensed electrician. If the landlord doesn't respond within 10 days, the tenant may go ahead. No electrical work without the landlord's permission, and the landlord can't be made to do or pay for it (30 V.S.A. § 256(g)). HOAs: Deed restrictions and covenants can't prohibit a plug-in device on or appurtenant to a building (27 V.S.A. § 544(a)). The exception for patio railings in condos, co-ops and apartments doesn't apply to plug-in devices (§ 544(c)). Towns can't regulate them by bylaw (24 V.S.A. § 4413(g)).
Do I get paid for power a plug-in kit sends to the grid in Vermont?
State law: None — export 'shall not be compensated'; not eligible for net metering.
How much would a plug-in solar kit save in Vermont?
It depends on which way the panels face, their tilt, how much of the power your home uses as it is made, and your utility's rate. The average residential electricity price in Vermont was 23.9¢/kWh (our 12-month average of EIA data, Aug 2025–Jul 2026). The calculator on canipluginsolar.com models it hour by hour for your address.
Before you buy a kit in Vermont
Neighboring states
Planning a kit in Vermont? Get your step-by-step checklist, from the law's own wording.
Renting in Vermont? Write a letter to your landlord, matched to Vermont's rules.
Guides: Renting? What each state's plug-in solar law says about landlords and HOAs
A federal bill (H.R. 10851) would also require every state to consider plug-in rules; Vermont already has its own law. H.R. 10851 on congress.gov.