VermontVermont law exempts qualifying plug-in solar devices from utility approvals
Starting July 1, 2026, qualifying plug-in solar devices need no certificate of public good or utility connection agreement, while appliance rules use federal lists dated January 19, 2025.
What it does
Qualifying plug-in solar devices do not need a certificate of public good or a utility connection agreement. The devices must meet statutory requirements.
Vermont's appliance efficiency rules use federal product lists as they stood on January 19, 2025. The rules direct the Public Service Commissioner to include those products.
Argument forPeople with qualifying plug-in solar devices may avoid getting a public-good certificate or utility connection agreement, making these devices easier to use.
Argument againstUtilities may have less information about qualifying plug-in solar devices because those devices do not need a utility connection agreement.
More detail
The law exempts qualifying plug-in solar devices from needing a certificate of public good or a utility connection agreement. The exemption applies to plug-in photovoltaic devices, which generate electricity from sunlight. Devices must meet the requirements set by statute. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
The law uses January 19, 2025, as the date for identifying federal products covered by Vermont's appliance efficiency rules. This applies to products on the federal appliance efficiency lists used in Vermont's appliance efficiency rules. The federal lists are those in 10 C.F.R. §§ 430 and 431. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Senate Message: Signed by Governor Phil Scott June 16, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026To Governor
- May 26Senate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 26Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 26As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- May 26House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 26House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, textMinor
- May 26Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 26House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 26Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 22House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment, with further proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 20Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. James of ManchesterMinor
- May 20Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 20, 2026
- May 19Rep. James of Manchester moved to postpone action until May 20, 2026, which was agreed to
- May 19Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 18Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 15Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment theretoMinor
- May 14House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment as moved by Senator(s) Watson, Beck, Bongartz, Hardy, and WilliamsMinor
- May 14House proposal of amendment; textMinor
- May 14Unfinished Business/House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 13Unfinished Business/House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 12House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 8House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 8Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 8House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
- May 6Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 6Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- May 5Third Reading orderedMinor
- May 5Report of Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure agreed to
- May 5Rep. Morrow of Weston reported for the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure
- May 5Read second timeMinor
- May 5Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 1Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 3Read first time and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital InfrastructureMinor
- Jan 29Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Jan 29New Business/Senate Resolution for Adoption
- Jan 29New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Jan 28Roll Call, Requested by Sen. White
- Vote recorded 3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 0. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 283rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 0
- Jan 28Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed to
- Jan 28Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Jan 28Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Jan 28New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 27Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Jan 27Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 6Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyIntroduced
Environment & Energy