Energy (Solar) in Vermont

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 17, 2026

H 943: An act relating to municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays

This bill transfers authority for permitting ground-mounted solar arrays from the Public Utility Commission to local municipalities in Vermont. It requires that applicants provide public notice of their applications, including to neighboring landowners, at least 15 days before a public hearing is held. The change directly affects local governments, solar developers, and property owners near proposed solar projects. By moving permitting power to municipalities, the bill aims to give local communities more control over solar development decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 651: An act relating to aesthetics review for new energy projects

This bill eliminates aesthetic considerations from the review process for new energy projects in Vermont. It amends the law requiring the Public Utility Commission to evaluate projects for "undue adverse effect on aesthetics" when issuing a certificate of public good. The change directly affects developers of new energy facilities (like solar or wind projects) and the Commission's approval process. Other factors, such as environmental impact, historic sites, and public health, remain part of the review. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 677: An act relating to primary, secondary, and local importance agricultural soils and solar energy generation

This bill requires solar energy project developers to disclose soil types on proposed sites, specifically detailing the acreage of prime farmland and other agricultural soils affected. It mandates the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to be a required party in all solar facility siting cases before Vermont's Public Utility Commission, ensuring agricultural impacts are formally considered. The bill explicitly states that restricting farming on more than five acres for solar projects would constitute an undue burden, prioritizing agricultural land preservation. This directly affects solar developers planning facilities over 500 kilowatts on agricultural land, requiring them to provide detailed soil impact data during permitting.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation Conservation

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 202: An act relating to plug-in photovoltaic devices

This bill allows homeowners and businesses to install small, portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts, UL-certified, and connected via standard outlets) without needing a special permit or certificate of public good. Instead of full utility interconnection approval, users must submit a simple online or printable notification form to their electric company by September 2026. The bill prohibits utilities from charging fees, requiring approvals, or demanding extra equipment for these devices, and explicitly states they cannot qualify for net metering credits. It directly affects customers installing portable solar units for personal electricity use, simplifying the process while maintaining safety and grid requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Solar Transmission

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 598: An act relating to portable solar energy generation devices

This Vermont bill (H 598) allows residents and businesses to install small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) without needing utility approval or special permits. Instead, users must submit a simple online or printable notification form with basic details (name, address, utility account) to their electric company by September 2026. The devices must plug into standard outlets, include safety features for outages, and cannot be used for net metering. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to portable units meeting specific safety and design standards.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 599: An act relating to substantial change to a net metering system

H 599 simplifies modifications to small solar energy systems by removing the need for new permits if capacity stays under 25 kW. It directly affects Vermont homeowners and small businesses with existing solar installations who want to make minor upgrades (like adding panels) without seeking additional approval. The bill amends Vermont law to state that only changes exceeding 25 kW capacity require a revised "certificate of public good." This reduces administrative steps for small system adjustments while maintaining oversight for larger expansions. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 170: An act relating to net metering rates

This Vermont bill (S 170) freezes the current adjusted net metering rate for renewable energy customers until 2028. It directly affects residential and commercial solar energy users who receive credits for excess electricity sent to the grid. The key provision prohibits the Public Utility Commission from implementing new renewable energy credit adjustors or siting adjustors before the 2028 Biennial Update. This maintains existing billing calculations for solar customers without new rate changes through 2028. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 712: An act relating to the Uniform Capacity Tax and Farm Security Special Fund

This bill increases the annual tax on solar power generation capacity in Vermont from $4 to $16 per kilowatt and redirects half of the new revenue to a newly created Farm Security Special Fund. The fund will provide grants covering up to 50% of uninsured financial losses for farms affected by defined weather events like floods, droughts, or extreme heat. It directly affects solar energy businesses (above 50kW capacity) and Vermont farms experiencing weather-related income loss. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, with grants awarded after consultation with a Farm Security Review Board.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

vetoed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 710: An act relating to defining electricity generating facilities

H 710 clarifies when multiple electricity-generating facilities (like wind turbines or solar arrays) count as a single "plant" for regulatory purposes in Vermont. It states that facilities using the same technology (e.g., wind or solar) on the same or adjacent land parcels will be treated as one plant, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions cover individual net-metering systems (not on the same parcel), multi-owner projects on shared community land, or colocation of certain renewable energy programs with separate grid connections. The bill directly affects utility companies, renewable energy developers, and property owners managing multiple generating facilities, streamlining how the Public Utility Commission reviews projects. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 716: An act relating to the net metering formula

This bill (H.716) changes Vermont's net metering rules for solar energy customers. It freezes the "negative adjustor" at a maximum of -$0.04 per kWh for excess solar electricity sent back to the grid and eliminates any adjustor for electricity used directly on-site ("behind-the-meter"). These changes directly affect residential and commercial solar customers who generate more power than they use. The policy takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring solar customers receive clearer, more predictable credit calculations for their excess energy.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

All energy bills