Solar Options for Vermonters

Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES)requires electric utilities to support the clean energy transition through procuring new distributed renewable energy or through energy transformation projects (i.e., those that reduce the fossil-fuel consumption of a utility's customers and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with that consumption). 

While incentive levels vary by utility and service territory, utilities continue offering Tier III programs that encourage distributed renewables, load reduction technologies, and home electrification. That is to say, your utility likely has active programs that can reduce the costs associated with making the transition over to solar. For up-to-date information, reference your utility’s website or get in touch with Efficiency Vermont for additional support.

With the enactment of Act 149 (AKA The portable/balcony/plug-in solar bill), there’s now an accessible, affordable option for households previously unable to go solar. These systems are already common in parts of Europe and Asia, where comparatively low costs, beginner-friendly set up, and favorable policies have led to widespread adaptation and lower energy costs. 

At the most basic level, plug-in solar is a small-scale solar power system designed to offset a portion of a household's electricity use. Solar panels generate electricity, which is converted into the type of power used by household appliances through an inverter. Rather than requiring a full rooftop installation, qualifying plug-in solar devices are designed to connect directly to a home's electrical system through a dedicated outlet. It’s that easy. 

And it’s especially attractive to those traditionally excluded from the solar market. Lower prices, easy installation, and specific language in the law itself make plug-in solar a real option for renters, apartment residents, and households that cannot install a conventional rooftop system because of cost, ownership, shading, or structural constraints.

Act 149 removes many of the regulatory requirements that would otherwise apply to small solar systems. Qualifying devices do not require utility approval, interconnection applications, fees, or a Certificate of Public Good. 

That’s not to say that safety isn’t a major consideration. Plug-in solar is a proven technology, and, under Act 149, qualifying plug-in solar devices are limited in wattage and must meet strict safety and net-metering requirements. Eligible systems are limited to a maximum inverter capacity of 1,200 watts per electric meter and must meet national safety and interconnection standards, including UL 3700 and IEEE 1547-2018. These standards ensure basic grid and metering compatibility, and they include required safety features such as automatic shutoff during grid outages. Taken together, they ensure safe deployment, grid reliability, and customer safety without requiring prior utility approval. 

To be clear, plug-in solar is NOT a full replacement for community solar, as it doesn’t provide the same scale and thereby isn’t generating nearly as much electricity. Additionally, plug-in solar devices do not qualify for net metering – the energy you generate goes directly back to you, not to the grid. And with current technological limitations and safety rules, these systems aren’t yet as easy as just buying it and plugging it in – some upfront electrical work will almost certainly be needed. 

However, plug-in solar is still a great step as an accessible pathway for Vermonters to immediately participate in renewable energy and reduce monthly energy costs. Act 149 was designed anticipating that these devices will continue to improve – and we’ll continue watching plug-in technology and the legislation around it as they develop.

For Renters

Renters can install plug-in solar (and legislatures worked hard to make this possible), but it’s a little trickier. The current bill requires tenants to give landlords a 10 day notice before installing a plug-in system. Then, the landlord must respond within 10 days with any “reasonable restrictions.” This can include requiring a licensed electrician and payment for any needed electrical work. Since UL 3700 currently requires a special dedicated receptacle and outlet installation, some electrical work is almost certainly required – meaning that, effectively, landlords can block installation, as they aren’t mandated to approve that electrical work.  

So, while a landlord can not outright prohibit installation, they can block it for legitimate electrical concerns. But if the technology continues to improve to the point where it’s actually plug-and-play (i.e., buy the unit, plug it in, and you’re done), there is NO provision for landlords to block installation.

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (or C-PACE for those trying to avoid that mouthful) is a financing tool that allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofit, and multifamily property owners to access private capital for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and climate resilience projects. 

C-PACE is tried and tested. Already, over 40 other states have implemented C-PACE programs and have generated billions of dollars of low-cost, private financing towards clean energy and energy efficiency measures. 

Vermont passed their C-PACE legislation in 2026 within S.327, a broader economic development bill. The legislation allows municipalities to set up C-PACE programs, makes participation for all parties voluntary, and allows individual property owners access to private capital – because instead of taxpayer funded subsidies or appropriations, C-PACE creates a financing mechanism to unlock private-sector investment  

Eligible projects may include solar installations, energy-efficiency upgrades, building electrification projects, water conservation improvements, flood mitigation and resilience investments, backup power systems, and qualifying energy-related improvements associated with new construction. And, as opposed to a traditional loan, financing is repaid through a voluntary assessment attached to the property and collected alongside property taxes. If a property is sold, the repayment obligation stays with the property rather than the original owner.

To sum it all up, key features of C-PACE in Vermont include:

• Voluntary participation by municipalities and property owners

• Financing provided by private capital providers rather than taxpayers

• Required consent from existing mortgage holders

• Eligibility for renewable energy, efficiency, resilience, and water-conservation improvements

• Long-term financing designed to improve project feasibility

Stay tuned on the VNRC and VECAN website and socials for additional updates as C-PACE begins to roll out this summer!