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

Bill Text

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VT LEG #385163 v.1
H.598 1
Introduced by Representative James of Manchester 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Public service; energy; renewable energy; solar energy; portable solar 5
energy generation devices 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow portable 7
solar energy generation devices to be installed without a certificate of public 8
good. 9
An act relating to portable solar energy generation devices 10
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11
Sec. 1. 30 V.S.A. § 201 is amended to read: 12
§ 201. DEFINITIONS 13
As used in this chapter: 14
* * * 15
(9) “Portable solar energy generation device” means a movable 16
photovoltaic generation device that: 17
(A) has a maximum power output to the electric grid of not more 18
than 1,200 watts; 19

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(B) is designed to be connected to a building’s electrical system via 1
an electrical cord plugged into a receptacle; 2
(C) is intended primarily to offset part of the customer’s electricity 3
consumption; 4
(D) includes a feature that prevents the system from energizing the 5
building’s electrical system during a power outage; 6
(E) is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent 7
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for use in the United States; and 8
(F) is connected to a building that is connected to the electric grid. 9
Sec. 2. 30 V.S.A. § 256 is added to read: 10
§ 256. PORTABLE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION DEVICES 11
(a) The installation of a portable solar energy generation device shall not be 12
required to comply with the requirements of section 248 of this chapter or be 13
required to obtain an interconnection agreement with an electric distribution 14
company. 15
(b) On or before September 10, 2026, the Public Utility Commission, in 16
consultation with the Division of Fire Safety and the electric distribution 17
companies, shall develop a simple notification form for customers who install 18
portable solar energy devices, which shall, at a minimum, include the name of 19
the customer and contact information, the address of installation, the 20
customer’s electric utility, and the meter number. The form shall be available 21

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in an online version and a printable version. An electric distribution company 1
may require customers to submit the notification form to the company after 2
installation of the device. 3
(c) An electric distribution company shall not require a customer using a 4
portable solar energy generation device to: 5
(1) obtain the company’s approval before installing or using the device; 6
(2) pay any fee or charge related to the device; or 7
(3) install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is 8
integrated into the device. 9
(d) A portable solar energy generation device shall not be eligible for net 10
metering. 11
(e) A portable solar energy device in a public building, as defined in 20 12
V.S.A. § 2730, shall be used in a manner that complies with all applicable 13
requirements of the most recent Fire and Building Safety Code adopted by the 14
Division of Fire Safety. 15
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 16
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 17