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CHAPTER 262
SB 540-FN - FINAL VERSION
02/19/2026 0511s
23Apr2026... 1452h
06/04/2026 2020EBA
2026 SESSION
26-2126
06/05
SENATE BILL
540-FN
AN ACT
relative to plug-in solar generation systems.
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Defines “plug‑in solar generation system,” allows each metered customer one such system with a maximum inverter output of 1,200 watts AC, and exempts compliant systems from utility approval, interconnection review, additional utility‑specified equipment, or related fees.
II. Requires plug-in solar generation systems to be certified to applicable national safety standards and to be installed and operated in accordance with the state building code and manufacturer instructions, and directs the building code review board to amend the state building code once nationally recognized standards for plug-in systems exist.
III. Authorizes the department of energy to adopt rules consistent with ANSI, UL, and IEEE standards, requires the department to maintain consumer information on its website regarding plug-in solar generation systems, and clarifies that electric distribution utilities are not liable for damages arising from customer‑installed systems.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/19/2026 0511s
23Apr2026... 1452h
06/04/2026 2020EBA 26-2126
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to plug-in solar generation systems.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
262:1 New Paragraph; Definitions. Amend RSA 362-A:1-a by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
IV-a. “Plug-in solar generation system” means a movable photovoltaic generation system intended to exclusively offset a portion of a customer’s onsite electric consumption that complies with national standards for interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources and connects to a building’s electrical system through a receptacle or other non-permanent wiring connection.
262:2 New Section; Plug-In Solar Generation Systems; Exemptions; Requirements. Amend RSA 362-A by inserting after section 9 the following new section:
362-A:10 Plug-in Solar Generation Systems; Exemptions; Requirements.
I. Plug-in solar generation systems shall be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet nationally recognized safety standards applicable to distributed energy resources and plug-in
solar generation systems.
II. The applicable electric distribution utility may develop a method for the customer to inform the electric distribution utility of the wattage of the system at the customer’s service address subsequent to installation. Such information shall be for notification purposes only.
III. An electric distribution utility shall not require a customer using a compliant plug-in solar generation system to:
(a) Obtain electric distribution utility approval before installing or using the system;
(b) Complete an interconnection review or obtain an executed interconnection agreement;
(c)
Pay any fee related to the system, except any charges the system incurs through its use; or
(d)
Install additional electric distribution utility-specified controls or equipment beyond those integrated into the system.
IV. Each metered customer shall be allowed a maximum of one plug-in solar generation system with a maximum inverter output of 1,200 watts AC.
V. The department of energy shall establish and maintain a page on its website with relevant information for consumers regarding plug-in solar generation systems, including meter compatibility at the state’s various distribution utilities, potential impacts on electric billing, applicable safety standards and considerations, and any other information the department determines appropriate. Such information shall include notice that connecting unlisted systems or connecting systems in a manner not in accordance with the state building code or manufacturer instructions may affect a customer’s homeowners or renters insurance coverage.
262:3 New Section; Plug-In Solar Generation Systems. Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 15 the following new section:
155-A:16 Plug-In Solar Generation Systems.
I. The building code review board shall amend the state building code to address the building and the building’s electrical system when a plug-in solar generation system is used.
II. Each plug-in solar generation system shall be installed and operated in accordance with the state building code and manufacturer instructions.
262:4 New Section; Liability. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 1-a the following new section:
374:1-b Liability for Plug-In Solar Generation Systems. An electric distribution utility shall not be liable for damage, injury, or compensation or charges arising from a plug-in solar generation system installed or used by a customer. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any cause of action against the manufacturer, installer, or owner of a plug-in solar generation system.
262:5 Rulemaking; Department of Energy; Net Energy Metering. Amend RSA 362-A:9, X(a) to read as follows:
(a) Establish reasonable interconnection requirements for safety, reliability, and power quality as it determines the public interest requires. Such rules shall not exceed applicable test standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) [
or
]
,
Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
, or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics, Inc. (IEEE)
; and
262:6 Contingency. RSA 155-A:16, as inserted by section 3 of this act, shall take effect on the date the commissioner of the department of energy certifies to the director of the office of legislative services and the secretary of state that a nationally recognized standard exists authorizing plug-in solar systems to be safely connected to a building’s electrical system.
262:7 Effective Date.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 6 of this act.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Approved: July 02, 2026
Effective Date:
I. Section 3 effective as provided in section 6
II. Remainder effective January 1, 2027