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SB 540 · 2026 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Plug-in solar panel rules

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to plug-in solar generation systems.

Defines and permits plug-in solar generation systems up to 1,200 watts AC per metered customer, exempts compliant systems from utility interconnection review and related fees, and requires certification to national safety standards and compliance with the state building code.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

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.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“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.”
RSA 362-A:10
“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.”
RSA 155-A:16
“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.”
RSA 374:1-b
“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.”
RSA 362-A:10

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Howard PearlRVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRChair· Energy and Natural Resources
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

89 signed in online · 36 wrote testimony

99% support0% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Balcony solar is a consumer oriented concept that will save NH ratepayers money on a monthly basis on their electric bills, A vote on behalf of helping NH citizens with a bit of rate relief is a positive step in support of affordability during these challenging times.…”
— Rob Werner, Concord · League of Conservation Voterssupports
“I’m a constituent from Manchester, and I’m writing to ask for your support on SB449, SB538, and SB540. These bills will help lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy, and support local investment in our communities.…”
— Stephen Meno, Manchestersupports
“NH citizens need reliable, clean, locally produced energy and we need it yesterday. This bill encourages citizens to invest in cheaper, less polluting energy systems. It not only benefits those who invest, it benefits everyone.”
— Gerald Beck, Holdernesssupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:36:54–1:43:106m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0511s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0511s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0511s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 6, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy6:02:27–6:03:2255slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Science, Technology and Energy4:24:05–4:26:332m 28slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1452h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:59:11–5:07:478m 36slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1452h — adopted, division 293-43; Amendment # 2026-1452h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor19:42–20:2947slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2020e — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2020e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 46
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0511s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0511s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0511s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Science, Technology and Energy HJ 8 P. 114
  9. Apr 6, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/06/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  10. Apr 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/13/2026 09:00 am GP 229
  11. Apr 13, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1452h (NT) 04/13/2026 (Vote 16-1; RC)
  12. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1452h: AA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 71
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1452h: MA DV 293-43 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  15. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  16. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  17. May 7, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  18. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2020e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 37
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2020e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  21. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  22. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 262
  23. Jul 9, 2026SenI. Section 3 of this act shall take effect as provided in Section 6
  24. Jul 2, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.