What the law says
SB 540 was signed by the Governor on July 2, 2026 as Chapter 262. Its final version says the act takes effect on January 1, 2027, except a building code section that waits until the Department of Energy certifies that a national standard for safe connection exists.
Each metered customer may have one plug-in solar generation system with a maximum inverter output of 1,200 W AC. The system must be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to national safety standards for distributed energy resources and plug-in systems, and be installed and used under the state building code and the maker’s instructions.
A utility may not require its approval, an interconnection review or agreement, a fee related to the system other than charges for its use, or extra equipment. It may set up a way for customers to report the system’s wattage after installation, for notification only. The law does not address renters, HOAs or payment for exports; the Bright Saver tracker adds that qualifying systems need no permit.
- Bill: SB 540, Chapter 262; signed July 2, 2026; takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Size: one system per metered customer, up to 1,200 W AC of inverter output.
- Utility: no approval, interconnection review or fees; an optional wattage report after installation.
- Liability: the utility is not liable for damage or injury from a customer’s system.
Before you buy in New Hampshire
Check the utility, your landlord or your HOA before you install a plug-in kit. Bright Saver reports the law does not require a landlord's permission and says no permit or utility approval is needed for qualifying devices, but customers should confirm how their particular utility and building handle small photovoltaic equipment.
Check the product label and the seller's specifications for safety certifications. Some kits in the market list UL 1741 or similar interconnection standards; for example, EcoFlow kits name UL 1741 and Mango Power lists CA Rule 21 (UL 1741-SA) and IEEE 1547:2018 (UL 1741-SB). The EcoFlow listings show UL 3700 status as not published.
Use the calculator numbers for local production and the kit cards to compare models. The calculator gives production and savings for an 800 W kit at the state population center: mounted vertically, south-facing, it produces 716 kWh a year, with 417 kWh (58%) used at home and $112 a year saved at 26.79 cents per kWh (exports paid 0). Tilted 30° facing south the same 800 W kit produces 1,026 kWh and saves $134 a year.
- Confirm whether the utility requires notification for your specific connection.
- Ask your landlord or HOA about property rules even if the law reports no landlord permission required.
- Check certification claims on the product page and label (UL 1741, UL 3700 status where published).
- Kits that fit the 1,200 W cap include: EcoFlow 400 W and 800 W listings and the Mango Power 1,200 W kit (prices checked October 14, 2026).
