Bill Text: NH SB540 | 2026 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to plug-in solar generation systems.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-3)
Status: (Enrolled) 2026-06-17 - Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 House Journal 15 [SB540 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2026-SB540-Amended.html
SB 540-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
02/19/2026 0511s
2026 SESSION
26-2126
06/05
SENATE BILL 540-FN
AN ACT relative to portable solar generation devices.
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 “portable solar generation device” and exempts them from interconnection requirements and net metering.
II. Requires compliance with state building code and manufacturer instructions, directs the building code review board to update codes for portable solar devices, and limits electric distribution utility liability.
III. Authorizes the department of energy to adopt rules relative to interconnection requirements for portable solar generation devices and directs the department to maintain relevant information regarding the devices on the department's website.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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 26-2126
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to portable solar generation devices.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Definitions. Amend RSA 362-A:1-a by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:
XI. “Portable solar generation device” means a movable photovoltaic generation device that:
(a) Has a maximum power output not exceeding 1,200 watts AC inverter output;
(b) Is designed to be connected to a building’s electrical system to a branch circuit, using a receptacle listed for that purpose;
(c) Is intended primarily to offset a portion of the customer’s on site electric consumption;
(d) Includes anti-islanding and rapid shutdown safeguards, certified and listed per industry standards to prevent energizing during a system outage.
2 New Section; Portable Solar Generation Devices. Amend RSA 362-A by inserting after section 9 the following new section:
362-A:10 Portable Solar Generation Devices; Exemptions; Requirements.
I. A portable solar generation device that meets the requirements of this section shall be:
(a) Exempt from interconnection requirements and interconnection agreements applicable to generators participating in net metering or otherwise interconnecting to export electric power; and
(b) Not subject to the net energy metering provisions of RSA 362 A:9.
(c) A maximum of one 1200 watt AC inverter output system shall be allowed per metered customer.
II. An electric distribution utility shall not require a customer using a compliant portable solar generation device to:
(a) Obtain utility approval before installing or using the device;
(b) Pay any fee or charge related to the device; or
(c) Install additional utility specified controls or equipment beyond those integrated into the device.
3 New Section; Portable Solar Generation Devices. Amend RSA 155-A by inserting after section 14 the following new section:
155-A:15 Portable Solar Generation Devices.
I. The state building code review board shall amend the state building code to address portable solar generation devices, including applicable nationally recognized standards, that portable solar generation devices must comply with.
II. Each portable solar generation device shall be installed per and comply with the state building code adopted under RSA 155-A, where applicable, and shall be installed and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
III. The applicable utility for the owner or operator of a portable solar generation device may develop a method for the owner to inform the utility of the wattage and number of devices at the address subsequent to installation. Such information shall be for notification purposes only and shall not require approval, interconnection review, or the execution of an interconnection agreement.
4 New Section; Liability. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 1-a the following new section:
374:1-b Liability for Portable Solar Generation Devices. An electric distribution utility shall not be liable for damage, injury, or compensation or charges arising from a portable solar generation device 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 portable solar generation device.
5 Rulemaking; Net Energy Meeting. 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
6 New Section; Portable Solar Generation Devices; Website. Amend RSA 12-P by inserting after section 17 the following new section:
12-P:18 Portable Solar Generation Devices Website. The department of energy shall establish and maintain a page on its website with relevant information for consumers regarding portable solar generation devices, 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.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2126
3/2/26
SB 540-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-0511s)
AN ACT relative to portable solar generation devices.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $245,000 | $257,000 | $270,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | Utility Assessment per RSA 363-A | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill defines “portable solar generation devices” and exempts compliant devices from interconnection and net-metering requirements. The bill prohibits electric distribution utilities from requiring approval, fees, or additional equipment for these devices, establishes safety and code-compliance standards, limits utility liability, and authorizes the Department of Energy to adopt rules to implement this bill.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) states this bill will result in an indeterminable increase in state expenditures beginning in FY 2027. The PUC indicates additional workload associated with implementation may require one full-time Utility Analyst with a cost of $127,000 in FY 2027, $133,000 in FY 2028, and $140,000 in FY 2026 and one full-time Attorney (Lawyer III) with a cost of $118,000 in FY 2027, $124,000 in FY 2028 and $130,000 in FY 2029. This will increase expenditures funded by the utility assessment pursuant to RSA 363-A by $245,000 in FY 2027, $257,000 in FY 2028 and $270,000 in FY 2029. The bill does not provide funding or position authorization.
The Department of Energy states the administrative responsibilities created by this bill fall within its existing workload and can be managed with current staff and resources. As a result, no additional administrative costs are anticipated.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Public Utilities Commission and Department of Energy
