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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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
Revised 03/13/2026
SB 540-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2026-0511s)
AN ACT relative to portable solar generation devices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county
and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Energy and Public Utilities Commission
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 3, 2026 | 2026-0511s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 8, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote |
March 6, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 5, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9
Feb. 18, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0511s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb. 9, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-0511s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb. 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0511s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
Dec. 9, 2025: Hearing: 01/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 46
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1