Green Mountain Power Proposes Strategic Extension of Net Metering for Vermont Homeowners & Businesses

Here’s a press release from Green Mountain Power about the net metering extension:

Green Mountain Power Proposes Strategic Extension of Net Metering for Vermont Homeowners & Businesses

GMP Also Launches New Solar Map to Empower Customers

Colchester, Vt. – Green Mountain Power announced today that it has created a new solar map, which can be found on its website www.greenmountainpower.com, so Vermonters can see where solar is powering our state. The map allows Vermonters to see where solar energy is being generated and how it ties into the grid. This effort comes at a time when GMP is proposing a strategic limited extension of net metering so more Vermonters can put solar on their homes or businesses.

solar_map

“As Vermont’s Energy Company of the Future, we are all about empowering customers with clean, reliable and cost-effective power,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “That means partnering with homeowners and businesses on an energy transformation that moves away from doubling down on the current grid system, and focuses more on homes, businesses, and communities, so we are generating power closer to where it is needed as we lower costs and increase reliability through innovations like battery storage.”  Through its eHome and eBiz program, GMP is working with customers to accelerate the adoption of homes and businesses that are cost effective, use dramatically less energy and can operate more independently of the grid.

GMP has reached the original net metering cap set and agreed on by solar developers and lawmakers. GMP will outline its plan and ask to extend the net metering program on a limited basis in a filing with the Public Service Board. Pending board approval, GMP will continue to allow homes and businesses to go solar by accepting net metering applications that are 15 kW and under. The proposal also allows for 7.5 MW of community projects for homes and businesses that cannot directly place solar on their home or property. This helps the landowner who would like to cover at least 50% of his or her power usage, or who will be getting 2% of the output from the project.  The Public Service Board is looking into a new net metering program that would start in 2017.

”Net metering is really important for business and residential customers, like us, who want to go solar,” said Kathy Harm, a homeowner in Rutland.  “We are excited about the benefits we have gotten and are very pleased that GMP is extending the program so more Vermonters like me can generate solar and be able to make good energy choices.”

“I commend GMP and Vermonters for leading on solar and reaching this milestone for the net metering program, which is delivering clean power throughout the state,” said Sen. Chris Bray of Addison County.  “Our state also requires utilities to provide energy that is affordable, so it’s prudent that GMP is now reassessing how to continue the movement to renewables while keeping an eye on costs for all ratepayers. I am confident that our energy future is bright in Vermont.”

“At GMP, we have internal solar siting standards that guide our work with homeowners, businesses, and communities,” said Powell. “Solar is a critical part of our energy future. This strategic limited extension of solar net metering fits with what customers tell us they want, which is to partner on energy transformation at the most local level.”

GMP’s new solar map helps inform customers where solar is being sited and how it ties into the grid. Using the solar map, you can see where projects are connected to the grid and operational and also where projects are proposed for the future by substation and circuit. GMP has created a color system to show Vermonters where capacity for new solar is abundant and where the grid is at or approaching capacity. The map itself is meant to help educate Vermonters about projects across the state and their impact on the grid system. The solar map will be updated weekly as more projects come online.

To check out the new GMP solar map, visit: http://www.greenmountainpower.com/innovative/solar/solar-map/

About Green Mountain Power:
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and has a vision to be the best small company in America by partnering with Vermonters to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: www.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.

Congress Extends Tax Credits for Renewable Energy, but Green Mountain Power Reaches Net Metering Cap

Solar panels

There’s good news, good news, bad news, and (UPDATE) more good news for some Vermonters who want to participate in generating renewable energy. The good news is very good news: Congress has extended federal tax credits for new renewable energy installations, including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and marine power (tidal generators, for instance–see April Fool’s Day post here), with solar and wind credits extending right out to 2020. This means that manufacturers, installers, homeowners, businesses, and communities can move forward with renewable energy plans without worrying whether or not tax credits will apply, and that makes a big difference in the numbers.

Read more about this at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/renewables-boom-expected-thanks-to-tax-credit

The other good news is that Vermont has added new solar generation capacity so quickly, several Vermont utilities have already met their net metering goals. This is also, unfortunately, the bad news, because it means that under normal circumstances, Green Mountain Power customers wouldn’t be able to add new net-metered solar. That doesn’t mean the power wouldn’t be useful, but it would take away the huge advantage to everyone of making that solar power available through the grid and being paid a price for it that takes into account the additional value of non-fossil fuel generation. However, here’s an UPDATE from Green Mountain Power:

we [have] proposed to the Public Service Board … a limited strategic extension of net metering, and as part of it will continue to allow rooftop solar. We have also proposed having community projects for folks who can’t go solar …

So that’s good news for Green Mountain Power customers. The problem remains, unfortunately, for Vermont Electric Co-op and Hardwick Electric customers, as these two companies have also reached their caps and unlike GMP have not (to the best of my knowledge) made the additional effort to work around the net metering cap. Williston’s electric customers are about evenly split, geographically, between Green Mountain Power in the north part of town and Vermont Electric Co-op in the south part of town.

This problem will continue until net metering caps are raised; let’s hope that’s soon!

Read more about the net metering cap at http://vtdigger.org/2015/11/10/green-mountain-power-poised-to-top-net-metering-cap/.

Explore Electric Vehicles at the Sun CARnival Aug 16th

SunCommon, a Vermont solar installer, invites Vermonters to a free electric vehicle (EV) event at St. Mike’s on Sunday, August 16th:

SunCARnival

  • EV owners will be available to talk candidly about what it’s like to own and operate an EV.
  • Drive Electric Vermont will be there to help you understand the differences between electric car models.
  • There will be many models of EVs at the EVent (with test rides available too!)
  • Grab a slice of complimentary pizza form Open Hearth Pizza then relax and play a little cornhole.
  • Last but not least, take a spin on an electric assist bicycle!

The details:
It’s the Sun CARnival at St. Michael’s!
St. Michael’s College
Klein Hall parking lot (off of Route 15 look for the signs!)
Colchester, VT 05439
Sunday August 16th, 1:00PM-4:00PM
Check out or Facebook EVent to let us know you can make it and to invite your friends!

SunCommon will be there all day visiting with community members and answering questions about going solar in Vermont while celebrating the clean energy connection between solar energy and electric vehicles. It’s an especially good time to introduce your friends and neighbors to solar considering that the sun is setting on the 30% Federal income tax credit for installing solar. They’ll thank you for it.

Free solar tours Saturday; SunCommon Solstice Party Sunday

It’s a great weekend for solar energy events in Vermont!

solar tours

First, there’s a series of free solar tours around the state this Saturday, June 20th, including several sites in Chittenden County, like South Burlington, Jericho, and our own town solar array in Williston Village. The tours are sponsored by Renewable Energy Vermont, VNRC, 350 Vermont, and the Sustainable Energy Resource Group. For more information, including an interactive map, see http://www.revermont.org/main/celebrate-solar-tours/

SunCommon

Second, on Sunday solar installation and design company SunCommon is offering yoga and live music as a solstice celebration in Jericho:

Sun Salutations & Solar
Community Solar Array (CSA)
35 Old Pump Road
Jericho, VT 05465

Join us for a home solar presentation at Williston Library May 4th

SunCommon rooftop solar installation

Sustainable Williston will kick off its new Sustainable Energy series with a presentation from Vermont solar energy company SunCommon at 6pm on Monday, May 4th at the Dorothy Alling Library in Williston. Learn about costs, benefits, and opportunities for home and community solar power, and bring your questions. Free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

Questions or ideas? Please comment here or use the form on our contact page. Thanks!

Waterbury LEAP Energy Fair Saturday

Waterbury LEAP

Waterbury Local Energy Action Partnership will hold its 9th LEAP ENERGY FAIR
Saturday, April 11, 2015

9 AM – 3 PM    Event is FREE!
Crossett Brook Middle School Gym, Duxbury, VT

TOUR 75 exhibits and talk with dozens of experts about energy audits, solar power, heat pumps, weatherization, geothermal, biomass, pellet stoves and much more

LEARN how to reduce fuel bills, save energy and shrink emissions

PARTICIPATE  in break-out discussions on: Sustainable Transportation; Air & Ground Source Heat Pumps; Going Solar; and Weatherization.

KIDS can enjoy a free show by Marko the Magician at 11AM

FREE electronics recycling onsite

The Fair draws 700 attendees and exhibit space sells out every year. Local green energy companies that would like to exhibit at the LEAP Energy Fair are encouraged to contact Ned Houston as soon as possible at hesplanning@aol.com.  Hosted by the volunteers of Waterbury LEAP.  Visit www.waterburyleap.org for more details.

Community Solar Forum in Hinesburg, Tue April 22nd

From the Hinesburg Energy Committee:

community solar

Community Solar Forum Tuesday April 22nd, 2014   7 PM
Hinesburg Town Hall, Hinesburg Vermont 

Please join us for an evening forum on Community Solar. As our towns and villages shift to renewable energy, homes that do not have good access to the sun and would like to use electricity produced from solar photovoltaic panels can participate in community solar.  Nick Ziter, from SunFarms Community Solar will present along with Jeff Forward from Richmond who has installed a group net metered solar pv array on his property. We will also discuss the financing options for these systems.

Community solar has been demonstrated to be a very viable option for towns and this forum will explore how towns can get started installing their own pv system.

Sponsored by the Hinesburg Energy Committee.  Hinesburg Town Hall Tuesday April 22, 2014 7 PM

For info contact Chuck Reiss 482-3295