Vermont Expands Net Metering Program with Utility Support

Vote Solar

While battles rage with utilities taking on both solar customers and businesses around the country, Vermont has quietly expanded its net metering program by nearly four-times without so much as a skirmish.

Net metering gives renewable energy customers full, fair credit on their utility bills for the excess clean power they deliver to the grid. Vermont’s legislation, H.702, raised the state’s net metering cap from 4 percent of a utility’s peak load to 15 percent, significantly expanding participation in this critical program. The bill also notably expands the state’s nation-leading 10-day solar registration program from 10kW to 15kW. It passed the Vermont House nearly unanimously and then the Vermont Senate 28-0. Governor Peter Shumlin quickly signed the bill into law on April 1.