Vermont senate approves solar net metering expansion

March 26, 2014
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The state senate of Vermont in the US has approved an increase in the cap placed on solar net metering.

The legislature last week voted to quadruple the cap from four to 15% of a utility’s peak load.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Pending final approval from the state’s governor, Peter Shumlin, the new net metering law will be in place until 2017, after which new legislation would need to be introduced.

Net metering customers will receive payments of US$0.19 or US$0.20 per kilowatt hour, depending on the size of the install – on systems up to 500kW in size.

The legislation also makes provision for a pilot 5MW solar plant to be built on a municipal landfill site, which qualifies as a net metering system.

Net metering allows customers with on-site solar to receive credit on their energy bills for any surplus electricity they feed back into the grid. The policy, widely used in the US, has come under increasing attack from utility companies in a number of states because of the costs they claim it transfers to non-solar customers.

“Vermont’s decision sends the clear message that rooftop solar delivers benefits to utilities, the grid and all ratepayers,” said Bryan Miller president of pro net metering body, the Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC) and VP of public policy for Sunrun. “We commend the Vermont legislature for its leadership in expanding access to net metering.”

Andrew Savage, director of communications and public affairs for Vermont-based AllEarth Renewables, added: “This major net metering expansion was the result of utilities working alongside the local solar industry and our customers to craft good policy and set a national example.

“The policy reflects the real value solar provides and shows that Vermont’s local utilities are listening to what customers want and need.”

Read Next

October 23, 2025
The average price of a solar PPA signed in Europe in Q3 2025 fell below €35/MWh, reaching €34.25/MWh, according to LevelTen Energy.
October 23, 2025
Infrastructure investment firm Nuveen Infrastructure has secured US$171 million in financing for a 137MW solar PV plant in South Korea.
October 23, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy sold approximately 725MW of solar modules in Q3 2025, as it continues to expand US manufacturing capabilities.
Sponsored
October 23, 2025
Tongwei's rooftop-focused TNC 2.0 G12R-48 module will be among the products on show at All Energy Australia next week.
October 23, 2025
Solar PV technology has maintained its leading position as the most cost-competitive power generation source in 2025, according to analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 23, 2025
Aviva Investors and Astatine have announced an €800 million (US$928 million) investment in renewable energy and decarbonisation solutions.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal