Vermont Boosts Solar by Nearly Quadrupling Net Metering Cap

Last month, The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC) announced big wins for solar in Washington and Utah.  In Washington, utility-backed anti-competition legislation that would have given utilities monopoly control over the existing rooftop solar market died at the end of the session in March.  In Utah, bill language that would have changed net metering was removed from the final legislation in favor of a study to look at the value of distributed solar.  Now, Vermont is the latest state to join a list that’s quickly proving how far support for solar extends.  On Tuesday, Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law a bill to increase the cap on net metering from 4% to 15% of the utility’s peak load.

Net metering allows customers with on-site solar to use the clean energy they produce immediately in their home, and then receive full retail credit for any surplus electricity sent back to the grid.  Utilities turn around and sell this electricity to neighboring homes and businesses.  Vermont’s net metering expansion essentially quadruples the pre-existing cap, acknowledging the importance of net metering and the benefits it provides to all ratepayers.

Vermont Boosts Solar by Nearly Quadrupling Net Metering Cap