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The Vermont Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program was originally established pursuant to Renewable Energy Legislation passed by the Vermont State Legislature during the spring of 2003 and signed into law by Governor Douglas on June 17th, 2003. The initial program, which funded the installation of more than 220 renewable energy systems, was fully subscribed in the summer of 2004, with all installations completed by the summer of 2005.

A second round of funding for solar installations was made available in September, 2005. These funds came from Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) and Green Mountain Power (GMP) through monies that the two utilities received from the Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) and the American Nuclear Insurers (ANI) funds due to the sale of their interests in the Vermont Yankee Nuclear power plant. Combined with funds unspent from the first round, this money will support the installation of roughly 110 additional solar systems and was fully reserved by late October, 2005. Funds for the support of wind development were made available in September 2005 through U.S. Department of Energy funds secured by Senator James Jeffords for the VT Department of Public Service Wind Development Program. Approximately $454,600 in incentives was made available for qualifying small wind systems for individuals, businesses, schools, and local and state governments.

In July, 2006, the Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund authorized an additional $500,000 to the Vermont Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program for incentives for renewable energy systems. In addition, CVPS and GMP provided roughly $238,000 of incentive funds to support qualifying solar electric and solar hot water systems for customers in their service territories, again from their NEIL funds. Along with money left over from solar projects that were not completed in the previous rounds, these contributions result in a total of $980,000 of new incentive funding. The program was opened for new reservation applications in September 2006. The Renewable Energy Resource Center (RERC), a project of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, administers the incentive program and provides consumer education and support services.

The overarching goal of the program is to accelerate and increase market demand for high-quality solar and small wind systems. Through previous rounds of the program, approximately $1,373,920 of incentives was awarded, supporting the installation of more than 345 renewable energy systems. The incentives available under the new offering are expected to support the installation of approximately 210 new renewable energy systems in the state within a one-year period.

The timing and the total number of systems receiving incentives will depend upon the size of installations and market reaction to the program. The program incentives cover approximately 20-25% of the total installed cost for eligible systems. The incentives are expected to leverage approximately $4.5 million in private investment. Total energy savings are estimated to be roughly 8,000 gallons/year of fuel oil (from off-set of hot water heating) and 425 MWh of electricity (combined total for wind and solar electric systems). The program administrator will track and report total system costs, estimated energy savings, avoided environmental emissions, and job activity within the solar and small wind delivery sector of Vermont 's economy.

The program offers incentives on renewable energy systems installed by Vermont Solar and Wind Partners . Detailed information on incentives and instructions on how to calculate incentives for a specific system application are contained in the program's incentive reservation forms.

RERC would like to thank the following contributing sponsors:

U.S. Department of Energy
With the support of Senator James Jeffords

Vermont Dept. of Public Service

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