Renewable Energy Making Home-grown Electricity

Members are able to make their own electricity under Vermont’s net metering law, under the auspices of the Public Service Board (PSB) rule 5.100.

Members are encouraged to contact the Co-op to discuss their renewable energy generation interest, to receive unbiased technical assistance, and to better understand the relationship between electric usage and renewable self-generation.

To apply for a Certificate of Public Good (CPG), go to the PSB website:
http://www.state.vt.us/psb/rules/5100applicationform2007.pdf

There is no charge to apply for a net metering CPG. To understand the technical requirements for net metering equipment under the Vermont statute, go to the PSB website: http://psb.vermont.gov/sites/psb/files/rules/OfficialAdoptedRulses/5100ApplicatonForm2009.pdf

Members interested in having their property evaluated for solar electric (photovoltaic; PV) production, or solar hot water have multiple local vendors from whom to request proposals.

WEC recommends for members looking for local contractors to provide quotations and install solar hot water or PV systems to go to the list of current "Solar Partners" under the "Small Solar and Wind" incentive program; see:  http://www.revermont.org/installers.php.

To Use a Solar Hot Water Calculator, look at www.findsolar.com or for a more sophisticated one, go to www.retscreen.net.

To Use a Renewable Energy Calculator:   http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts. 

Also see: "Cost-Benefit Analysis - A Solar-Energy 'Investor' Confronts the Economics of His Choice".