As more and more Vermonters continue to electrify their homes and businesses by switching to EVs and heat pumps, they are also looking to generate more of their own power from solar.
Unfortunately, a law passed in 2014 is holding them back. This law caps at 15kW AC the limit for a ground mount solar array to be approved by the speedy and convenient registration process that is also used for all roof mounted net metered solar. Anything about 15kW AC is required to use the same application process as a 150kW project. This lengthy application process adds so much time, uncertainty and money to projects greater than 15kW that almost no homeowner undertakes it. In fact, according to REV’s research only 11 CPG applications have even been filed since 2020 for 15-25kW AC projects
REV will be asking the 2025 Legislature to raise this 15kW cap to at least 25kW to allow more homeowners to meet the power needs from their electrification from their own solar generation.
This change is largely made possible by the increased efficiency of solar panels since the law was written. Prior to 2017 most residential solar panels were in the area of 250W. Modern residential solar panels are now 485W or larger. This allows for a 28% increase in generation in roughly the same physical footprint. Building a 25kW AC instead of a 15kW AC array produces enough extra electricity every year to power a Ford Lightning for over 25,000 miles!
This common sense step to remove unnecessary red tape and cost should help many homeowners go solar! Click here to learn more