In Vermont, homeowners are allowed to build small-scale renewable energy projects- like solar panels on their roofs- and still connect up to the electric grid. They can use renewable energy when the sun is out, and draw from the electric grid at other times. Electric companies are required to credit customers for the excess energy they generate. That’s called net metering.
However, several of the state’s utility companies have hit the statutory cap on net-metering capacity. Three of them are no longer accepting new applications for small scale solar projects. At the beginning of this month, Vermont Electric Cooperative submitted a proposal to the Public Service Board to continue accepting net-metering projects, but to credit customers for their power at a much lower rate. They say net metering customers are not paying for the utilities’ fixed costs- all those wires and poles. Some renewable energy advocates say it's time for utilities to change the way they do business.
We talk to Dave Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative, and Gabrielle Stebbins, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Vermont, about how net metering works, and how they think it should work in the future.
Post your questions or comments about net metering here or email them to vermontedition@vpr.net.
Broadcast on Tue 10/22/13 Noon & 7PM
