Net Metering

"Net Metering" is the term used to describe how Vermonters can generate their own electricity and send what they don't use back onto the grid. If a net metered customer uses more electricity than is generated, the customer will pay the utility only for the difference. If the system generates more electricity than the customer used in a month, Green Mountain Power records a credit towards the customer's next bill. However, net metering is intended to allow customers to generate enough for their own use, but not to exceed their own use. Excess net metering credits that are more than one year old will expire.

Learn more about Interconnecting Customer Generation

If you’re looking for information about interconnecting your own generation to the grid, you’ve come to the right place! For further assistance, contact the Distributed Resources team at [email protected] or 802-770-3399.

There are several choices when considering interconnecting your generation source. The easiest way to separate them is by size as well as how you’ll be compensated for the power you produce.

Self Generation & Net Metering tariff

When property and/or a dwelling that has a generation system is purchased, please email [email protected] to provide notification and new owner information.  Please include Certificate of Public Good (CPG) #,  name, address and new account number.

Non Bypassable Charges are line items on your bill that generation credits cannot be “passed” or applied to.  If you have applied or installed a new net metering system as of 2017 or your net metering system is older than 10 years or has been amended (increased by more than 5% or decreased by more than 60%), net metering credits cannot be used to pay “non bypassable charges” on your bill.

• Customer Service charge
• Energy Efficiency charge
• Electric Assistance Program fee
• Any rental or financing charges

All non bypassable charges will be highlighted on your monthly billing statement in green print. 

Yes. You must have a Certificate of Public Good for Net Metering from the State of Vermont Public Utility Commission.

Any Green Mountain Power customer with metered service may participate.

GMP solar is a net metering program that credits customers who generate solar energy. The amount a customer receives is based on the value of the energy that GMP charges the customer, there are additional adjusting values that you could be entitled to. See Rule 5.100.

If you already have solar installed at your home, you will need to have an additional meter installed to directly measure the output of solar generation. Your solar installation will have to comply with these GMP requirements.

If you are a GMP customer who is interested in installing solar at your home, you must apply for a Net Metering Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board. Learn more about Interconnecting Customer Generation.

As mentioned above, an additional meter will need to be installed to directly measure the output of the solar generation. If you are looking for a contractor or installer, check out Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) where you can find a list of installers, or call 802-229-0099. REV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing nearly 300 business, individuals, colleges and others committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and expanding the availability of renewable sources of power in Vermont. Additional resources and documents can be found here for new solar projects.

You can also find the answers to many of your questions at Renewable Energy Vermont's website, www.revermont.org.

If you’re looking for information about interconnecting your own generation to the grid, you’ve come to the right place! For further assistance, contact the Distributed Resources team at [email protected] or 802-770-3399.

There are several choices when considering interconnecting your generation source. The easiest way to separate them is by size as well as how you’ll be compensated for the power you produce.

If your system produces more power than you use in a year, it is likely that you will be creating excess net metering credits on an ongoing basis. Starting on June 1, 2016, as required by Vermont law, excess net metering credits that are more than one year old will expire. To avoid losing these credits we suggest you form a group or add members to an existing group. Learn more about forming a net metering group.

Each month, you will see a separate line item on your bill, showing the dollars you earned for your solar generation that month. Your normal usage line will be reduced by the amount you generated.

Each month, you will see a separate line on your bill, showing the dollars you earned for your solar generation that month. Your normal usage line will be reduced by the amount you generated.

If your solar system generates more electricity than you used in a month, Green Mountain Power records a credit towards your next bill.

Net metering is intended to allow customers to generate enough energy for their own use, but not to exceed their own use. Therefore, by state law, excess net metering credits that are more than one year old will expire. Working with your solar installer to make sure your energy consumption is well matched to your solar generation will help prevent losing your credits.

You can use your net metering credits before they expire by either creating a group or adding members to your existing group. Net metering groups share extra credits as they’re generated. Adding members to an existing group is as simple as the group designee notifying GMP of new members and allocations by sending an email to [email protected]. Allocation changes will take effect within 30 days and apply to credits generated after that. Changes can be made up to 4 times in a calendar year.

Credits can be allocated using the Percent method. The purpose is to assign whatever percent was allocated to the customer’s bill each month regardless of what it takes to pay the bill to zero dollars. Credits are applied in kWh form at the time of billing for all group members. The kWh then get applied and then monetized.

You can do this by making them part of the group. This will offset their electric bill.

Yes, multiple net-metering systems can be merged into one group if the combined capacity total is less than 500 kW.  A VTPSB Request Form to Attribute Multiple Net-Metering Systems to a Group must be completed.

Any net metering customer can form a group. A net metering group shares the credits generated from one source, commonly a solar array. Group members do not have to be connected to the generation source, and can be located anywhere within the GMP service area.

To form a group state statute puts the minimum at two people and there is no maximum.

GMP’s role is to meter, bill consumption and credit generation; any agreement between the designee and the off takers is outside of GMP.

GMP will get a copy of the customer’s application/registration form and group information either by mail or email.

Yes. You can change percentages 4 times in a calendar year by sending an email to [email protected]. Changes will take effect within 30 days.

No, the generating account gets billed $6.50 per month per account. Note: Stacking is no longer available under Net Metering 2.0 rules.

Adding or removing members to/from an existing group is as simple as the group designee notifying GMP of the change by sending an email to [email protected]. Allocation changes will take effect within 30 days and can be made up to 4 times in a calendar year.

Yes, each group has to name a designee at the time they submit an application or form a group.

Yes. Any change needs to be submitted to [email protected]

For individual net metered customers, the new owner’s account is set up like the prior owner and they have 30 days to complete a Transfer of Ownership (TOO) form.

• If this scenario arises for a group, please call us for assistance at (888) 835-4672.

No, forming a group means sharing FUTURE credits. The oldest credits will stay on the account until they are used or expire.