04 May 2016
COLCHESTER, VT – Green Mountain Power today announced it has begun customer installations of the Tesla Powerwall home battery for customers. The cutting edge technology empowers customers to become more energy independent by storing power for use during outages. When paired with rooftop solar, customers can generate and store their own energy, increasing reliability and the production of clean power. The Powerwall also allows the company to reduce peak demand on the system, providing cost savings to all customers. GMP is the first utility in the country to install the Powerwall for its customers.
“The Tesla Powerwall is a game changer in terms of power storage and a big step forward for customers and for GMP as we transform the way we generate and use energy,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “This is all about delivering on what our customers need to move away from the antiquated, bulk power system to one that is cleaner and more reliable, where we generate power closer to where it’s used.”
The Tesla home battery can be paired with small-scale solar such as rooftop panels to store locally generated energy, or it can be used without solar as a battery to store power from the grid. During a storm or emergency, the battery is able to power essential parts of the home like lights, a refrigerator, and furnace for several hours. Customers can also leverage time of use rates to charge and discharge the battery at times that will save them money. GMP is partnering with customers to maximize the Powerwall’s full potential for both the customer and the grid. GMP and customers will utilize the batteries during peak energy times — like hot summer days — to directly lower costs for customers by reducing transmission and capacity costs.
“It is thrilling to be among the first customers in the country to have a Powerwall installed in our home here in St. Albans,” said Troy Turner, a GMP customer. “This is a great investment for our family to increase reliability and lessen the impact of outages. We really believe this is the future of energy and are very excited to be a small part of the revolution.”
GMP has worked closely with customers to help make the Powerwall an affordable option. Customers can lease one for about $37.50 a month or about $1.25 a day, with no upfront cost. Customers can also choose to partner with GMP to purchase the Powerwall, and with shared access will receive a monthly bill credit of $31.76. Both options represent the value of leveraging the battery to help lower peak energy costs.
“Products like the Tesla Powerwall empower customers and speed up the pace of change, keeping Vermont on the cutting edge of innovation,” Powell continued. “GMP is turning the old utility model on its head, and offering products and services to help Vermonters use more locally produced energy so that one day we’ll rely on the grid as a back up system.”
Customers are encouraged to call or go online to learn more about the Tesla Powerwall. GMP has 500 Powerwall home batteries available at this time and expects to get more to meet customer demand.
To sign up for a Tesla Powerwall or for more information, please visit:
https://greenmountainpower.com/product/powerwall/
About Green Mountain Power:
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and has a vision to be the best small company in America by partnering with Vermonters to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.