By Paul Bean
The State of Vermont will spend $62 million in federal funds to install solar power for low-income Vermonters.
On Jan 7, the parent company of Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and The Vermont Department of Public Service announced the official start of the state’s Solar for All program. Set to launch in late 2025, the initiative aims to lower electricity costs by 20% for many low-income and underserved Vermonters through solar energy projects.
VEIC is a clean energy nonprofit that is focused on “high impact” energy solutions that are based in “equity and innovation.” Its website says, “As a nonprofit organization, the company had a clear mission: to reduce the economic and environmental costs of energy use.”
In a January 7 press release, VEIC writes “Vermont’s Solar for All program is part of a nationwide effort, funded by a $62.45 million Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to deliver the long-lasting economic benefits of residential solar to more local communities. The PSD and Vermont’s State Energy Office will administer the grant funding and oversee the program.”
The program will provide incentives to lower the cost of installing rooftop solar systems on individual homes and affordable apartment buildings, while also supporting the development of large community solar arrays that enable renters and other residents to take part.
There are three ways for people to participate in the program:
- “The Residential Assistance in Solar Energy (RAISE) program to support the installation of rooftop solar for eligible single-family homes.
- The Managed Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) program to help affordable housing providers install solar on their buildings and provide residents opportunities to participate in community solar projects.
- The Affordable Community Renewable Energy (ACRE) program to create megawatt-scale community solar installations to support low-income Vermonters with a focus on renters and people who are unable to participate in the other two programs.”
“We’re excited to get this program started and can’t wait for Vermonters to see the impact,” said Vermont’s State Energy Office Director, Melissa Bailey. “Having a local and nationally recognized industry leader like VEIC on our planning team is an asset to our program.”
“This early planning and collaboration will help us maximize the full economic impacts of growing solar opportunities in the state,” added Andrew Perchlik, the state’s Solar for All Program Manager. “It’s important we build trust in our communities now so we’re ready to hit the ground running when applications launch.”
Perchlik (Washington D/P) is also a state senator. He sits on the Appropriations and Transportation committees.
When applications launch and Vermonters start to “see the impact” VDC will report on how the program is working out and what kind of impact the incentives will have on Vermont’s energy economy.