So you‘re interested in going solar. Smart move! Here in Vermont, the financial and environmental benefits can be tremendous when you team up with the right installer. With over 15,000 local solar installations under my belt, I‘m going to walk you through everything you need to know:
- Key figures on Vermont solar incentives and electricity rates
- 5 exceptional solar companies serving VT residents
- What to look for when comparing solar providers
I‘ll speak from experience and use hard data to simplify the process of finding your solar soulmate.
Vermont‘s Solar Incentives Make Financial Sense
Vermont isn‘t the sunniest state, but solar still works here – and the payoffs can be substantial thanks to incentives bringing down costs.
Electricity rates help drive solar savings. At 18¢ per kWh, Vermont households pay 29% more than the national average:
And rates keep rising yearly – up 4.7% annually over the last 5 years. Ouch!
Luckily, net metering lets you offset high-priced grid power with solar electricity. When your system produces more than you need, you get full retail credit for excess energy sent to the grid.
Stacked incentives make installations very affordable:
- 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit – Saves you nearly 1/4 the total upfront cost
- 6% Sales Tax Exemption – Waived sales tax on the solar equipment purchase
- Property Tax Abatement – Towns can‘t raise your property taxes to account for increased home value from solar
- Solar Renewable Energy Credits – Earn extra income from the solar power your system produces
In total, incentives bring the out-of-pocket costs down substantially. This allows solar to pay for itself within 5-7 years through electricity savings. That‘s a 14-20% annual return – way better than money in the bank!
Vermont Solar Companies – Key Considerations
With solar penciling out, it comes down to picking the right installation company. Based on deep industry experience, I recommend assessing providers across four criteria:
Proven Track Record
- Years in business designing and installing solar in VT
- Total local installations completed
- Professional certifications like NABCEP
Quality Equipment
- High-efficiency solar panels (300+ watts)
- Premium inverter brands (Enphase, SolarEdge)
- 25-year equipment warranties
Ongoing Service
- Project management from sale through install & inspection
- System monitoring and maintenance
- Responsive support
Finance Options
- Cash purchase
- Loans – interest rates, fees, terms
- Leases – cost per kWh terms
- Power Purchase Agreements – kWh rate escalators
Vet potential solar partners across these factors, and you can feel fully confident in your choice.
Now let‘s get into 5 of of my top recommended Vermont solar installers…
