Vermont Public Utility Commission Approves 14.4 kW Solar Net-Metered Electric Power System

Strategic Insights -

The Vermont Public Utility Commission has resolved the interconnection issue for a proposed 14.4 kW solar net-metered electric power system in Bristol, Vermont. The system, submitted by Firehouse Apartments Limited Partnership, will interconnect with Green Mountain Power Corporation's grid. The Commission deemed a Certificate of Public Good ("CPG") issued for the system, which must be commissioned within one year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Firehouse Apartments Limited Partnership submitted an application for a 34.6 kW roof-mounted solar net-metering system on August 19, 2022.
  • Green Mountain Power Corporation raised concerns about the proposed interconnection, stating that the system could not export to the grid during daylight hours unless downsized to 15 kW or less.
  • The Applicant responded by intending to downsize the system to 15 kW or less to interconnect with no export restrictions.
  • The Applicant later filed a notice of a proposed amendment to reduce the system's capacity to 14.4 kW.
  • No comments were filed regarding the amended proposal, and the Applicant paid the required modification fee on December 5, 2022.
  • The Commission determined that the interconnection issue was resolved when the proposed capacity of the amended system was reduced below 15 kW.
  • The Amended Project must be commissioned within one year of the date of this Order.
  • The Applicant is authorized to commence installation of the Amended Project, subject to the requirements discussed above.

Statistics:

  • The original proposed system capacity was 34.6 kW.
  • The system was downsized to 15 kW or less to address interconnection concerns.
  • The system was further reduced to 14.4 kW in the amended proposal.
  • The Amended Project must be commissioned within one year of the date of this Order.

Sources:

  • LEVEL 1 - STATE OF VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION; Case No. 22-3429-NMR
  • LEVEL 1 - STATE OF VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION; 12/08/2022
  • LEVEL 2 - STATE OF VERMONT PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION; 12/08/2022; ORDER RESOLVING INTERCONNECTION ISSUE AND FINDING CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC GOOD