COLCHESTER, VT – Green Mountain Power and SunCommon today announced a partnership to build a rooftop solar array at Green Mountain Power’s Middlebury Service Center, and make it available to low income customers. The 325-panel project will serve about 35 residential customers, with priority given to local Middlebury residents.
The first-of-its-kind program helps low-income households go solar. Membership in the community array will be prioritized to Vermont families whose household income falls within 150% of the federal poverty level ($36,900 for a family of four). The program’s organizers point to ease of access as a key component. Once enrolled, CSA members get 7% off the price of power generated by the array.
“This is an exciting program that will help ensure more Vermonters have access to transformation, as we move to a home, business and community based energy system. We are excited to work with SunCommon, a fellow Vermont B-Corp, to leverage the power of the sun from our own rooftops,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell.
“Community Solar is accessible by design – making solar possible for renters and others who can’t install panels at their own home,” said James Moore, co-president of SunCommon. “At SunCommon, we share GMP’s interest in bringing the lowest cost energy to those with the tightest monthly budgets. Through this partnership, we’ve further opened our Community Solar program. If you consistently pay your power bill, you’re in. It’s that simple.”
GMP and SunCommon are looking at other GMP rooftop options across the state to benefit low income Vermonters. Construction of the Middlebury project is underway.
“Low income Vermonters carry the highest energy burdens in the state and we’re glad to see that local companies are building new ways for these Vermonters to save money with clean energy,” said Ludy Biddle, Exec. Director of Neighborworks. “This feels like a step in the right direction and we hope to see more programs focused on this population.”
For more information or to sign up, visit lowincomesolarvt.com or call SunCommon at 802-882-8181.
About Green Mountain Power:
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with customers 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: www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.
About SunCommon:
As Vermont’s largest solar business, SunCommon believes that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and brighter future – and renewable energy is where it starts. Energy from the sun can power our lives and build vibrant communities. Our mission is to tear down barriers to clean energy and use our business as a force for good.
SunCommon was chartered as one of Vermont’s pioneering Benefit Corporations and is a Certified BCorp based on a rigorous third party assessment of our commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. The business is headquartered in Waterbury where most of our 100 workers operate out of Vermont’s largest net-positive office building, which produces more energy than it uses. For more information, go towww.suncommon.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @suncommon.