Vermont solar calculator

Live production from NLR (formerly NREL) PVWatts V8. Vermont net metering (PUC Rule 5.100) credits exports at an ABSOLUTE blended-based rate (not a percentage of retail) — base Category I residential ≤15 kW effective $0.1439/kWh, plus an optional $0.03 adder if you TRANSFER RECs to GMP (default modeled, total $0.1739/kWh). Self-consumed solar offsets full GMP retail (~$0.2146/kWh — among the highest US residential rates). Burlington (BED) is the lowest-retail VT utility (~$0.1837). LOCKED 10 years from interconnection. Pick REC path via the selector below. CRITICAL: VT 6% sales tax exemption on solar SUNSETS JUNE 30, 2026 — installs completing after that date may be sales-taxable unless legislature extends. Property tax exempt for systems <50 kW (32 V.S.A. § 3802). NO state income tax credit (the widely-cited "30% VT credit" is a myth — it was 25% of federal, equals zero now federal is zero). Federal §25D = $0 (OBBBA repeal). Group / virtual NM closed for new installs Jan 1, 2025 (Act 179). GMP battery incentive: BYOD $850-950/kW upfront (cap $10,500). PUC has cut adjustor rates 7 years running — Case 26-0291-INV pending. Defaults: south-facing roof mount, 20° tilt, 14% losses.

Vermont: REC adder choice — pick ONE at enrollment

VT net metering credits exports at an absolute blended-based rate (PUC Rule 5.100). At enrollment you choose whether to keep RECs or transfer them to GMP for an additional adder. Locked for 10 years.

Transfer RECs to GMP (+$0.03/kWh) (default)
Total export rate about $0.1739/kWh ($0.1439 base Cat I + $0.03 REC adder). Almost always the higher-revenue choice — VT has no tradeable SREC market so retained RECs have near-zero secondary value.Keep RECs (no adder)
Export rate about $0.1439/kWh (base Cat I, no REC adder). You retain the RECs — but there is no live VT market to sell them into, so the practical value of keeping them is close to zero. Math usually favors Transfer.

Try (Montpelier), (Burlington), (Rutland) — any valid US ZIP for this state also works.