Solar Panels Cost $5.6k-$16k in Orleans County, VT | August, 2025

Cities and counties in Vermont may create or enter property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing districts. Any property owner, including single-family homeowners, may apply for specialized energy efficiency loans through their local district. Active PACE programs cover forty different cities, including the Burlington metropolitan area. Maximum available PACE loan principal, interest rates, and other terms and conditions will vary from program to program. Repayment takes the form of a property tax lien senior to mortgages; this means should the borrower sell their property, the new owner will be responsible for continuing loan payments. Additional information is available from the Efficiency Vermont website.

Vermont regulations require utilities to provide information about on-site electrical generation to customers requesting line extensions. The rationale for this regulation is centered both on sustainability and cost savings; it is possible for technology not using the grid to carry less operating costs than a connected line.

Vermont schools may claim property tax exemptions for the value of small solar PV systems up to 50 kW in capacity. In place of the property tax, a $4/kW charge is assessed on the taxpayer's utility bill. Systems should either participate in a net metering contract or be used for non-interconnected self-generation. Structures used to house components or mount solar collectors may still be assessed as normal. Additional information is available from the Tax Department website.

The Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation is a legislative agency established in 2013. Loans from the agency's AELP program are designed for farmers and foresters making renewable energy investments or energy efficiency improvements. Loans of up to $2,000,000 are available; the principal can fund a negotiable amount of project costs. Interest is at a variable below-market rate with payments based on energy savings. Standard credit checks, commitment fees, regulatory costs, and other terms/conditions apply. Additional information is available from the Economic Development Authority.

Local governments in Vermont may choose to exempt renewable energy equipment from local property taxes. Qualifying technologies include solar, wind, methane, and some biomass. Systems must be under a net metering contract. Assessing agencies may choose the total value of the exemption, but most participating localities have implemented a total exemption on the value the system adds to a property. System owners are still responsible for state property tax liability. Interested taxpayers should contact their local government to verify participation and obtain additional information.

Vermont first enacted a Renewable Energy Standard in 2015. Current standard objectives require at least 75% of the state's retail electricity to be generated using renewable technology by 2032. Shortly after enactment, an initial "checkpoint" goal was set requiring a 55% renewable power grid. "Carve-out" policies require a fixed proportion of solar energy, "transformation projects" reforming fossil fuel facilities, and distributed generation. Compliance with each goal is measured using a renewable energy credit (REC) system pegging one kWh of electricity to a fluctuating dollar value. Credits are subject to market forces; utilities may generate them using their own renewable installations or purchase them through feed-in tariffs. Should a utility fail to meet its REC quota, it will receive a financial penalty for each kilowatt hour it is deficient.

The Vermont Public Service Board enforces standards for distributed generation and grid interconnection practices in the state. Vermont does not use tiers to organize operational renewable energy facilities, though no system under net metering may be rated for over 500 kW. Systems rated for under 150 kW may be eligible for expedited permit review, while those above 150 kW will be subject to extensive engineering reviews and impact studies. Systems are required to meet certain IEEE standards and have an external disconnect switch installed. Owners may be required to carry liability insurance by their utility, but utilities cannot charge additional interconnection fees beyond what is necessary.

Vermont businesses may be eligible for investment tax credits on renewable energy equipment. Eligible technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, and some biomass/hydrogen fuel cells. Generally, the credit amount will cover up to 24% of the business's combined local and state property tax liability for the assessed system. Incentives will decrease each year until the credit reaches 2.4%, at which time it will continue indefinitely. The state Department of Taxes reserves the right to amend the credit policies. Additional information is available from their website.

Solar, wind, and other renewable energy systems in Vermont are eligible for net metering. To qualify, the system owner should follow state interconnection standards and acquire a Certificate of Public Good. Upon signing a net metering contract, the customer will have a bidirectional meter installed to track net excess generation (NEG) exported to the grid. Bill credits for NEG will be awarded at an avoided-cost rate per kilowatt hour. Customers may keep ownership of all renewable energy credits their system generates. "Virtual net metering" arrangements are available for group-owned and microgrid solar energy farms. Each subscriber will receive NEG credits in proportion. Additional information is available from the Vermont Public Service Board.

The Vermont Small Business Energy Loan initiative (SBELP) assists local businesses in making renewable energy investments or energy efficiency improvements. Loans of up to $500,000 are available at special below-market interest. These loans can fund up to 60% of the cost of an energy project. Loans below $50,000 are also available which can fund up to 75% of project costs. Standard credit checks, commitment fees, regulatory costs, and other conditions apply. Additional information is available from the Economic Development Authority.

Through a feed-in tariff program, Vermont utilities may enter power purchasing agreements (PPAs) with developers of large solar/wind farms, hydroelectric installations, and biomass/landfill gas/methane plants. To receive tariff funds, owners should obtain a Certificate of Public Good from the state government and negotiate an appropriate kilowatt-hour rate with interested utilities. In exchange for tariff funding, utilities may claim ownership of the renewable energy credits (RECs) the facility generates. Additional information is available from the Vermont Standard Offer website.

In Vermont, state standards streamline permit processes for small solar energy devices under 15 kW. Permits are referred to as "Certificates of Public Good" and are awarded by the Public Service Board. Builders will automatically be considered for expedited review of their system if it meets interconnection standards and capacity limits. A Certificate of Public Good will be awarded automatically if utilities do not raise objections within 10 days. The objection period is extended to 30 days if the solar device will be roof-mounted and rated for over 15 kW. Additional information is available from the Public Service Board website.