Vermont Solar Guide 2026
Everything Vermont homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Key fact about Vermont solar
Vermont has the lowest sun hours in the continental US, but high electricity rates and strong net metering keep solar viable. GMP's resilience programs and community solar make Vermont a unique solar market.
Peak sun hours
3.9
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
21.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$3.2/W
before incentives
Typical payback
10 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in Vermont
Annual production
11,388 kWh
Year-1 savings
$2,391
System cost (est.)
$25,600
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Vermont Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering (net metering group billing allowed)
Vermont has strong net metering law under Act 56. Green Mountain Power and other utilities credit exports at retail. Vermont also allows group net metering for community solar.
Vermont Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓SPEED program for small-scale renewables
- ✓GMP Solar Installation Program
- ✓Property tax exemption
- ✓Sales tax exemption
Top Utilities in Vermont
Interconnection timeline: 5–10 weeks
Calculate your Vermont solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with Vermont data. Run any tool below.