Vermont Business Magazine Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) and Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) have partnered to provide free community solar memberships in Orleans County, thanks to NVDA securing a grant from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
The grant will cover the cost-in-full for 20 income-qualified households in Orleans County to sponsor panels in VEC's Community Solar Program, leading to nearly $45 in monthly savings on their electricity bills. Over the 10-year program term, each household will save over $5,200. All program slots have been filled.
"This program will provide significant savings to Orleans County residents who could benefit from it the most," said Allie Webster, Energy Planning Consultant for NVDA. "We are grateful to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for making this funding possible and to VEC for their leadership in affordable renewable energy."
Orleans County was one of more than 2,700 eligible states, territories, local governments, and Tribes awarded a portion of over $430 million in clean energy funding via the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
VEC's community solar projects are located in Alburgh, Grand Isle, and Hinesburg, Vermont. Orleans County grant participants will sponsor panels in Hinesburg, pictured below. Sponsorships are available to all Co-op Members. Together they total about 7.1 megawatts and produce about 9 million kilowatt-hours annually, the equivalent of about 1,200 homes’ annual electricity usage. All VEC members are invited to enroll in Co-op community solar and can learn more online or by contacting VEC Member Services 1-800-832-2667 / [email protected].
Hinesburg, VT – VEC Community Solar Project. Photo credit: Encore Renewable Energy
About Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA)
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) is the regional planning and development organization serving Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties. https://nvda.net
About Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC)
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable electric service to approximately 33,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Operating with an annualized 100 percent carbon-free power supply, VEC is nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology. VEC is the largest locally-owned electric distribution utility in Vermont. https://vermontelectric.coop
[St. Johnsbury, VT] – [May 2, 2025] – Northeastern Vermont Development Association
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