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What Green Mountain Power pays for exported solar
For a new rooftop system, Green Mountain Power credits exported energy at about 20.71¢ per kWh[1], against an average Vermont residential price of 23.93¢[2]. Exports first offset what you use over each month at the retail rate; this rate applies only to the surplus left over.
Other Vermont utilities, co-ops and municipal utilities set their own rates; check your utility's current tariff.
State rules that apply
- What the rule says: “If the electricity produced by the net-metering system exceeds the electricity consumed, the excess generation must be monetized at the applicable blended residential rate.”[3]
What it means for sizing and batteries
When exports earn close to the retail price, sizing the system to cover your yearly use is usually the best value, and a battery is mainly for backup rather than savings.
The calculator uses the statewide rule until we add utility rates. See what solar costs in Vermont.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Vermont have net metering?
Every Vermont utility must offer net metering. Solar output first offsets your usage kWh for kWh during each billing period. Any monthly excess becomes a dollar credit at the utility's blended residential rate (Green Mountain Power: 20.71 cents/kWh), and credits expire after 12 months. Systems applying for a permit since August 1, 2026 also carry a PUC-set siting adjustor of -5 cents/kWh on all production for systems of 15 kW or less. They lose another 4 cents/kWh if the owner keeps the renewable energy credits.
sources
[ 3 ]Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.
- Green Mountain Power Tariff v. V.P.U.C. 10 - Self Generation and Net Metering (effective with bills rendered on or after October 1, 2026)static.greenmountainpower.com · checked Nov 5, 2026
- EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B: Average price of electricity by state, year-to-date (August 2026, preliminary)eia.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
- Vt. Code R. 30-000-5100 (PUC Rule 5.100, as amended 3/1/2024) - Cornell LII copylaw.cornell.edu · checked Nov 5, 2026
Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.
Change log
- Monthly output per kW in Burlington updated to [65.4, 84.3, 120.8, 119.5, 136.5, 127.5, 137.1, 131.4, 115.0, 78.9, 55.6, 49.6] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- Average solar radiation on the panels in Burlington updated to 4.36 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- Solar output per kW in Vermont (PVWatts, Burlington) updated to 1221.5 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- What the rule says updated to “If the electricity produced by the net-metering system exceeds the electricity consumed, the excess generation must be monetized at the applicable blended residential rate.” (Vt. Code R. 30-000-5100 (PUC Rule 5.100, as amended 3/1/2024) - Cornell LII copy).