Hundreds more Vermonters will be able to add home battery backup power after state regulators agreed to lift a cap on the program. And the state’s largest utility is excited about the news.
The Public Utility Commission released a ruling Thursday that the cap on the number of home batteries has been lifted.
“It’s just really exciting news because we know that these programs deliver really great results for our customers,” said Kristin Kelly, the director of communications for Green Mountain Power.
For several years, Green Mountain Power has been deploying Tesla Powerwalls so customers can store energy at home to use during power outages, which have become more common in recent years.
Depending on type, usage and solar panel presence, batteries can run for days and last for over a decade.
If customers opt to share their stored energy during peak energy periods like heat waves, they can receive a monetary incentive.
GMP hopes the expansion will breed greater resilience in the face of climate change.
“Now, more than ever, it’s really important that customers who want access to cost-effective home battery storage to be able to access it, and now they’re going to have it,” Kelly said.
Kevin Thorley is one of 2,900 customers who currently have batteries in their homes.
“It’s seamless,” Thorley said. “It kicks on immediately, the lights barely even flicker.”
Hundreds of other Vermonters have been trying to jump on the bandwagon to no avail. The programs were capped at 500 customers per year since 2020. The waitlist for Powerwall batteries– which grew significantly following recent flooding– currently sits at 1,200 customers.
With the cap lifted, more people will be able to source energy at home.
The Public Utility Commission placed the cap to ensure the programs ran smoothly and other GMP customers wouldn’t be burdened by the cost of the batteries. But GMP says the financial impact has been positive for all customers. By drawing from local batteries instead of the open market during peak energy demand, GMP customers save around $3 million a year.
Thorley says he likes being able to contribute to the grid and the peace of mind his Powerwall brings in conjunction with his solar panels.
“The battery gets charged up before anything else, so if it has drawn down, the solar recharges that first thing in the morning and it’s just available and there if we need it,” Thorley said.
GMP says customers on the waitlist should contact their local installers to get the ball rolling and interested customers can visit their website to learn more.
