Electricians install solar panels at a home in Barre Town. File photo by John Herrick/VTDigger
Editor’s note: This story by Claire Potter originally appeared in the Valley News on Feb. 20.
WINDSOR — Four Upper Valley towns are banding together to promote solar installations ahead of a step-down in federal incentives.
“A few people have it (solar), but most people here aren’t familiar,” said Diane Foulds, who serves on the unofficial Windsor Energy committee. “… I want them to know they still have a chance to get this high incentive.”
The 26% federal tax credit will decrease to 22% in 2023, before dropping to zero in 2024. Unless it is renewed, home and business owners will have to wait longer to see a return on their investment in solar.
The Solarize 2022 campaign started as an idea at the Cornish Energy Committee in New Hampshire. The town committed to a 100% renewable energy goal by 2050. Soon, Windsor, Hartland and Plainfield, New Hampshire, joined in.
The collaboration just made sense to Foulds — “we can almost look at each other right across the river,” she said.
Six solar providers — Solaflect Energy, Catamount Solar, Same Sun of VT, SunCommon, Green Mountain Solar and Granite State Solar — are participating in the campaign. Solarize 2022 is free marketing for the companies, and in return they have committed to completing the projects by December 2022 so that customers who sign on through the campaign benefit from the full tax incentive. Residents will also benefit from the guidance of their local energy committees.
The organizers of the Solarize 2022 campaign ask that residents request a site visit from one or more of the companies by March 31. Foulds emphasized that there is no penalty for backing out. She would help residents in Windsor apply for financing, she said.
The companies will present to residents at a virtual launch event on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. Members of the energy committees will also be there to offer advice. And there will be at least 45 minutes for residents’ questions, said Joanna Sharf, who chairs the Cornish Energy Committee.
In Cornish, about 50 homes have solar photovoltaic arrays, and one or two keep installing some each year, Sharf said.
“We try to give a realistic expectation,” she said. “I’d be happy if we got 10 more homes with solar in Cornish. I hope we can get more than that.”
Completing projects on a timeline can be difficult amid labor and supply chain disruptions. Green Mountain Solar, based in South Burlington, has seen a slowdown in deliveries and shipments — especially for batteries, said Jane Stromberg, an outreach coordinator with the company.
“We know that it’s no one’s fault. It’s the way the world is right now,” she said. The company has been able to retain “really good talent” as it stayed busy with installations throughout the pandemic, she …….
Source: https://vtdigger.org/2022/02/22/4-upper-valley-towns-team-up-to-promote-solar-power-initiatives/