COLCHESTER, Vt., Feb. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) teamed up on a first of its kind opportunity in the country to deliver innovation and carbon reductions to customers through a new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. It will offer the country’s largest upfront incentive from a utility for customers with home batteries to share access to their stored energy and drive down costs for all customers. Customers can enroll electric vehicle (EV) chargers, too. The program will aggressively cut carbon while increasing grid resiliency and value for both participants and all GMP customers. The new incentive enhances GMP’s industry-leading Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) incentive that launched last year.
“I'm proud of our leadership in energy innovation and this is another great example of Vermont companies collaborating to produce a stronger economy by lowering energy costs and addressing climate change,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This type of program – where every homeowner can participate –not only benefits those living here now, but reflects the ingenuity of our state as we work to attract more families.”
Now, GMP customers who have their own home batteries can choose immediate payment up front when they enroll in the BYOD program, or ongoing bill credits in exchange for sharing access to their stored energy with GMP. The company will call on that customer’s stored energy to reduce demand on the grid during peak usage times, lowering costs for all customers. The incentive pays for itself in the savings GMP will generate through reducing that peak power demand. GMP passes those cost savings on to all customers.
“Vermonters value independence, resilience, reliability and choices, all qualities that GMP’s Bring Your Own Device initiative offers with energy storage and electric vehicle charging,” said Olivia Campbell Andersen, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Vermont. “Working together while also saving money through renewable energy technologies is the way to meet our climate commitments and create more resilient communities. Vermonters can work with any of our local business REV members and GMP, and also choose among several different connected products to participate.”
Customers will be able to see significant, immediate savings when they choose the new upfront payment over the program’s existing bill credit option. The enhanced incentive gives them $850 per kilowatt of energy storage enrolled in BYOD. GMP is also incentivizing more grid resilience in areas of the state where it is needed most, offering customers in those areas who add batteries to existing solar systems an extra $150 per kilowatt. Customers enrolling EV chargers in BYOD won’t get upfront payments, but will get bill credits of $10 per month while in the program.
Carole McCay, a SunCommon solar customer, says the new up-front payment option has her signing up for GMP’s BYOD program, and buying a home battery from SunCommon. “I’m thrilled with this program. I love my solar from SunCommon and adding battery storage gives me peace of mind. This up-front payment makes a huge difference,” McCay said. “I haven’t paid an electric bill since I installed solar and I’m delighted that I can now share some of my extra stored energy with Green Mountain Power during peak demand times.”
SunCommon expects to see interest in batteries jump because of the enhanced BYOD program. Adding energy storage to a solar installation significantly increases efficiency and resiliency – and making it more affordable will only accelerate adoption. “Customers have been asking for a program just like this, and we love being able to help more Vermonters increase their energy independence by generating and storing clean power from the sun, right at home,” said Tom Berry, SunCommon’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales.
The new BYOD program is part of a partnership between REV and GMP to increase the availability of products and services to help individuals, organizations and groups make energy transformation in a quicker, more coordinated way to fight climate change.
"We’re excited to be partnering with Green Mountain Power to help launch the BYOD program,” said Paul Lesure, Green Mountain Solar, General Manager/Partner. "Energy storage installations have been a growing part of our business over the last few years. This new program will provide customers greater options for energy storage and to really tailor the energy storage of the homes' needs.”
“Go Team Vermont! We’re so thrilled to be working together with our fellow REV members to increase value for customers, while expanding Vermont’s network of stored energy,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO at GMP. “There is an urgent need to fight climate change and that means energy transformation right now, and partnerships like this one with customers and the renewable energy community are key to achieving our shared goals for Vermont. Together, we can use energy as a force for good and make a big difference for residents, the state, and the planet.”
Space in the pilot program is limited. When total enrollment reaches 2 megawatts of storage or about 600 customers, it will be full and no longer able to accept new customers.
You can learn more about GMP’s BYOD program here: https://greenmountainpower.com/bring-your-own-device/
GMP’s solar map has the areas of the state where battery storage is needed most (shown in orange and red): http://gmp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4eaec2b58c4c4820b24c408a95ee8956 ).
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019). GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. J.D. Power’s 2018 rankings also put GMP among top utilities for customer satisfaction.
About Renewable Energy Vermont
Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) represents businesses, non-profits, utilities, and individuals committed to eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels by increasing clean renewable energy and energy efficiency. Vermont’s clean energy economy supports at least 18,800 sustainable jobs, representing approximately 6% of Vermont’s workforce. Together, we will achieve 100% total renewable energy (electric, thermal, transportation). Join us at www.revermont.org.