May 14 2014
A community’s aspirations of a cleaner energy future were realized as Rutland’s community solar project, built by NRG Residential Solar Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., is now delivering power.
The 150 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array provides power to 50 Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers who signed-up for the project.
“With the partnership of Green Mountain Power and the strong support of the leadership and residents of Rutland, NRG has been able to build a truly revolutionary solar program to help meet the electrical needs of the city,” said Denise Wilson, Executive Vice President, New Businesses. “This community solar project makes solar a possibility for all Rutland customers.”
The array was built on Hillside Avenue, just off Woodstock Avenue.
The agreement, which is one of the first of its kind between a utility and solar developer, gives 50 Rutland residential and commercial customers solar power at no upfront cost and a credit on their GMP bills for the energy produced by the array.
“This project and the innovation it represents is helping make Rutland the solar capital of New England,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “Partnering with NRG Energy has made community solar work and advanced Vermont’s achievement of its renewable energy goals. We anticipate working together on additional projects in Vermont to further develop solar as a meaningful part of our energy future.”
“Rutland is very proud of this array and what it means for the city and its residents,” said Mayor Chris Louras, who is also a customer of the community solar project. “Whether a person owns their own home, rents their residence, lives in a shady area or cannot afford the upfront capital cost of their own solar array, through this project, they can have solar power and with it, the knowledge that they are helping the environment as they save on their electric bill.”