The ability of many Vermont families to afford solar took a hit at the end of 2025 after President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress abruptly terminated a popular tax incentive for home solar installations. Simultaneously, the Trump administration revoked $62 million in Solar for All grant funds that had been designated to help low-income Vermonters go solar.
Fortunately, Senator Watson is doing her part to make sure that solar remains viable for Vermont families. Under the state’s net-metering program, Vermont families receive a credit on their utility bill when they generate more electricity than they use. The value of this credit is set by the Public Utility Commission, which has used a negative “siting adjustor” to reduce the value of these credits seven times since 2017. Senator Watson’s bill, S.170, would instruct the PUC to freeze these adjustors until 2028, allowing the compensation for net metering customers to grow as rates increase.
Watson’s plan would help to mitigate the harm done by the Trump administration’s anti-renewable crusade. Over the lifetime of a 10 kW system, Watson’s plan would save families approximately $5,500, offsetting about half of the value of the lost federal tax credit, all without impacting the state budget and with a negligible impact on electric bills (less than 40 cents per month for a typical Vermont family).
This bill is another example of Watson’s commitment to fighting the climate crisis. We are deeply grateful for her leadership.