The Public Utility Commission has released its recommendation to the Vermont Legislature for changes to the definition of “plant” to make it more feasible to co-locate new renewables.
REV’s analysis is that the PUC’s language eliminates existing single plant restrictions allowing for a more predictable, lower cost and faster permitting process for new solar in almost all cases.
Enacting the PUC’s new definition of plant would support more efficient land use by renewable generation projects by promoting denser, “solar smart growth” and reducing the need for redundant access roads and line extensions.
REV is committed to protecting Vermont’s open spaces and supports reforms that facilitate more concentrated solar development. Making it easier to co-locate solar projects supports this goal and is consistent with the principle behind the planning processes underway at Towns and Regional Commissions in response to Act 181.
In addition, by reducing the investment in redundant infrastructure and promoting better utilization of good solar sites, this language should also lower the cost of renewable power for utilities and Vermont rate payers.
Summary of PUC’s Proposed Exemptions to Allow Co-Location
The PUC has maintained that the default assumption should be that all facilities built on the same or contiguous parcels are part of a single plant unless qualifying for an exemption from that assumption.
PUC’s proposed exemptions eliminate single plant restrictions for:
- Individual net-metered arrays on separate parcels of land that also uses separate meters and supplies different customers
- Multi-owner net-metered arrays on a parcel with a common interest community (e.g. condo development) that also uses separate meters and supplies different customers
- 1-5MW (Tier 2) solar on the same or contiguous parcel if it uses separate points of interconnection to a utility’s distribution system.
REV is making passage of legislation enacting this language a priority for the 2026 Legislative Session.
For more information, read REV’s report: No Good Reason, Vermont’s Regulatory Roadblocks to Renewable Energy and Our Fight Against Climate Change