Vermont offers solar incentives

BURLINGTON, Vt., July 2 (UPI) -- Vermont-based Green Mountain Power will help spread solar power.

The utility and power company said its new approach to accelerate the adoption of solar energy by Vermont homes and businesses was approved by the Vermont Public Service Board and the program is now available.

"We are so pleased that our customers will now receive the appropriate financial incentive to install solar generation at their homes and businesses," said Mary Powell, incoming president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power.

The program will work in conjunction with existing net metering programs, and customers will now be paid by Green Mountain Power for all solar energy generated at a rate of 6 cents per kilowatt-hour above the 12 to 13 cents per kilowatt-hour net metering benefit.

Solar generates the bulk of its power during hot summer days when electric system use is at its highest.