Vermont is one of the beautiful states located in the New England region of the United States. Its landscape is mostly made up of mountains, lakes, and forests. The climate is quite distinct from that of the remainder of the country; the average temperature in winter is below freezing, and it does not get very cold in the summer. The state is known for its craft breweries, ski resorts, and independent bookstores. In 2016, the state’s GDP was $18.8 billion and its per capita income was $30,900. About 95.78% of the state’s population were born in the U.S., and 83% considered themselves to be evangelical Christians. People in Vermont are very eco-friendly, and they take pride in being so. The state government even has an agency dedicated to increasing the use of solar power in the state.
To explore just how eco-friendly the people of Vermont are, one must turn to solar energy. This article will examine just what a solar energy map for Vermont looks like, how solar energy has grown there, and how future trends predict more growth for this renewable energy source.
Current Use Of Solar Energy In Vermont
Although Vermont has a reputation for being slightly liberal, its residents are actually among the most conservative voters in the country when it comes to environmental issues. This trend can be attributed to the abundance of renewable energy sources in the state, notably solar power. The use of solar power in Vermont has increased by 64% since 2012, with nearly 16.5GW of solar capacity currently installed across the state. This makes it the 7th largest solar state in the country.
According to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the solar industry employed 22,600 people in 2015 and has a GDP of about $5.9 billion. This makes it one of the largest single workforces in rural America. About 44,600 jobs are projected to be in the industry by 2021.
Where Does Solar Energy Come From In Vermont?
As mentioned, one of the major factors driving the growth of solar power in Vermont is the state’s status as a major producer of renewable energy. Another contributing factor is the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires utilities in the state to purchase a certain amount of power from renewable sources. The state also gets 25% of its power from hydroelectric dams, making it a very eco-friendly state.
The major sources of power for the state include:
- Winding River Hydroelectric Generators (WRHEGs)
- Siemens Energy
- ExxonMobil New England
- Shawinigan LLC
- Northeast Utilities
- Centrenergy
- UPS (United Parcel Service)
- DTE Energy
- Public Service Company of Vermont (PSCOV)
- Vermont Mutual Insurance
- Nicolet Insurance
- Northeast Utilities
- Chapters Insurance
- National Union Insurance
- Selective Insurance
- International Insurance Company (ICO)
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Trestle Bridge Hydroelectric Generators (TBHEGs)
- First Energy
- Nicolet Insurance
- Selective Insurance
- Chapters Insurance
- Public Service Company of Vermont (PSCOV)
- Vermont Mutual Insurance
- Northeast Utilities
- DTE Energy
- Nicolet Insurance
- Chapters Insurance
- Wylde Electric Cooperative
- Citizens Federal Bancorp (CFB)
- United Illuminating Company (UIL)
- Taconic Holding Company
- Northeast Utilities
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
- International Insurance Company (ICO)
How Has Solar Energy Technology Changed In Vermont?
The major change has come in the form of improved technology and lower costs. The cost of solar energy has fallen dramatically in recent years, and this has led to a rise in popularity. One need only look to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) site to see just how much solar power has evolved over the past decade.
From a historical perspective, major advances in solar technology have stemmed from federal tax incentives which were first implemented in 2010 through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The incentives aimed to promote the efficient use of renewable energy and to jumpstart the green industry. One of the most significant provisions of the act was the 30% federal investment tax credit for solar energy systems purchased between 2011 and 2016.
The main beneficiaries of this act were commercial and industrial facilities, such as factories, warehouses, and golf courses, as these properties tend to have the highest electricity consumption rates. The residential solar market in Vermont has also seen a lot of growth, with photovoltaic (PV) system prices falling by 69% between 2015 and 2017, according to EnergySage, a provider of software that protects power consumers from electricity rate fluctuations.
Future Of Solar Energy In Vermont
The outlook for solar energy in Vermont is very positive, and several factors predict continued growth. First, as previously mentioned, the state has a large hydroelectric sector, which is completely dependent on the weather. Since climate change is something that people are very concerned about, the state’s electrical grid may see greater investment in power generation from renewable sources.
Second, the cost of solar energy continues to decline, making it a more attractive option for potential users.
Third, as previously mentioned, people in Vermont are very environmentally conscious, and they are also passionate about independent bookstores, which often publish environmentally friendly books.
It should be noted that although solar power in Vermont is growing, it still only contributes a small portion to the overall energy supply. The state is a net importer of energy, largely because of the high energy consumption rates of its large population.
This being said, renewable energy sources such as solar power are very important to the future of energy production, as they help reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, the reduced environmental impact caused by solar power makes it a very attractive option for potential users.