Green Mountain Power launches Vermont 'solar sharing' program

Dive Brief:

Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Yeloha Inc., a developer of a peer-to-peer solar sharing network, will team up to offer the program as a pilot in two Vermont communities.
The idea is to make it possible for electric customers without suitable roofs to invest in solar panels by partnering up with so-called "sun hosts" willing to trade in their rooftop for a portion of the energy.
This new partnership will expand access for clean energy for those in the GMP's service area.

Dive Insight:

Is Yeloha the Airbnb of the energy world?

That appears to be the idea driving the innovative company. Yeloha pairs up customers who want solar power but don't own ideal roofs with those willing to install solar panels without having to pay a subscription or upfront costs to install the solar system. Essentially renting out their roof space, the hosts get a portion of the electricity generated as well as the break in installation costs.

"This partnership marks the first utility-adopted Sharing Economy platform to offer its customers the opportunity to generate their own energy and share it with other residents online," said Amit Rosner, Yeloha co-founder and CEO, in a statement. "The initiative represents a beacon of change for energy nationwide."

Yeloha, which developed the peer-to-peer solar network, will partner with Vermont's Green Mountain Power to offer the program as a pilot in Rutland and Barre Vermont, where the companies say it will give customers access to clean energy as well as boosting opportunities for local solar developers and installers.

“We see a tremendous opportunity in leveraging more rooftops around Vermont for the benefit of all those who may currently be renters, or own homes that are not well suited for solar," GMP President and CEO Mary Powell said. "As Vermont’s energy company of the future, we are transforming the old grid system into one where power is generated and consumed closer to the home or community where it is needed. This partnership with Yeloha will help accelerate this revolution in distributed power."