Solar Project Stats
Our 136 roof-top panels from groSolar of White River Junction provide 31.28kw.  This solar-generated electricity produces the equivalent of over 3% of the Co-op’s energy needs or enough electricity to power over six Burlington homes.

We’re hoping to partner with Burlington Electric to sell directly back to the grid at a premium to further enhance the payback to our store; a first of its kind “Feed in Tariff” for Burlington Electric.

The solar project rang in at a cost of $187,912 total, but that’s not what the Co-op has to pay.  The Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund awarded us a $53,900 grant. These grant funds come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. City Market’s application for the grant was one of only a handful approved in the State of Vermont. In addition to the grant, the Co-op receives a $40,204 federal tax credit (30% of our investment in the project.)  This has brought our out-of-pocket costs for the project to $93,808.

While our hearts may tell us that investing in solar is the right thing to do, our solar project also makes solid business sense.  With a return on investment of over 13% and a payback of less than five years, this is a sure bet and a hedge against electric rate inflation.  

Solar Projects for the Community
In addition to the new solar panels, City Market and groSolar have partnered to offer a free Solar Made Simple seminar each month, to help educate local residents and business owners about the new economics of solar power. Check out our Calendar for more details on the Solar Made Simple workshop. Sign ups are available at the Customer Service desk or by calling 802-861-9700.

Check out some of the attention this project has received:
http://journalism.smcvt.edu/echo/3.9.10/News/citymarket.html
http://www.wptz.com/video/22827432/index.html
http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12133247

Time lapse videos of our solar panels being installed onto City Market's roof.