RUTLAND—On Sept. 21 Green Mountain Power, the first utility to become a B-Corp, and Yeloha, a peer-to-peer solar sharing network, announced a groundbreaking partnership with a mission to unlock the benefits of solar energy for everyone—by sharing it.
The 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.
Yeloha and GMP will make it possible for individuals who don’t have a roof suited for solar to subscribe online to power produced by other homeowners and businesses, essentially going solar on someone else’s roof. Those who do own suitable roofs will be offered to host the panels free of charge in exchange for sharing some of their solar power.
The sharing economy, which has impacted all areas of our lives from transportation to accommodation, is about to revolutionize solar energy by providing simple accessibility through collaboration between individuals, made possible by Yeloha’s technology platform.
“This is a unique opportunity to empower more people to be able to harness the power of the sun,” said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. “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. 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,” added Powell.
“We are pleased to join forces with Green Mountain Power, a forward-thinking energy provider, as our first utility partner,” said Amit Rosner, co-founder and CEO of Yeloha. “Working together, we have the unique opportunity to democratize access to clean energy; literally bringing power to the people, by the people,” added Rosner.
Yeloha is an online platform with a mission to make solar accessible to everyone, including those who don’t own a roof suitable for solar, such as renters and apartment dwellers or those who can’t afford the panels by going solar, on someone else’s roof.
It is often referred to as the “airbnb of solar” because it lets people put their unused roofs to work, benefiting themselves and others. Joining is simple, and the online subscription takes a few minutes.
The partnership will start as a pilot in Rutland and Barre, where it will both open up exciting options for homeowners to save money while living sustainably, and also create opportunities for local solar developers and installers who will deploy the installations.
“We are thrilled to have this new option for our residents who rent or live where solar isn’t possible,” said Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon. “Bringing the value and benefits of solar to more Vermonters is a great step forward and will help economically here and across the state,” he added.
“Solar energy is boosting the economy and programs like this will provide more local jobs,” said Nik Ponzio, co-founder of Building Energy, a Vermont solar installation company. Visit www.buildingenergyvt.com.
