Small-Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program

February 26, 2024

Summary

Vermont's Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program (SSREIP), initiated in June 2003, currently provides funding for new advanced wood pellet heating installations. The program is available to residential, commercial, institutional, and non-profit entities. Only systems installed by pre-approved installers will be eligible for funding. Funding must be reserved and applications approved before expenditures are made. Fund availability can be found here. Once reservations are granted, applicants have six months to complete their projects and submit the final application. Current incentives are as follows:

Advanced Wood Pellet Heating

Flat-Rate Incentive (Residential and small commercial with less than 5,000 sq ft of heated space): $3,000
Custom Incentive (Commercial projects above 5,000 sq ft.): $3,000
Income-Eligible Adder (Residential; only for Windham County): adder is $8,000 (low-income) and $6,000 (moderate-income)
Lifetime Cap: $5,000 (residential); $25,000 (commercial, industrial, non-profit, institutions)

For terms and conditions, and requirements for the advanced wood pellet heating incentives, click here.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Vermont
Incentive Type:	Rebate Program
Web Site:	http://www.rerc-vt.org/
Administrator:	Renewable Energy Resource Center
Start Date:	6/17/2003 (initial funding)
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Biomass
Incentive Amount:	Advanced Wood Pellet Heating: Flat Incentive: $3,000 Income-Eligible Adder: $8,000 (low-income) and $6,000 (moderate-income)
Maximum Incentive:	Advanced Wood Pellet Heating: $3,000 (Flat Incentive) Advanced Wood Pellet Heating Lifetime Cap: $5,000 (residential); $25,000 (commercial, industrial, non-profit, institutions) Low-to-Moderate Income: $9,000
Eligible System Size:	Wood Pellet Heating Systems: Maximum system size of 100 kW (341kBtu) for the flat incentive
Equipment Requirements:	Wood Pellet Heating Systems: Minimum efficiency rating of 85% (wood chip heating systems may have a minimum efficiency of 80%) and emissions below 0.08 lbs/MMBtu for PM 2.5
Installation Requirements:	Must be installed by registered Vermont Partners (no self-install).
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits:	Not addressed

Incentives

This program has 3 incentives

Technologies:	Biomass
Sectors:	Commercial, Nonprofit, Institutional
Parameters:	The incentive has a minimum of $25000.00

Technologies:	Biomass
Sectors:	Low Income Residential
Parameters:	The incentive has a minimum of $9000.00

Technologies:	Biomass
Sectors:	Residential, Multifamily Residential
Parameters:	The incentive has a minimum of $5000.00

Authorities

Name:	Act 69 of 2003
Effective Date:	6/17/2003 (initial funding)

Contact

Name:	Public Information (RERC)
Organization:	Renewable Energy Resources Center
Address:	20 Winooski Falls Way, 5th Floor Winooski VT 05404
Phone:	(877) 888-7372
Email:	info@rerc-vt.org

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.