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Get a Free QuoteVermont Electric Cooperative's Flexible Load Battery Program pays you bill credits to dispatch your home battery during peak demand events. Unlike GMP's lease program, you own your battery — VEC just dispatches it and compensates you. Available to ~32,000 VEC members across 75 Vermont towns.
VEC Members
~32,000
statewide
Towns Served
75
across VT
VEC Rate
$0.18/kWh
blended avg
Annual Credits
$64–$192
est. per battery
Vermont Electric Cooperative runs a demand-response program that pays members to make their home batteries available for grid dispatching during peak events.
Unlike GMP's lease, VEC's program is 100% BYOD. You purchase, own, and maintain the battery. VEC does not lease you equipment or upfront hardware.
During high-demand events (summer heat waves, winter cold snaps), VEC remotely draws energy from enrolled batteries to reduce strain on the grid and avoid expensive peaker plant purchases.
Every dispatch event generates a bill credit applied to your VEC account. The more capacity you enroll and the more events occur, the more you earn. Your battery always prioritizes home backup first.
VEC forecasts a peak demand period
Typically a hot summer afternoon (4–8 PM) or a polar vortex evening when heating demand spikes.
VEC sends a dispatch signal
Your battery's communication module receives a remote command from VEC to discharge to the grid or reduce grid draw.
Battery responds automatically
No action required from you. The battery dispatches stored energy. Your home's critical loads remain protected.
Bill credit is applied
VEC calculates the credit based on energy dispatched and applies it to your next monthly bill.
Most Vermont battery coverage focuses on GMP because GMP serves 75% of the state. VEC's program is fundamentally different — and in some ways better for members who already own or plan to buy a battery.
| Feature | VEC Flexible Load | GMP Battery Program |
|---|---|---|
| Program Type | BYOD — you own the battery | Lease (GMP-owned) or BYOD |
| Monthly Lease Option | None — you purchase battery | $55/mo for 2 Powerwalls |
| BYOD Incentive | Bill credits per dispatch event | $850–$950/kW (up to $10,500) |
| Incentive Structure | Ongoing credits (event-based) | One-time payment + enrollment |
| Service Area | 75 towns, ~32K members (rural/NE VT) | ~75% of VT (statewide) |
| Electric Rate | ~$0.18/kWh blended (lower than GMP) | $0.2146/kWh |
| BYOD Deadline | Ongoing program (no fixed deadline) | September 30, 2026 |
| Battery Ownership | You own 100% | Lease: GMP owns. BYOD: you own. |
| Best For | VEC members who own/plan to buy a battery | GMP customers wanting lease option |
Key Takeaway: Ongoing vs One-Time
GMP's BYOD incentive is a one-time payment (max $10,500) that reduces your battery purchase cost. VEC's program pays recurring bill credits year after year — potentially accumulating more value over a 10–15 year battery lifetime, especially if VEC increases event frequency as the grid becomes more stressed.
VEC's Flexible Load program is compatible with several major battery brands. All must support remote dispatch and be professionally installed.
Powerwall 3
Capacity
13.5 kWh
Continuous Power
11.5 kW
Most popular in VT
IQ Battery 5P
Capacity
5 kWh (stackable)
Continuous Power
3.84 kW
Modular, flexible sizing
aPower2
Capacity
13.6 kWh
Continuous Power
10 kW
New entrant, high power output
sonnenCore+
Capacity
10–20 kWh
Continuous Power
4.6 kW
German engineering, 30-yr design life
Contact VEC directly for the current approved battery list. New models are evaluated and added periodically. All batteries must meet VEC's communication protocol requirements for remote dispatch and be installed by a licensed Vermont electrician.
Bill credits depend on your battery capacity, number of dispatch events per year, and VEC's per-event credit rate. Here are realistic estimates for 2026.
| Battery Setup | Est. Events/Yr | Credit/Event | Annual Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 kWh (1 Powerwall) | 8 | $8–$12 | $64–$96 |
| 20 kWh (2 × Enphase 5P) | 8 | $12–$18 | $96–$144 |
| 27 kWh (2 × Powerwall) | 8 | $16–$24 | $128–$192 |
Estimates based on 8 typical dispatch events/year. High-demand years (extreme heat or cold) may trigger more events. Credits are applied to your VEC bill — they do not pay out as cash.
A single Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh) enrolled in VEC's Flexible Load program could generate approximately $640–$960 in bill credits over 10 years. A larger 2-Powerwall setup could yield $1,280–$1,920 over the same period.
Pairing solar with your battery means VEC dispatches solar energy — not grid electricity you purchased. Combined, solar + battery shifts your energy profile toward self-sufficiency while VEC compensates you for grid services.
Vermont Electric Cooperative serves approximately 32,000 member-owners across 75 towns, primarily in central, northern, and northeastern Vermont — including the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) and Lamoille County.
About 10% of Vermont's electric customers. VEC is a nonprofit cooperative — you're a member, not just a customer.
VEC serves many rural towns not covered by GMP — particularly in the NEK where off-grid resilience matters most and propane/oil are the primary heating alternatives.
Burlington is served by Burlington Electric Department (BED). VEC does not serve Burlington or the immediate Chittenden County suburbs.
Visit vec.coop to look up your town and confirm VEC service.
VEC's blended retail rate of approximately $0.18/kWh is lower than GMP ($0.2146/kWh) but higher than Burlington Electric ($0.1837/kWh). Understanding how rates affect solar payback is critical for VEC members.
Tiered: lower for first 100 kWh/month
TOU rate available (higher peak, lower off-peak)
100% renewable since 2014
No Federal Tax Credit in 2026
The Section 25D residential solar ITC expired December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit for homeowner cash or loan solar purchases in VEC territory or anywhere else in Vermont. Sales tax exemption (6%) and property tax exemption (32 V.S.A. §3802) still apply. Sales tax exemption expires June 30, 2026.
Enrollment takes just a few steps. If you already own a compatible battery, you can start the process today.
Verify you receive your electricity from VEC. Check your bill or visit vec.coop.
If you don't already own one, purchase and have a compatible battery installed by a licensed VT electrician.
Call (802) 635-2331 or visit vec.coop. VEC will review your battery specs and confirm compatibility.
VEC installs the necessary equipment for remote dispatch. Once installed, you start earning credits automatically.
Phone
(802) 635-2331
Website
vec.coop
Service Hours
Mon–Fri, 7 AM–5 PM
Everything you need to know about VEC's BYOD battery demand-response program.
The Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) Flexible Load Battery Program is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) demand-response program. You purchase and own a home battery, enroll it in VEC's program, and VEC dispatches energy from your battery during peak demand events. In return, you receive bill credits on your VEC account. Unlike GMP's lease program, VEC does not provide the battery — you supply it.
Bill credits depend on the number of dispatch events in a given year and your battery's capacity. VEC typically runs peak events during hot summer afternoons and cold winter evenings. On average, VEC members with enrolled batteries report $50–$150 in annual bill credits depending on battery size and event frequency. During high-demand summers, credits can be higher. Contact VEC directly for the current per-event credit rate.
GMP (Green Mountain Power) offers both a lease program ($55/month for 2 Powerwalls) and a one-time BYOD incentive ($850–$950/kW, max $10,500, deadline Sept 30, 2026). VEC's program is BYOD-only — you buy the battery yourself, and VEC pays you ongoing bill credits per dispatch event rather than a one-time payment. VEC serves ~10% of Vermont (mostly rural central and northeast VT), while GMP covers ~75% of the state.
VEC's program accepts several major battery brands including Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 5P, Franklin aPower2, and sonnenCore+. The battery must support remote dispatch through VEC's demand response system and be professionally installed. Contact VEC for the current approved device list, as new models are added periodically.
Yes. Pairing solar with a battery in VEC territory creates a strong synergy. Your solar panels charge the battery for free during the day, and VEC can dispatch that stored solar energy during evening peak events. VEC's net metering rate credits you at ~$0.18/kWh. Batteries shift more solar production to self-consumption (avoiding export at the lower NM rate), improving your solar ROI even at VEC's lower rates.
VEC's blended retail rate is approximately $0.18/kWh — lower than GMP ($0.2146/kWh) and Burlington Electric ($0.1837/kWh). Lower rates extend solar payback slightly compared to GMP territory. A typical 10 kW system in VEC territory saves approximately $2,100/year (vs. $2,520/year in GMP territory). VEC's payback for cash-purchased solar is approximately 14–16 years in 2026 with no federal tax credit.
Yes. The VEC Flexible Load Battery Program is available exclusively to Vermont Electric Cooperative members. VEC serves approximately 75 towns primarily in central and northeastern Vermont. If you receive your electricity bill from VEC, you are a member. Contact VEC at (802) 635-2331 to confirm your membership and program eligibility.
No. The residential Section 25D tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is currently no federal tax credit for homeowner-purchased home batteries. However, if you install solar + battery through a lease or PPA where a financing company owns the system, that third-party owner can claim the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%), which is still active for systems beginning construction before July 4, 2026. VEC's battery program requires you to own the battery, so the 48/48E does not apply.
Contact Vermont Electric Cooperative directly to start the enrollment process: visit vec.coop or call (802) 635-2331. VEC will review your battery's technical specifications, confirm compatibility, and walk you through the interconnection paperwork. Professional installation by a licensed electrician is required. Once approved, VEC will install the communications equipment needed to remotely dispatch your battery during peak events.
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