Group Net Metering via Acorn Energy Solar One, LLC (AESO)
Acorn Energy Solar One, LLC (AESO)
After more than a year of hard work, Acorn Energy Solar One (AESO) the solar array behind the Police Station on Lucius Shaw Lane in Middlebury, is now up and running and feeding local energy into the grid. Acorn Energy Solar One, LLC is the company we have created to own and operate the 150 kW photovoltaic solar array. The project is a collaboration between the Acorn Energy Co-op, Co-operative Insurance Companies of Middlebury, and the Town of Middlebury. All necessary permits were received and financing was completed in late Ocber, 20011. Construction began in mid November and was completed in late December. An experienced contractor, Alteris Renewables, the company that built the 1-megawatt solar farm on Route 7 near Vergennes, also constructed AESO.
Construction Pictures
To see a slideshow of construction pictures, click here
Subscriber Details
We reserved one-third of the total system output for a limited number of Acorn Energy Co-op members. In order to participate, each subscriber paid a membership fee of $2,000 which will draw interest at 2% paid annually. This qualifys the subscriber to purchase a 2% share of the array's electrical output from CVPS and receive a two cent per kWh rebate, which will be credited to their utility bill each month for 25 years. Starting in year 11, the rebate amount will increase to five cents per kWh and a portion of the membership fee will be repaid each year until the fee is fully repaid. Sixteen AEC members have signed up.
You must be an existing CVPS customer, and participation is limited to lifetime Acorn Energy Co-op members. As of November 21, 2011 the project was fully subscribed. We have started a waiting list for possible future subscriptions if a space opens up. The waiting list also applies to our second community solar project, Acorn Energy Solar 2, which is in the early planning stages as of January 2012 (note: the exact details of participation in AES2 have not yet been determined). Contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
A more detailed description of the opportunity is here. Once you've reviewed this, you may download the Group Net Metering Agreement and Member Signature Page.
Sign Up Instructions
If you wish to sign up for a $2,000 AESO membership and are either already a Lifetime Co-op member or are willing to become one by paying the balance remaining, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . with any questions, or simply fill out the Member Signature Page and send it along with a check for $2,000 made out to "Acorn Enregy Solar One, LLC" to: AESO, PO Box 65, Middlebury, VT 05753.
To become an Acorn Energy Co-op member, click here, note your interest in AESO on the application and send it in with a check for the remaining amount due on your lifetime membership, made out to Acorn Energy Co-op. This second check should be included in the same envelope.
