GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER
Green Mountain Power Announces Partnership with Green Mountain Solar for Resilient Neighborhood Program in South Burlington

Highlights

• Vermont-based Green Mountain Solar selected to install rooftop systems on homes in new all-electric neighborhood
• Rooftop solar paired with Tesla Powerwall battery storage to ensure reliability for homeowners during increasingly severe weather
• Batteries can be used as stored clean energy during peak demand to reduce costs for all customers

Green Mountain Power (GMP) announced today (Aug 2) that local solar company Green Mountain Solar of South Burlington was selected as the exclusive rooftop solar installer for the Resilient Neighborhood program, an all-electric, fully storm resilient neighborhood under construction in South Burlington in partnership with the Vermont property development company O'Brien Brothers. GMP and O'Brien Brothers announced the first of its kind neighborhood of 155 homes called Hillside East at O'Brien Farm in May.

"As a local company committed to our state, we're excited to work with GMP and O'Brien Brothers on this innovative neighborhood and install rooftop systems for battery recharging. At GMS we're focused on helping build more resilient energy systems for our customers.  Severe weather is increasing, and the combination of energy storage plus rooftop solar panels will keep these homes powered up through storms," said Paul Lesure, Founder and President of Green Mountain Solar.

Construction is already underway with the first homes expected to be complete this fall. Each home in the neighborhood comes equipped with resiliency features including Powerwall batteries for storage and backup power, and a rooftop solar system to keep the batteries charged. The solar and storage combination provides benefits to both the homeowner during storms and all customers on the grid when the batteries are used during peak power days like a heat wave, lowering costs and carbon for all.

"Our Resilient Neighborhood Program serves as a model for the rest of the country that can be replicated to reduce carbon and protect homes from the impacts of increasingly damaging weather," said Mari McClure, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. "This project is made possible by great partnerships with local businesses in Vermont, and we're thrilled to use this as a model for more neighborhoods around Vermont."

Along with home batteries and rooftop solar, each home will have EV chargers, all electric appliances including ducted heat pump systems, and Span Smart Panels which allow homeowners to easily manage their usage and resiliency.

"O'Brien Brothers is committed to building beautiful and resilient neighborhoods for the present and for the future; including homes that are highly energy efficient, provide a more comfortable living environment for our homeowners, and are more resilient to climate change including onsite energy generation and storage," shared Evan Langfeldt, President and CEO of O'Brien Brothers. "We understand there is a need for urgency of action when it comes to fortifying ourselves from the impacts of climate change, and we are proud to do that work alongside such forward thinking partners as Green Mountain Power and Green Mountain Solar."

GMP plans to build on this pilot with more storm resilient all-electric neighborhoods as part of its Resilient Neighborhoods Program. You can learn more about design options and pricing at Hillside East at O'Brien Farm.

About Green Mountain Power

Green Mountain Power serves more than 270,000 residential and business customers in Vermont with electricity that's 100% carbon free and 78% renewable on an annual basis, and GMP is partnering with customers to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is providing solutions to cut carbon and is delivering electricity that is clean, affordable, and always on. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2022, GMP was named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies. Fast Company named GMP one of the top five Most Innovative Companies in North America in 2022. GMP also earned a spot on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in the World list in the energy sector four years in a row, and in 2023 and 2021 the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation. 

About Green Mountain Solar

Green Mountain Solar serves residential, commercial, and municipal clients throughout the state of Vermont. Green Mountain Solar is an affiliate of Granite State Solar, which has been in the solar business continuously since 2008. With significant industry knowledge and experience, Green Mountain Solar excels at finding solutions that meet its customer's energy needs. All of Green Mountain Solar's installations are performed by in-house staff of electricians never subcontracted. Green Mountain Solar's customers recognize its commitment to quality with a 4.9 rating across 150 customer reviews in Vermont. Green Mountain Solar prides itself on its no-pressure sales approach and focuses instead on educating its customers on the benefits of solar, not only as a smart financial investment, but also as an avenue for a cleaner energy future. 

About O'Brien Brothers

O'Brien Brothers has been a leader in constructing quality residential and commercial properties and planned communities in Vermont for 65 years. The late Leo O'Brien, Jr., and Daniel J. O'Brien founded the business in 1958, and it remains family-owned and deeply rooted in South Burlington. Inspired by a family heritage of local stewardship, O'Brien Brothers' mission is to add to the quality of life for the communities in which they do business, by creating vibrant neighborhoods, offering homes for families and multi-generational residents and providing commercial space for start-ups and seasoned businesses. The company, now led by Evan Langfeldt as president & CEO, owns and operates a variety of commercial and residential both market rate and affordable properties throughout Chittenden County, Vermont, including in Burlington, South Burlington, Shelburne, Williston and Colchester. For more information on the company visit obrienbrothersvt.com, and for more information on the project visit hillsidevt.com.