Address+University+Concerns


 * 1) Procurement:
 * Sole source for tracking--no bidding possible
 * 1) Cost Benefit of Fixed v. Tracking Panels:
 * Conduct cost benefit analysis
 * 1) Green Mountain Power Concerns:
 * Investigate limit on amt. of energy UVM can backfeed into the grid and contact Green Mountain Power to see if this is still an issue
 * Would updates to existing grid infrastructure be needed?
 * If so, what would be the cost/feasibility?
 * The power purchase agreement will not cover this expense, who will?
 * 1) Permitting:
 * Investigate permitting and expense for new alternative energy installations
 * 1) Long-Term Land Use Potential:
 * Contact Provost to ensure that using land for alternative energy purposes will not conflict with long-term land use plans for the university
 * Look at UVM university master plan for potential sites:
 * Look at Burlington master plan for potential sites:
 * 1) Costs to University v. Potential Savings:
 * Investigate Green Mountain Power Rebate System:
 * Assess current rate for kilowatt hours
 * Potential savings to university:
 * 1) Environmental Impact and Site Maintenance:
 * Conduct or propose environmental impact study of potential site
 * Who will maintain this site? Contact UVM grounds maintenance

Dear Green Mountain Power Corporation, My name is Cale Whitcomb and I am a student in the Rubinstein School of Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. I am writing to see if there is a possibility of expanding the number of solar trackers on the USDA Forest Service property along Spear Street. I am part of a group who is trying to get more solar panels approved for the property. I am hoping to get a few questions answered to determine if an expansion in the solar field is possible. Our ultimate goal is to produce enough solar energy to make the Aiken Center (our schools main building), a net-zero energy building. We are thinking the solar field needs to have somewhere around 50 photovoltaic trackers total to meet the net-zero goal. Do you think the power line connecting to the grid would be able to handle the production of more trackers? If the line can hold more power, do you have an idea how much more? Also, is there a limit to how much power the trackers can feed into the system? If so, what is the limit, and about how much of the limit is currently being used by the current trackers? If the system cannot handle the output of more solar panels, do you have an idea how much it would cost to upgrade the system so it could support more panels? Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in providing responses to the above questions we look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Cale Whitcomb from the Rubinstein School of Natural Resources
 * Letter to Green Mountain Power**

Hi Cale,
 * GMP response**

First off, I apologize for the late response to your request. I have been meaning to send you an email but things got really busy on my end the past few weeks.

To answer your questions, GMP doesn’t provide a pre-screening of these systems due to the number of proposed applications we receive every day. Per the VT Public Service Board (PSB) rule, we would need to review each application as they are received by submitting the proper application. In order for us to know how much capacity we can handle at that point, we’ll need to conduct a review as each system is unique than others.

Though what I can give you are some tips or things to watch for when it comes to sizing this application. Our records show that you have about 65 kW-AC of solar installed at the USDA forest service property. If you plan to expand this system, you would need to take the existing capacity into consideration with the your new proposed system. The reason I pointed this out is that there are two interconnection screening rules that we adhere per the VT PSB. These rules are the Rule 5.100 and Rule 5.500, which both are capacity and generation type driven, which in this case you only need to worry about the capacity since you have solar system. Rule 5.100 is a more lenient rule that doesn’t mandate for strict interconnection guidelines and timelines. Though the maximum capacity is up to 150kW-AC (DC rating multiplied by .95). Once you’re over 150kW you are bounded by Rule 5.500 which also has some initial down payment for fast track review (as necessary). You can check out these rules on VT PSB’s website for more information.

And as far as the location of the system, I suspect that it can handle a fair amount of generation at the site based on the system information. The system that the USDA Forest Service is tied to has a 12.47kV operating voltage and has a decent system strength. But please note that this assumption is only based on my experience and a __system review is needed to determine the adverse impacts in the system__. My suggestion to you is to work with the developers in the area as they have experience working with us. You can then submit an application to us based on your need and we will review this application and will give you a recommendation as necessary.

Please let me know if this answers your questions. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any other inquiries about this project.

Thank you,

Dan