Q1: How does membership in the TES Array work? Do I have to put money down up front to buy part of the array or buy into the array?

A1: There is no upfront cost to join the TES Array! Customers do not pay for their membership or own the array.

Customers enter into a Community Solar Subscription Agreement (CSSA), also known as a Net-Metering Agreement, with TES Solar LLC, which owns the array.

Q2: Will Customers in the TES Array be paying two separate bills once the array is generating?

A2: Yes. Customers will continue to pay their GMP bill as normal. Net-metering credits from the array (in dollars) will be applied to the Customer’s GMP bill, reducing what the Customer owes to GMP. For every dollar of net-metering credit received on the GMP bill, the Customer will pay $0.93 to TES Solar LLC.

Q3: What happens if Customers sign up for more electricity than they use in a certain month?

A3: It is okay if a Customer receives more credits in a certain month than they can use – GMP automatically rolls forward net-metering credits for use in future months. Those credits are “banked” for up to 12 months from the time they were generated. The JTEC will assist Customers in matching their annual GMP bills to the appropriate amount of net-metering credits.

Q4: Are Customers that receive net-metering credits from the TES Array allowed to also have onsite solar where they live?

A4: Yes.

Q5: Are Customers that receive net-metering credits from the TES Array allowed to receive credits from another community array?

A5: A GMP Customer Account/Meter can be associated with only one group/community array.

Q6: If someone has more than one GMP account, can they participate in multiple separate community arrays?

A6: Yes. Each separate GMP Account can participate in a separate community/group array.

Q7: If a Customer’s usage increases down the road, can they increase their allocation from the TES array at that time?

A7: Maybe. Customers interested in adjusting their allocation should contact the Joint Thetford Energy Committee (JTEC) or TES Solar LLC.

Q8: If a Customer anticipates increased usage down the road, can they sign up for that increased amount now?

A8: Generally, it would not be a good practice to sign up for more than you currently need.

Q9: How long will the contracts be written for? 

A9: 15 years, with two optional 5-year extensions.

Q10: What are the options if a customer moves out of their house before the end of the contact?

A10: As long as the Customer remains in GMP territory, the Customer can continue their contract. The amount of credits may need to be reviewed. If the Customer will no longer be in GMP Service Territory or receive a bill from GMP, they can transfer their contract to whoever moves into the Property that the Customer’s GMP Account was serving.  Customer’s interested in adjusting, transferring, or discontinuing their contract should contact the JTEC or TES Solar LLC.

Q11: What happens if the array fails to generate as much power in certain months as Customers expected?

A11: Customers pay only for the credits received on their bill. If fewer credits are supplied, fewer credits are paid for.

Q12: If a GMP Customer who wants to buy from the TES array currently has a peak-use and much cheaper off-peak-use purchase agreement with GMP, can they maintain that with the TES credits and how would that work.

A: The GMP Customer should check with GMP for their specific situation.

Q: Would a person whose current income qualifies for and receives help through the state Energy Assistance Program for their GMP bills, actually receive at least the same or better discount with this new array?

A: The Customer should check in directly with GMP with respects to their specific situation.

For more information on participating in the TES solar array, including a copy of the Letter of Intent, see https://www.thetfordvt.gov/government/energy-committee or contact Harry Falconer, http://hfalconer@trorc.org or 802.457.3188 x3013.