Choosing the Right Renewable Energy Plan

There’s more than one way to power your home with renewable energy. Whether you’re looking for a renewable electricity plan, an option that fits your EV charging routine or a solar buyback plan for your rooftop solar system, you can find a plan designed around how you use energy.

Explore your renewable energy options and find the plan that fits your home, lifestyle and energy goals.

Green Mountain Energy offers renewable electricity plans for different energy needs. A renewable electricity plan doesn't necessarily require rooftop solar panels. A solar buyback plan is designed for eligible homes with solar panels and provides bill credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid.

Renewable energy plans without solar panels

No panels? No problem. You don't need rooftop solar panels to power your home with renewable energy. Green Mountain Energy offers renewable electricity plans backed by wind or solar energy, giving homeowners and renters a way to choose cleaner electricity without installing a solar system.

The right plan depends on how and when you use electricity. If you drive an EV, for example, a plan with lower overnight electricity prices may help you shift charging to lower-priced hours.

Electric vehicle (EV) electricity plan for overnight charging

The Solar All Nighter for EVs plan is ideal for EV owners who usually charge their vehicle at home overnight. You'll get a lower energy price starting at 8 p.m. through 6 a.m., giving you 10 hours each night to plug in your vehicle and make the most of the plan's lower nighttime price. During the rest of the day, you'll pay a fixed energy price. 

Your home and EV charging are backed by 100% solar energy. That means your morning coffee, evening movie and overnight charging routine can all support renewable energy without requiring panels on your roof. 

This plan may be a great fit if: 

• You own or lease and EV
• You usually charge your vehicle overnight
• You can shift other energy usage to 8 p.m. through 6 a.m.
• You want a fixed-rate plan backed by 100% solar energy

Solar buyback plans for homes with solar panel

If your home has rooftop solar panels, a solar buyback plan can help you get more value from the electricity your system produces. When your panels generate more electricity than your home uses, eligible excess energy can be sent to the grid in exchange for bill credits.

Green Mountain Energy offers different Renewable Rewards® buyback options, so it's important to compare how credits are calculated, whether there are limits on the credits you can earn and how much electricity your home typically uses.

Solar buyback plan with credits based on your usage

The Renewable Rewards Essential plan offers a simple buyback structure for solar panel owners who want their solar credits to be tied to their monthly grid usage.

You’ll earn bill credits for eligible excess solar energy sent to the grid, up to the amount of energy you draw from the grid during a billing period. The buyback price matches your plan’s energy charge price.

Here’s an example: If you draw 800 kWh from the grid and send 900 kWh back, you’ll receive credits for 800 kWh. The additional 100 kWh will still go to the grid for others to use, but it won’t allow you to earn another bill credit.

This plan may be a good match if:

• Your panels send about as much electricity to the grid as your home draws
• Your system doesn't regularly produce more excess electricity than your monthly grid usage
• You want a straightforward monthly credit limit
• You want the buyback price to match your plan's energy charge price

Solar buyback plan with uncapped excess energy credits

The Renewable Rewards Solar Credit gives you credit for 100% of the excess solar energy generation you send to the electricity grid, and there's no limit on the amount of credit you can earn. And the buyback price is lower than the energy charge price for the electricity you draw from the grid. 

For example, if you draw 800 kWh from the grid and send 900 kWh back, all 900 kWh can earn credits at the plan's applicable buyback price. 

This plan may fit your home if: 

• Your panels regularly product more energy than your home needs 
• An uncapped credit structure matters more to you than a buyback price that matches your energy charge price

The right renewable energy plan depends on your home, electricity usage and energy goals. When comparing plans, consider:

Do you have rooftop solar panels? If you don't have solar panels, you can still choose a renewable electricity plan backed by wind or solar energy. If you do have solar panels, you may want to compare solar buyback plans that provide credits for eligible excess electricity sent to the grid.

When do you use the most electricity? Consider your daily energy habits. If you can shift electricity use to certain hours such as charging an EV overnight, a time-of-use plan may fit your routine.

How much electricity does your home use? Review previous electricity bills to understand your typical monthly kWh usage. For homes with solar, also consider how much electricity your system generates and sends back to the grid.

How do solar buyback credits work? If you have rooftop solar, compare how each plan calculates credits for excess electricity, whether credits are capped and the rate used to value the electricity you send to the grid.

What does the Electricity Facts Label say? Before enrolling, review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for details about the plan's energy charge, average price at different usage levels, contract term, renewable content and other applicable charges.