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Roof and Solar Reviews
Burlington, Vermont

Roof + Solar Bundle Companies in Burlington

Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a progressive hub that achieved 100% renewable electricity for the entire city in 2014 — the first mid-sized American city to do so. Burlington Electric Department (BED) generates power from wind, hydro, wood chips, and solar, and BED's electricity rate of $0.19/kWh is notably lower than the rest of Vermont. While lower rates slightly reduce raw monthly savings, Burlington homeowners still benefit from Vermont's strong net metering program, property and sales tax exemptions, and BED's innovative solar and storage programs.

Good
Solar Potential
~$0.19/kWh
Electric Rate
$1,500–$2,500/year
Est. Annual Savings
10–15 years
Est. Payback Period

Why Burlington Homeowners Are Going Solar in 2026

Burlington homeowners served by BED enjoy lower electricity rates than the rest of Vermont — but solar still makes strong financial sense when combined with Vermont's net metering program, 100% property tax exemption (for systems under 50 kW), and 6% sales tax exemption on equipment. For homeowners interested in energy storage, BED offers community solar options and battery storage initiatives. Vermont's commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 (H.289) ensures continued policy support for residential solar.

Available Incentives for Burlington Homeowners

Burlington homeowners qualify for Vermont net metering through BED (at BED's competitive rates), a 100% property tax exemption on solar-added home value (systems under 50 kW, 25-year duration), a 6% sales tax exemption on solar equipment, and BED-specific solar and storage programs. Burlington Electric has achieved 100% renewable electricity — rooftop solar reduces grid demand and supports BED's renewable goals.

Full Vermont incentive guide

Our Top Pick for Burlington

Editor's Choice — Burlington

Sunergy Solutions

Londonderry, New Hampshire

3.6
out of 5.0

<p>Sunergy Solutions has accomplished something remarkable in just five years: they've built an operational footprint spanning seven states and a customer satisfaction record that most solar companies never achieve. The 146 five-star reviews on SolarReviews — all five stars, with an average of 4.91 — reflect genuine customer satisfaction, not just a handful of well-timed referral requests. For New England homeowners in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine who struggle to find experienced local solar installers, Sunergy is one of the few companies with real regional infrastructure and a proven track record of delivery.</p> <p>The Enphase Platinum Installer credential is worth noting. Enphase is one of the two dominant inverter manufacturers in residential solar, and Platinum status reflects high installation volume, technical training, and demonstrated customer satisfaction on Enphase systems. That kind of manufacturer certification is a meaningful quality signal, particularly for homeowners who want panel-level monitoring and the reliability of a well-supported microinverter system. NABCEP certification adds another layer of professional credibility.</p> <p>Where we'd encourage careful conversation: Sunergy's roofing work involves subcontractors in some states — common for companies with wide geographic coverage but worth understanding before signing. Ask specifically who is performing the roofing work on your project. Additionally, Sunergy's financing options are narrower than some competitors — they don't offer leases or PPAs by choice, which is a principled position but limits options for homeowners who need a $0-upfront structure. Their workmanship warranty of 20 years is solid, though it falls short of Evergreen's 25-year standard. Founded in 2020, they're also one of the newer companies in our review — the five-year track record is encouraging, but it's shorter than more established competitors like Trinity Solar (1994) or Evergreen Solar.</p>

146 five-star reviews on SolarReviews (4.91/5) — one of the strongest independent review records in the region
Enphase Platinum Installer status — top-tier certification from one of the leading inverter manufacturers
NABCEP certified technicians — the solar industry's most rigorous professional credential
Broadest service area of any company reviewed — 7 states including all of New England plus Virginia

All Companies Serving Burlington

These companies are rated and reviewed by our editorial team. All ratings reflect our 5-category methodology.

1

Sunergy Solutions

Top Pick

Londonderry, New Hampshire

Solar + roofing + gutters across 7 states — broadest coverage of any company reviewed, with 146 five-star SolarReviews and Enphase Platinum Installer status

3.6
/ 5.0
4.9★ Google
2

New England Energy Experts

Melrose, MA

Solar + roof as "one seamless installation" — bilingual service with strong Spanish-language outreach

3
/ 5.0
4.3★ Google

Burlington's Electric Utility

Burlington Electric Department (BED)

Burlington is served by Burlington Electric Department (BED), with electricity rates averaging ~$0.19/kWh — among the highest in the region. These rates are what make solar so financially compelling for Burlington homeowners: every kWh your solar system produces is worth more when rates are high.

Avg Electric Rate
~$0.19/kWh
Typical System Size
7–10 kW

Burlington Home & Roof Profile

Understanding the local housing stock helps you assess your own home's solar suitability. Here's what's typical for Burlington:

Typical Home Age

Mix of 1900–1960 colonials and Victorians, plus 1970s–1990s construction in New North End and South End

Common Roof Types

  • Asphalt shingle (most common)
  • Standing seam metal (increasingly popular in Vermont)
  • Cedar shake (older Hill Section homes)
  • Some flat/low-slope on South End commercial-residential buildings

Roof + Solar Bundle advantage: Burlington's older homes often have roofs that are due for replacement. A roof + solar bundle replaces your aging roof and adds solar panels in a single project — avoiding the $3,000–$8,000 cost of removing and re-installing panels later when the roof fails. Our guide on how bundles work explains the full economics.

Permits & HOA Considerations in Burlington

Permit Process

Burlington requires building and electrical permits for solar installations, processed through the Burlington Department of Planning and Zoning. Turnaround is typically 3–5 weeks. Vermont's Section 248a permitting framework may apply to some larger or more complex systems, but most residential rooftop installations proceed through standard local permitting. BED interconnection typically takes 4–8 weeks.

HOA & Historic District Rules

Vermont law prohibits municipalities from unreasonably restricting solar energy through zoning and land use regulations (Act 174/Act 38). Burlington's zoning ordinance does not restrict residential rooftop solar. The Hill Section and Church Street area have a Local Historic District designation — properties here may require Design Review Board approval for visible rooftop changes. Most Burlington homeowners face no effective solar restrictions.

What Can Burlington Homeowners Save?

Solar savings in Burlington depend on your home's electricity usage, roof size and orientation, system size, and which financing option you choose. Here are typical benchmarks based on our research:

$1,500–$2,500/year
Estimated Annual Savings
7–10 kW
Typical System Size
10–15 years
Estimated Payback

With $0 down financing (lease or PPA), there's no upfront cost and your monthly energy payment is typically 25–45% less than your current Burlington Electric Department (BED) bill — you start saving on day one. With purchased systems (cash or loan), payback typically ranges from 10–15 years, after which your electricity is essentially free. Read our guide on $0 down solar financing for a full breakdown of how these numbers work.

Frequently Asked Questions — Burlington Solar

How does net metering work through Burlington Electric Department?

Burlington Electric Department's net metering program credits customers for excess solar electricity exported to the grid. BED administers its own program with rates tied to its avoided cost of electricity. Credits accumulate on your bill and offset future electricity charges. BED also offers community solar subscriptions for Burlington renters or homeowners with shading or structural issues. Contact BED directly for current net metering rates and program details.

If Burlington already runs on 100% renewable electricity, why add rooftop solar?

Burlington's 100% renewable electricity comes from large-scale renewable sources — wind, hydro, and biomass — not from individual rooftop systems. Adding rooftop solar reduces your household electricity demand on BED's grid, directly lowers your monthly electricity bill, and provides backup power resilience with battery storage. Adding solar is still financially beneficial and supports Burlington's broader clean energy goals.

Does Burlington have solar restrictions in its historic Hill Section?

Burlington's Historic District Design Review applies to properties in the Battery Street/Church Street/Hill Section corridor. Solar panels visible from public streets in these areas may require Design Review Board approval. Many Burlington homeowners in the Hill Section install panels on rear-facing slopes to avoid the review process. Outside the historic district, Burlington has no solar restrictions.

Which solar + roof bundle company is best for Burlington homeowners?

Sunergy Solutions is our top pick for the Burlington area, with experience in BED interconnection and Vermont's permitting requirements. NE Energy Experts also serves the Burlington metro area and specializes in Vermont solar projects. See our Vermont company rankings for detailed comparisons.

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Burlington Solar Stats

Solar PotentialGood
UtilityBurlington Electric Department (BED)
Avg Electric Rate~$0.19/kWh
Typical System7–10 kW
Est. Annual Savings$1,500–$2,500/year