PUC Says Progress Being Made on Solar Negotiations — But More Time Needed

PUC Says Progress Being Made on Solar Negotiations — But More Time Needed

Posted By admin On March 11, 2011 @ 4:31 pm In ARCHIVES, Feature Articles | No Comments

Negotiations between Colorado’s solar industry and Xcel Energy concerning restarting the utility’s Solar*Rewards rebate program are progressing, Xcel told state regulators late Thursday. However, additional time is needed to reach a final agreement, according to the utility’s filing at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
Several stakeholder groups have been involved in this week’s negotiations, led by the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association which has warned that keeping the solar incentives at the reduced level will devastate the industry. Environmental and business groups are also at the table. Stay with Colorado Energy News for the latest on this huge issue.
By Ann Rascalli

If an agreement could, indeed, be reached within that time, the commissioners said they would consider approving a settlement. Without an agreement, the commissioners said they may take steps to resurrect Xcel’s Solar*Rewards rebate program in some form on a temporary basis until long-term decisions can be made.

The rebate issue broke out in mid-February when Colorado’s largest utility abrumptly cut solar rebate levels from $2.35 per watt to $2.01 per watt, and the following day stopped taking new applications for the Solar*Rewards program — at least until Xcel reopens it.

Since then, sales of PV systems in the state have virtually dried up, according to the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA), and the trade group warned that layoffs across the industry are coming.

Xcel has asked the PUC to cut the rebate levels to $1.25 per watt. CoSEIA wants the commission to keep rebates flowing — at some level — until the regulatory agency make a decision to approve or deny Xcel’s request.

“The PUC is moving very quickly on this issue, reinforcing the fact that they see the need to get this resolved before there’s any more economic damage to this industry,” said Neal Lurie, CoSEIA’s executive director. The Solar*Rewards program is funded by a 2 percent surcharge on the monthly bills of the utility’s Colorado customers, a small price to pay for clean energy say supporters.

“We’re happy to come to the table with the solar industry to try to reach an agreement,” said Michelle Aguayo, a spokeswoman for Xcel. “It’s always been our goal to get this program restarted in a form that is fair and equitable.”


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