Colorado regulators tighten rooftop solar-energy incentives

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a new solar rewards program for Xcel Energy that does away with upfront cash incentives for solar panels that amount to thousands of dollars to homeowners. The commissioners also capped the number of solar installations eligible for subsidies in part to address a $32 million deficit in the fund that finances the program. The decision was one of "balancing competing views" from consumer and renewable-energy advocates, said PUC chairman Josh Epel. The plan will provide total financial subsidies for up to 36 megawatts a year of commercial, residential and "solar gardens" for 2012 and 2013. Under the present plan — in which 38 megawatts were added in 2011 — the upfront subsidy is $1 a watt. It also pays 9 cents for each kilowatt that a solar installation generates. The average solar installation for a Colorado home is about 5.5 kilowatts, and the upfront incentive is on average worth about $5,500. The plan approved Thursday provides a subsidy on a sliding scale for kilowatts generated, without the upfront payment. The first residential units approved this year will get a 15-cent per kilowatt payment. By the end of 2013, the payment for new systems will be down to 11 cents. "We don't know if residential customers are going to want to pay for systems without upfront subsidies," said Ron Davis, a commission staff adviser. The plan also dedicates six of the megawatts to "solar garden" community-based installations that several homes share. That leaves 30 megawatts to homes and business, industry executives say. Xcel had offered the commission three options: • A minimum plan: 16 megawatts. • A medium plan: 36 megawatts. • A high plan: 60 megawatts. The utility's preferred plan was for 36 megawatts, and a commission administrative law judge agreed. Since 2006, Xcel has provided $256 million in rebates and credits for about 10,500 commercial and residential solar arrays. The money has come from a 2 percent renewable-energy charge on customer bills — but that fund is now $32 million in the red. The state Office of Consumer Counsel and the PUC staff argued that the 16-megawatt plan be adopted to curb the costs of the program. "Less than 1 percent of Xcel customers benefited, but we have to think about all the ratepayers," said Bill Levis, director of the consumer counsel office. Xcel said in its filings that the deficit will be erased by 2017. The commission is expected to issue its written order the first week in June, at which time the plan will go into effect. Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or mjaffe@denverpost.com Read more: Colorado regulators tighten rooftop solar-energy incentives - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20706345/colorado-regulators-tighten-rooftop-solar-energy-incentives#ixzz1wGykFqdC Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Denver mayor touts world energy forum and renewable energy job growth in Colorado

The inaugural World Renewable Energy Forum will come to the Denver Convention Center in a week, bringing thousands of representatives from 66 countries. The event "will be the first time that solar energy powerhouses will come together under one roof to advance the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies worldwide," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said today. "We are excited to host this inaugural event with global energy leaders to discuss how to meet the world's economic, environmental and security challenges through the advancement of renewable energy technologies," said the mayor. While touting the forum, Hancock also said that Denver "is a national leader in the energy industry" and the forum will "shine a bright spotlight on this booming sector." "Job growth is happening right here in Denver by renewable energy companies from around the nation and around the world, and by the city and county of Denver," said the mayor. Hancock said that since 2010, more than 100 jobs have been created through programs and initiatives managed by the city. And as recently as this week, he added, the city has launched a call center and hired three employees to assist Denver residents and businesses on their path to save energy as a part of the Denver Energy Challenge. The program is a free residential and commercial energy program provided by the city to help residents and businesses to cut energy waste, save money and increase indoor comfort and air quality, he said. "Now as we look ahead, Denver's green economy is a top for my administration," said the mayor. "It is our intention under that plan to recruit more businesses in the sector and retain the ones that already call Denver home." The mayor's office noted that in the past two years, more than 20 solar and wind companies have announced they would either expand or relocate to Denver and the region, leading to an overall 6.4 percent growth rate in the energy sector in 2011 . This growth is directly attributable to some of the world's largest energy industry leaders such as SMA Solar Technology, General Electric and Vestas expanding or relocating in the region, which has resulted in the creation of more than 21,000 jobs and Colorado leading the nation in solar jobs per capita, the mayor's office said. Dr. Chuck Kutscher, who is the program chair for the World Renewable Energy Forum, praised Denver. "Denver and the metro-area are widely recognized as leaders in innovative, sustainable energy technologies which is exactly why it is the perfect venue for the conference," said Kutscher. Read more: Denver mayor touts world energy forum and renewable energy job growth in Colorado - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20540819/denver-mayor-touts-world-energy-forum-and-renewable#ixzz1trREFWRp Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse