Holy Cross plan could spur local green energy projects
Timing of effort during campaign raises concern from utility critic
SCOTT CONDON
ASPEN CORRESPONDENT
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
ASPEN, Colorado — A new initiative by Holy Cross Energy could spur development of solar and wind farms in the Roaring Fork Valley and possibly hydro and biomass plants.
The Holy Cross board of directors voted at its monthly meeting in May to put out two requests for proposals — one seeking production of up to one megawatt of solar photovoltaic power and another seeking up to 10 megawatts of non-solar energy generation.
Holy Cross currently has nearly 1.5 megawatts of locally produced renewable energy in its power mix, mostly from individual solar electric systems at homes and businesses, said Steve Casey, member services and marketing administrator. The utility cooperative has given $2.2 million in rebates to 260 projects that installed renewable power since September 2004, he said.
The two requests for proposals are an attempt to ramp up the locally produced renewable energy. The request for the solar PV projects will probably be issued in late July or early August with the other request going out soon after.
If there are developers out there “raring to go,” there could be green projects producing power for Holy Cross as soon as late 2011, Casey said. The Holy Cross board will review any proposals that are submitted and make sure it can acquire the electricity at a favorable rate for its members before signing agreements, Casey said.
Any proposal that is accepted would be for home-grown projects in the Holy Cross territory, which includes parts of the Roaring Fork and Eagle valleys as well as the Interstate 70 corridor in Garfield County.
One megawatt of solar PV is enough to fully power about 200 homes. Large-scale biomass and hydro projects operate full-time, round the clock, so their production of green energy is even greater. So, if projects with 11 megawatts of power are constructed it would add enough clean energy for thousands of a homes in the Holy Cross service area.
In addition to seeking the green projects, the Holy Cross board voted unanimously on May 19 to offer up to $250,000 in rebates for medium-scale renewable energy projects that produce between 25 and 100 kilowatts of clean power. The utility already is offering up to $600,000 for smaller renewable energy projects installed by its members, primarily home solar PV systems.
The Holy Cross board's votes come at a time when the utility is under scrutiny by environmentalists for its energy efficiency and renewable energy practices. There are elections this spring for two of the seven positions on the board of directors. Incumbents are being challenged by candidates that want more action faster on efficiency and renewables.
Auden Schendler, director of sustainability for the Aspen Skiing Co. and a Holy Cross watchdog, criticized the utility for the timing of its actions on the renewable energy initiatives.
“It doesn't matter if it was a coincidence or not,” Schendler said. “It's easy enough for Holy Cross to ensure an untainted election by simply delaying by a few weeks anything at all that might influence the election.”
Holy Cross members received their ballot by mail in mid-May. They have until June 5 to vote. In the southern district, which stretches from Aspen to Missouri Heights, incumbent board member Bob Starodoj is facing a challenge from Dave Munk. Environmentalists have mounted a letter-writing campaign in favor of Munk.
In the northern district, in the Eagle Valley, incumbent Michael Glass is facing a challenge from William Maxwell and Erik Lundquist.
Schendler criticized Holy Cross for issuing a recent press release “on how green they are during an election where the incumbents are being attacked for not being green enough.” He believes it favors the incumbents, intentional or not.
Holy Cross board chairman Tom Turnbull said the full board's vote on the renewable energy initiatives was “absolutely not” timed to coincide with the election. The management, staff and directors have work underway on a wide variety of projects. Internal factors dictate when they are ready to be acted on, not politics, he said.
A press release was issued about the board's actions because the entire board agreed Holy Cross needs to do a better job of informing members and the public about its activities.
“I see it as a change of philosophy from going about our own business to tooting our horn a little bit,” Turnbull said.
The bottom line of the board's vote is a greener Holy Cross, which is what many of the utility's critics want. But Schendler said that's not the point.
“This election is about co-op democracy more than anything,” he said. “Most members don't vote, but they have expressed a clear interest in ramped up efficiency programs and renewables that isn't strongly reflected in the board.
“In 1993, Holy Cross was about 5 percent renewable,” he said. “Seventeen years later they are at 11 or 12 percent. Given the scale of the climate crisis, that's not quick enough.”
The two candidates for the contested Roaring Fork Valley seat on the board of directors stayed out of the fray.
Starodoj said the board's vote to seek requests for proposals for renewable energy projects wasn't motivated by criticism it has received during the campaign. The board is following a business strategy, not reacting to critics, he said.
“We put a green initiative in effect in 2004, before anybody was even talking about green,” he said.
Munk applauded the board's actions to potentially incorporate more local, green energy production. He declined comment on whether or not he felt the timing was tied to the election.
“I have no knowledge of any motivations regarding the timing of this, and I won't speculate,” Munk said. “I support all communication between Holy Cross and its members — our co-op should be sharing far more information regarding programs, policies and plans.”
scondon@aspentimes.com
http://www.postindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100528/VALLEYNEWS/100529878/1083&ParentProfile=1074&template=printart
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
GarCo commissioners OK solar farm plan at county airport
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — County commissioners on Monday gave tentative approval to a plan to install a large solar farm at the Garfield County Regional Airport outside Rifle.
The Clean Energy Collective (CEC), a Carbondale-area renewable energy cooperative, is working in partnership with Holy Cross Energy to build the pilot project.
They've identified a site at the southeast corner of the airport that can support an 890-kilowatt solar electric generating station, the CEC's Paul Spencer said at Monday's county commissioners meeting.
It would be the second large solar farm in the Rifle area, following completion in early 2009 of a 2.3-megawatt (2,300 kilowatt) system at the city of Rifle's Energy Innovation Center site on the north side of Interstate 70.
The airport site would be fully owned by Holy Cross customers who choose to opt-in and purchase clean energy in the new community array, Spencer explained. Holy Cross plans to offer customers the same benefits to buy into the system as it would for individual roof-mount systems, including power credits and rebates.
“The CEC will serve as a project facilitator to develop, manage and maintain the project on behalf of Holy Cross and its customers,” Spencer wrote in a project description presented to county commissioners.
“This model will expand the market for clean energy by opening up ownership options to renters, to customers with limited solar access on existing properties, or to people who would like to purchase small fractions of clean energy solutions.”
Airport Director Brian Condie said the site proposed for the solar farm is not likely to be used for aviation purposes for at least 20 years.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to prepare a 20-year lease for the site, with the possibility for two 10-year extensions. If an aviation-related user were to come along in the meantime, the user would have to pay for the relocation of the solar panels.
“This is a good way for Garfield County residents to move toward a clean energy economy, and is more of a free market solution that can be sustainable in the long run,” commented former Glenwood Springs city councilman Dan Richardson, who now works on renewable energy issues for Gov. Bill Ritter's office.
In a related item before the commissioners on Monday, the board decided to wait before it issues a request for proposals to install solar panels on the roof of the riding arena at the fairgrounds in Rifle.
The fairgrounds site was selected as one of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative projects for a $475,000 solar array that could save the county more than $100,000 in electricity charges over the 20-year life of the project.
The installer who wins the contract would be eligible to use an $87,500 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to defray the costs of the installation. However, concerns about how that should be reflected in the contract language prompted commissioners to ask for further revisions before sending the request out.
The Clean Energy Collective (CEC), a Carbondale-area renewable energy cooperative, is working in partnership with Holy Cross Energy to build the pilot project.
They've identified a site at the southeast corner of the airport that can support an 890-kilowatt solar electric generating station, the CEC's Paul Spencer said at Monday's county commissioners meeting.
It would be the second large solar farm in the Rifle area, following completion in early 2009 of a 2.3-megawatt (2,300 kilowatt) system at the city of Rifle's Energy Innovation Center site on the north side of Interstate 70.
The airport site would be fully owned by Holy Cross customers who choose to opt-in and purchase clean energy in the new community array, Spencer explained. Holy Cross plans to offer customers the same benefits to buy into the system as it would for individual roof-mount systems, including power credits and rebates.
“The CEC will serve as a project facilitator to develop, manage and maintain the project on behalf of Holy Cross and its customers,” Spencer wrote in a project description presented to county commissioners.
“This model will expand the market for clean energy by opening up ownership options to renters, to customers with limited solar access on existing properties, or to people who would like to purchase small fractions of clean energy solutions.”
Airport Director Brian Condie said the site proposed for the solar farm is not likely to be used for aviation purposes for at least 20 years.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to prepare a 20-year lease for the site, with the possibility for two 10-year extensions. If an aviation-related user were to come along in the meantime, the user would have to pay for the relocation of the solar panels.
“This is a good way for Garfield County residents to move toward a clean energy economy, and is more of a free market solution that can be sustainable in the long run,” commented former Glenwood Springs city councilman Dan Richardson, who now works on renewable energy issues for Gov. Bill Ritter's office.
In a related item before the commissioners on Monday, the board decided to wait before it issues a request for proposals to install solar panels on the roof of the riding arena at the fairgrounds in Rifle.
The fairgrounds site was selected as one of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative projects for a $475,000 solar array that could save the county more than $100,000 in electricity charges over the 20-year life of the project.
The installer who wins the contract would be eligible to use an $87,500 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to defray the costs of the installation. However, concerns about how that should be reflected in the contract language prompted commissioners to ask for further revisions before sending the request out.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wind, solar can help reduce fuel costs 40 percent in western US
Wind, solar can help reduce fuel costs 40 percent in western US
20 May 2010-- A study says the western United States can accommodate 30 percent wind and 5 percent solar penetration so long as utilities increase coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and change how they schedule generation and interchanges.
GE Energy prepared the report, “Western Wind and Solar Integration Study,” for the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE). It studies the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the mountain and Southwest states, including Arizona Public Service, NV Energy, Xcel Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Four of the five states in WestConnect have renewable portfolio standards that require 15 to 30 percent of annual electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2020 to 2025.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating up to 35 percent wind and solar into WestConnect and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in 2017. The challenge shows it is operationally possible to displace fossil fuels with wind and solar, reducing fuel costs by 40 percent in 2017 compared to not using any wind or solar.
Carbon emissions would decrease by 25 to 45 percent on the high end as more wind and solar is added. With a natural gas price of $3.50 per MBTU, emissions reductions would be greater because coal is displaced instead of gas. Using wind and solar in utility operations reduces operating costs by up to 14 percent, according to the study.
The report also said that for utilities to achieve lower emissions and prices, they have to spread their operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation and interchanges on an intra-hour basis. Extensive additional infrastructure would not be required as long as the changes to operational practices are made, the report said.
NREL and DOE released the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) in April. That study said states along the Eastern Interconnection could switch 20 percent of their power generation from fossil fuels to wind power by 2030 but only with additional investments in transmission specifically from the Midwest.
Read more environmental business news
20 May 2010-- A study says the western United States can accommodate 30 percent wind and 5 percent solar penetration so long as utilities increase coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and change how they schedule generation and interchanges.
GE Energy prepared the report, “Western Wind and Solar Integration Study,” for the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE). It studies the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the mountain and Southwest states, including Arizona Public Service, NV Energy, Xcel Energy and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Four of the five states in WestConnect have renewable portfolio standards that require 15 to 30 percent of annual electricity sales to come from renewable sources by 2020 to 2025.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating up to 35 percent wind and solar into WestConnect and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in 2017. The challenge shows it is operationally possible to displace fossil fuels with wind and solar, reducing fuel costs by 40 percent in 2017 compared to not using any wind or solar.
Carbon emissions would decrease by 25 to 45 percent on the high end as more wind and solar is added. With a natural gas price of $3.50 per MBTU, emissions reductions would be greater because coal is displaced instead of gas. Using wind and solar in utility operations reduces operating costs by up to 14 percent, according to the study.
The report also said that for utilities to achieve lower emissions and prices, they have to spread their operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation and interchanges on an intra-hour basis. Extensive additional infrastructure would not be required as long as the changes to operational practices are made, the report said.
NREL and DOE released the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) in April. That study said states along the Eastern Interconnection could switch 20 percent of their power generation from fossil fuels to wind power by 2030 but only with additional investments in transmission specifically from the Midwest.
Read more environmental business news
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Abengoa Begins Operation of 50MW Concentrating Solar Power Plant
Abengoa Begins Operation of 50MW Concentrating Solar Power Plant
05/06/2010
SustainableBusiness.com News
Abengoa Solar, a unit of Spanish corporation Abengoa (ABG.MC), has begun commercial operation of a new 50-megawatts (MW) solar thermal power plant in Spain.
The company said Solnova 1's performance matches the theoretical output of the design, validating the potential of parabolic trough technology for capturing and converting the sun's heat into electricity.
Abengoa Solar built a smaller pilot plant in 2007. And the company has contracts to build two much larger plants in the US--one in California (250 MW) and the other in Arizona (280 MW).
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
In September 2009, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) selected Abengoa Solar to add concentrating solar power to an existing coal-fired power plant near Grand Junction, Colorado.
Website: www.abengoa.com
05/06/2010
SustainableBusiness.com News
Abengoa Solar, a unit of Spanish corporation Abengoa (ABG.MC), has begun commercial operation of a new 50-megawatts (MW) solar thermal power plant in Spain.
The company said Solnova 1's performance matches the theoretical output of the design, validating the potential of parabolic trough technology for capturing and converting the sun's heat into electricity.
Abengoa Solar built a smaller pilot plant in 2007. And the company has contracts to build two much larger plants in the US--one in California (250 MW) and the other in Arizona (280 MW).
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
In September 2009, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) selected Abengoa Solar to add concentrating solar power to an existing coal-fired power plant near Grand Junction, Colorado.
Website: www.abengoa.com
Monday, May 17, 2010
Garfield County giving thought to energy improvements district Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
Garfield County giving thought to energy improvements district
Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
JOHN STROUD
POST INDEPENDENT STAFF
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County is pondering the first step to be able to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements to their homes or businesses.
But one county commissioner believes the decision to form a countywide clean energy finance district should be left up to voters, not the county commissioners.
“I have a philosophical problem with county government being in the loan and finance business … that's not government's job,” County Commission Chairman John Martin said at a Tuesday work session with Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (GNECI) representatives to discuss forming the district.
City and town councils of each of Garfield County's six municipalities have signed letters of support for the county to form the district, and to put a question on the November ballot asking county voters to allow bonds to be issued using state and federal grant money to fund the program.
“I'd much rather see a vote of the people to create the district, and to decide on a bonding mechanism,” Martin said.
Tuesday's discussion came as neighboring counties are moving forward with their own plans to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements, such as solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades.
Eagle County commissioners on Tuesday authorized initial funding for the voter-approved Energy Smart Program, part of a three-county energy improvement district — including Pitkin and Gunnison counties — that was approved by voters last fall.
The program provides fixed-interest loans to property owners for qualified energy improvements. The loans are paid back over a period of time as an add-on to the borrower's property tax bill.
Eagle County voters authorized up to $10 million in bonds to fund the loan program, while Pitkin County agreed to $7 million and Gunnison County's program is for $3 million.
Gov. Bill Ritter is also in Aspen today to sign SB 100, allowing even more flexibility to create cross-boundary energy improvement districts.
The effort also ties in with the goals of another recently passed piece of legislation, HB 1328, the New Energy Jobs Creation Act.
“We are looking to the commissioners to invest in the people of Garfield County to move this district forward and to help put people back to work,” said Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert — who sits on the GNECI advisory board — at Tuesday's meeting with the commissioners.
“This is a mechanism to help allow that to happen,” he said.
Before Garfield County can go to voters to set up bonding to begin to offer loans, it must first take the initiative to form a clean energy improvement district.
County commissioners can form the district by resolution. Or, as commissioner Martin suggested, it can ask voters to both form the district and authorize bonding.
Even though no direct county tax dollars are involved, Martin said he'll have to overcome his philosophical differences with the concept before he can move forward.
“It's still tax dollars, even if it's federal dollars,” he said. “I just don't think this is government's job.”
Commissioner Trési Houpt supports forming the district by resolution.
“The district will only impact those people who opt in,” she said. “This is just a tool to use the money that we've been granted.”
Further discussion about forming the district will take place at the regular May 10 county commissioners meeting.
jstroud@postindependent.com
Commissioner Martin wants to put the decision to the voters
JOHN STROUD
POST INDEPENDENT STAFF
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO COLORADO,
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County is pondering the first step to be able to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements to their homes or businesses.
But one county commissioner believes the decision to form a countywide clean energy finance district should be left up to voters, not the county commissioners.
“I have a philosophical problem with county government being in the loan and finance business … that's not government's job,” County Commission Chairman John Martin said at a Tuesday work session with Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (GNECI) representatives to discuss forming the district.
City and town councils of each of Garfield County's six municipalities have signed letters of support for the county to form the district, and to put a question on the November ballot asking county voters to allow bonds to be issued using state and federal grant money to fund the program.
“I'd much rather see a vote of the people to create the district, and to decide on a bonding mechanism,” Martin said.
Tuesday's discussion came as neighboring counties are moving forward with their own plans to offer loans to property owners to make energy improvements, such as solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades.
Eagle County commissioners on Tuesday authorized initial funding for the voter-approved Energy Smart Program, part of a three-county energy improvement district — including Pitkin and Gunnison counties — that was approved by voters last fall.
The program provides fixed-interest loans to property owners for qualified energy improvements. The loans are paid back over a period of time as an add-on to the borrower's property tax bill.
Eagle County voters authorized up to $10 million in bonds to fund the loan program, while Pitkin County agreed to $7 million and Gunnison County's program is for $3 million.
Gov. Bill Ritter is also in Aspen today to sign SB 100, allowing even more flexibility to create cross-boundary energy improvement districts.
The effort also ties in with the goals of another recently passed piece of legislation, HB 1328, the New Energy Jobs Creation Act.
“We are looking to the commissioners to invest in the people of Garfield County to move this district forward and to help put people back to work,” said Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert — who sits on the GNECI advisory board — at Tuesday's meeting with the commissioners.
“This is a mechanism to help allow that to happen,” he said.
Before Garfield County can go to voters to set up bonding to begin to offer loans, it must first take the initiative to form a clean energy improvement district.
County commissioners can form the district by resolution. Or, as commissioner Martin suggested, it can ask voters to both form the district and authorize bonding.
Even though no direct county tax dollars are involved, Martin said he'll have to overcome his philosophical differences with the concept before he can move forward.
“It's still tax dollars, even if it's federal dollars,” he said. “I just don't think this is government's job.”
Commissioner Trési Houpt supports forming the district by resolution.
“The district will only impact those people who opt in,” she said. “This is just a tool to use the money that we've been granted.”
Further discussion about forming the district will take place at the regular May 10 county commissioners meeting.
jstroud@postindependent.com
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Solar Sales Position
Aggressive Solar Sales person wanted for Grand Junction solar company.
Solar sales experience preferred.
Two to three years outside sales experience required.
Best industry pay.
Immediate availability.
Resume and cover letter required.
References Required.
Send Cover Letter and Resume to wslopesolar@gmail.com
Solar sales experience preferred.
Two to three years outside sales experience required.
Best industry pay.
Immediate availability.
Resume and cover letter required.
References Required.
Send Cover Letter and Resume to wslopesolar@gmail.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Xcel to Scale Back SLV Solar Plans
Xcel to Scale Back SLV Solar Plans
May 5th, 2010 | By admin | Category: Latest Headlines
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
May 5th, 2010 | By admin | Category: Latest Headlines
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy will scale back on the number of solar energy plants it hopes to build in the San Luis Valley, citing uncertainty over when a proposed transmission line to export that power could be built.
The utility, which partnered with the Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association in hopes of building the proposed line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and into the valley by May 2013, revealed its revised plans in a filing Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Gov. Ritter to sign clean CO energy finance bill
Gov. Ritter to sign clean energy finance bill
in Aspen on Wednesday afternoon
Gov. Bill Ritter will sign Senate Bill 100 on Wednesday afternoon in Aspen. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows multi-county clean energy finance districts.
The bill-signing event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at The Little Nell Hotel, 675 E. Durant Ave., and everyone interested in clean energy is invited to attend.
SB 10-100 allows local improvement districts for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to cross county boundaries and include properties in multiple counties, whether or not the counties are contiguous, if county commissioners of the affected counties agree to share district costs.
The bill also expands the definition of renewable energy improvements for clean energy districts to include solar arrays and other renewable energy systems at community locations, rather than limiting eligible systems to those installed directly on a residential or commercial building.
In related news, Gov. Ritter will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to share Colorado’s success at establishing a New Energy Economy. Colorado now ranks fourth in clean-energy employment, has the second-highest renewable energy standard for utilities in the nation, and has grown its clean-tech sector by double digits even in a recession.
In Washington, Gov. Ritter will deliver keynote remarks to open the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, provide the Environmental Defense Fund’s Board of Trustees with a blueprint of Colorado's New Energy Economy, and make a presentation at the Center for American Progress on the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. HB 10-1365 will convert 900 megawatts of Xcel Energy power production from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas.
in Aspen on Wednesday afternoon
Gov. Bill Ritter will sign Senate Bill 100 on Wednesday afternoon in Aspen. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, allows multi-county clean energy finance districts.
The bill-signing event is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at The Little Nell Hotel, 675 E. Durant Ave., and everyone interested in clean energy is invited to attend.
SB 10-100 allows local improvement districts for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to cross county boundaries and include properties in multiple counties, whether or not the counties are contiguous, if county commissioners of the affected counties agree to share district costs.
The bill also expands the definition of renewable energy improvements for clean energy districts to include solar arrays and other renewable energy systems at community locations, rather than limiting eligible systems to those installed directly on a residential or commercial building.
In related news, Gov. Ritter will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to share Colorado’s success at establishing a New Energy Economy. Colorado now ranks fourth in clean-energy employment, has the second-highest renewable energy standard for utilities in the nation, and has grown its clean-tech sector by double digits even in a recession.
In Washington, Gov. Ritter will deliver keynote remarks to open the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, provide the Environmental Defense Fund’s Board of Trustees with a blueprint of Colorado's New Energy Economy, and make a presentation at the Center for American Progress on the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. HB 10-1365 will convert 900 megawatts of Xcel Energy power production from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Bill would extend life of Cameo power plant
Bill would extend life of Cameo power plant
By Charles Ashby
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A bill that made it out of a House committee Tuesday would keep the Cameo Station power plant east of Grand Junction open eight months longer than currently scheduled.
Introduced by Republican Reps. Steve King of Grand Junction and Laura Bradford of Coll-bran, House Bill 1282 is designed to prevent about 100 jobs associated with the plant from going away.
Xcel Energy, owner of the 50-year-old coal-burning plant, plans to close it at the end of this year. Before that happens, though, the company is using it as an experiment to test the use of solar power in operating such facilities.
King and Bradford said they agree the plant needs to close, but the lawmakers wanted to extend its life a bit longer. That’s because owners of the McClane Canyon Mine, which exclusively feeds the plant, are in the process of expanding into a new mine. But that’s not due to happen until mid-2011.
If the plant closed in December, miners and truck drivers who work at McClane would be laid off until the new mine opens, the lawmakers said.
To prevent those layoffs, the bill delays closure of Cameo until August 2011. The bill now heads to the House floor for more debate.
By Charles Ashby
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A bill that made it out of a House committee Tuesday would keep the Cameo Station power plant east of Grand Junction open eight months longer than currently scheduled.
Introduced by Republican Reps. Steve King of Grand Junction and Laura Bradford of Coll-bran, House Bill 1282 is designed to prevent about 100 jobs associated with the plant from going away.
Xcel Energy, owner of the 50-year-old coal-burning plant, plans to close it at the end of this year. Before that happens, though, the company is using it as an experiment to test the use of solar power in operating such facilities.
King and Bradford said they agree the plant needs to close, but the lawmakers wanted to extend its life a bit longer. That’s because owners of the McClane Canyon Mine, which exclusively feeds the plant, are in the process of expanding into a new mine. But that’s not due to happen until mid-2011.
If the plant closed in December, miners and truck drivers who work at McClane would be laid off until the new mine opens, the lawmakers said.
To prevent those layoffs, the bill delays closure of Cameo until August 2011. The bill now heads to the House floor for more debate.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Colorado to start energy rebate program
Colorado to start energy rebate program
By Mark Jaffe
The Denver Post
POSTED: 04/07/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT
UPDATED: 04/07/2010 01:51:03 AM MDT
The Governor's Energy Office is set to launch an $18 million rebate program for energy-efficient purchases such as appliances, insulation and solar-power systems.
The program is part of $300 million in economic-stimulus funding for states through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The program will open April 19, when a state call center and a Recharge Colorado website go into operation.
Rebates, which can be reserved for 10 to 30 days through the website or call center, will be issued on a first- come, first-served basis.
In states that have already started, the rebates ran out within days.
The $2.6 million Kansas program opened Jan. 19 and closed Jan. 28.
Rhode Island's $1 million program started March 25, and all the rebates were gone by the next day, according to federal Department of Energy data.
The Colorado website will keep track of available state rebates and other local or utility rebates that can also be used. It will also have information on products, tax breaks, contractors and suppliers.
"We want to be one-stop shopping for consumers," said Tom Plant, director of the Governor's Energy Office.
"You get a rebate for insulation and find a local contractor, and that keeps money in the community," Plant said.
Among the rebates for energy-efficient appliances being offered are $50 to $100 for refrigerators; $50 for a dishwasher; and $75 for a clothes washer.
Those rebates can be combined with other rebates.
"That's what the website will help with," Plant said.
Denver Water, for example, offers a $150 rebate for water-efficient clothes washers, and Xcel Energy offers rebates of $40 to $100 on water heaters.
"We think these are complimentary programs," said Peter Narog, Xcel's marketing manager for consumer energy efficiency.
Aurora is using $1 million to offer an added subsidy, doubling Xcel's rebate, said Karen Hancock, the city's environmental-program supervisor.
So for a high-performance water heater, an Aurora homeowner could get as much as a $200 state rebate, an $80 Xcel rebate and an $80 Aurora rebate.
"We're starting with $1 million, but if the program is really popular we'll set about additional funding," Hancock said.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or mjaffe@denverpost.com
Selected rebates
The Recharge Colorado program will offer a wide range of energy-efficiency-related rebates using $18 million in federal stimulus money beginning April 19:
Appliances
• Refrigerators $50 and $100 with proof the unit was previously recycled
• Gas condensing furnace $500
• Gas boiler $400
Residential efficiency
• Insulation 20 percent of cost up to $400
• Duct sealing 20 percent of cost up to $75
Renewable energy
• Solar hot water, up to $3,000
• Solar photovoltaic panels, $1.50 a watt for the first 3 kilowatts (those not eligible for Xcel or Black Hills Energy rebates)
• Small wind turbine, up to $1 per watt for first 15 kilowatts
Commercial
• Solar photovoltaic panels, $1.50 a watt up to first 10 kilowatts and small wind turbine up to $1 per watt for first 15 kilowatts
By Mark Jaffe
The Denver Post
POSTED: 04/07/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT
UPDATED: 04/07/2010 01:51:03 AM MDT
The Governor's Energy Office is set to launch an $18 million rebate program for energy-efficient purchases such as appliances, insulation and solar-power systems.
The program is part of $300 million in economic-stimulus funding for states through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The program will open April 19, when a state call center and a Recharge Colorado website go into operation.
Rebates, which can be reserved for 10 to 30 days through the website or call center, will be issued on a first- come, first-served basis.
In states that have already started, the rebates ran out within days.
The $2.6 million Kansas program opened Jan. 19 and closed Jan. 28.
Rhode Island's $1 million program started March 25, and all the rebates were gone by the next day, according to federal Department of Energy data.
The Colorado website will keep track of available state rebates and other local or utility rebates that can also be used. It will also have information on products, tax breaks, contractors and suppliers.
"We want to be one-stop shopping for consumers," said Tom Plant, director of the Governor's Energy Office.
"You get a rebate for insulation and find a local contractor, and that keeps money in the community," Plant said.
Among the rebates for energy-efficient appliances being offered are $50 to $100 for refrigerators; $50 for a dishwasher; and $75 for a clothes washer.
Those rebates can be combined with other rebates.
"That's what the website will help with," Plant said.
Denver Water, for example, offers a $150 rebate for water-efficient clothes washers, and Xcel Energy offers rebates of $40 to $100 on water heaters.
"We think these are complimentary programs," said Peter Narog, Xcel's marketing manager for consumer energy efficiency.
Aurora is using $1 million to offer an added subsidy, doubling Xcel's rebate, said Karen Hancock, the city's environmental-program supervisor.
So for a high-performance water heater, an Aurora homeowner could get as much as a $200 state rebate, an $80 Xcel rebate and an $80 Aurora rebate.
"We're starting with $1 million, but if the program is really popular we'll set about additional funding," Hancock said.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or mjaffe@denverpost.com
Selected rebates
The Recharge Colorado program will offer a wide range of energy-efficiency-related rebates using $18 million in federal stimulus money beginning April 19:
Appliances
• Refrigerators $50 and $100 with proof the unit was previously recycled
• Gas condensing furnace $500
• Gas boiler $400
Residential efficiency
• Insulation 20 percent of cost up to $400
• Duct sealing 20 percent of cost up to $75
Renewable energy
• Solar hot water, up to $3,000
• Solar photovoltaic panels, $1.50 a watt for the first 3 kilowatts (those not eligible for Xcel or Black Hills Energy rebates)
• Small wind turbine, up to $1 per watt for first 15 kilowatts
Commercial
• Solar photovoltaic panels, $1.50 a watt up to first 10 kilowatts and small wind turbine up to $1 per watt for first 15 kilowatts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Palisade winery harvest grapes and the sun
Palisade winery harvest grapes and the sun
When Rick and Padte Turley of Colorado Cellars Winery (Colorado's original winery) decided to start harvesting sunshine as well as grapes, they were delighted to find that Atlasta Solar not only had the highest qualified installers in the Valley, but also the oldest roots in Grand Junction.
Like most of us, Rick and Padte are deeply appreciative of the 310 days of sunshine the Grand Valley is blessed with and, as farmers, they are keenly aware that the way we treat our environment today has a direct correlation with our ability to enjoy our future. However, as business owners, they also needed to make good financial sense of their decision to invest in solar.
At the time Colorado Cellars was the first and only winery to make the decision to use solar electricity for their winery. Since then many have seen the benefits of a solarized winery and have chosen to produce their own power using the sun.
So, when you're out day-tripping this spring, be sure to stop by and have a taste of “Road Kill Red” or any of their 25 other wines and take a peek at Colorado Cellars solar panels soaking up the sunshine.
Andrea Jones
Atlasta Solar Center
2923 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81503
248-0057
When Rick and Padte Turley of Colorado Cellars Winery (Colorado's original winery) decided to start harvesting sunshine as well as grapes, they were delighted to find that Atlasta Solar not only had the highest qualified installers in the Valley, but also the oldest roots in Grand Junction.
Like most of us, Rick and Padte are deeply appreciative of the 310 days of sunshine the Grand Valley is blessed with and, as farmers, they are keenly aware that the way we treat our environment today has a direct correlation with our ability to enjoy our future. However, as business owners, they also needed to make good financial sense of their decision to invest in solar.
At the time Colorado Cellars was the first and only winery to make the decision to use solar electricity for their winery. Since then many have seen the benefits of a solarized winery and have chosen to produce their own power using the sun.
So, when you're out day-tripping this spring, be sure to stop by and have a taste of “Road Kill Red” or any of their 25 other wines and take a peek at Colorado Cellars solar panels soaking up the sunshine.
Andrea Jones
Atlasta Solar Center
2923 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81503
248-0057
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Going solar good for biz — in more ways than one
Going solar good for biz — in more ways than one
BY SHARON SULLIVAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER,
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Grand Junction Therapies sells electricity on the side.
“Xcel gives us a check every month,” said GJ Therapies owner Stacey Wood. “They use part of our system.”
The 140 solar panels covering most of the rooftop at 321 Rood Ave. provide more electricity than the business uses. The extra energy flows into the grid for general distribution.
Grand Junction Therapies is one of many local businesses who have found various financial incentives make the installation of solar technology feasible.
High Noon Solar, the Grand Junction company that installed the solar panels at Wood's business, first helped Wood reduce her overall energy consumption by replacing lighting with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, and added insulation.
Then, they sized the system by looking at past history usage. Wood wanted to also factor in possible future use in the event other businesses move upstairs.
The system “will be fully paid off in seven years,” Wood said. “After that it will be free electricity for the life of the building.”
Wood's monthly loan payment for the project is equivalent to what she was paying on her monthly utility bill, she said.
“Businesses can be ahead after the first year (of installation),” said Heidi Ihrke, who owns High Noon, along with Cory Sullivan. “It's an amazing investment.”
While some businesses install solar for environmental, or progressive purposes, for others it is a financial incentive, Ihrke said.
“A lot of companies, their main motivator is to get rid of some of their tax burden,” she said.
Businesses can also write off depreciation for tax purposes. “That's a big chunk for business owners,” Ihrke said.
Federal tax credits for commercial systems, grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, rebates from Xcel Energy, plus other financial incentives have made solar more attractive for businesses, as well as municipalities and private citizens.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
Not everyone has a system large enough to sell energy to Xcel. But many businesses are installing solar to offset what they pay to their utility company.
All Metals Welding uses lots of electricity. Two years ago owner Chris Muhr hired Atlasta Solar in Grand Junction to install photovoltaic panels to one of its buildings at 175 I-70 Business Loop in Grand Junction. After his out-of-pocket expenses Muhr said the system saves him between $200 and $300 a month in electricity bills. The payoff on that building with a rebate and tax credit will be in about seven years, he said.
In January, Atlasta installed a solar system on another one of Muhr's buildings where he keeps his office and some equipment. The payoff on that system is projected at under four years, Muhr said.
“As a businessman, it makes perfect economic sense,” Muhr said. “It's good for the environment, for national security, and it's good for financial security.”
In 2004 Coloradans voted in favor of Amendment 37 requiring the state's top utility companies provide 10 percent of its retail electricity sales from renewable resources by 2015. Colorado joined 17 other states with similar requirements.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and lawmakers doubled the Renewable Energy Standard in 2007, to 20 percent by 2015. New legislation in March increased the standard to 30 percent by 2020.
At least 4 percent of the renewable energy generated must come from solar-electric technologies. At least half of the solar requirement must be generated from systems located at customers' homes or businesses.
The excess electricity like what Grand Junction Therapies produces helps Xcel meet their renewable energy standard.
Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards program provide two incentives for customers who install grid-connected photovoltaic systems sized up to 120 percent of the average annual load of the property.
About 4,500 government, business or private residences participate in Xcel's Solar program.
Xcel pays a rebate of $2 per watt (or $2,000 per kW). The renewable energy credit (payment for producing excess electricity) is 55 cents per watt (or $550 per kW).
“Between federal tax credits and Xcel Energy Solar Rewards, you can roughly get the cost of your system cut by half,” said Xcel Energy spokesman Mark Stutz.
SOLAR BOOM AND BUST
President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof in 1979.
After Ronald Reagan became president he removed the White House solar panels and put them in storage. Unity College in Maine ended up with the panels, and for 12 years the college used them to heat water for its main cafeteria, said the college's sustainability coordinator Jesse Pyles, in an e-mail.
There were several thriving solar companies in Grand Junction during the early 1980s when federal tax credits were available for installing solar panels.
“Carter said we need to get this industry going. He gave tax credits to the people so we could expand the solar industry,” said Virgil Boggess, who opened Atlasta Solar in Grand Junction in 1979.
The tax credits expired in the mid-1980s, federal support for renewable energy dropped, and all but one local solar business — Atlasta — closed.
Boggess hung in there by temporarily closing his storefront and working out of his home and getting a second job.
“What kept me in business was doing service calls and upgrades,” Boggess said.
Today, with federal tax credits and other incentives again in place, there are several solar companies operating in the valley again.
Solar power returned to the White House grounds in 2003, when the National Park Service requested the installation of solar panels on nearby maintenance buildings to generate electricity and heat water.
FARM BILL SUPPORTS RENEWABLE
Another federal program helps businesses install renewable energy, or upgrade to more efficient equipment in rural communities with populations less than 50,000. As of last Census, Grand Junction still qualified.
In the 2008 Farm Bill, the Rural Energy for America program allows business owners to apply for USDA Rural Development grants which will cover up to 25 percent of the total cost of an energy-efficiency upgrade, or renewable energy installation. The maximum grant for energy-efficiency upgrades is $25,000; for renewable energy installation the maximum grant amount is $500,000.
The program also helps businesses acquire loans to pay for the balance of the renewable energy projects.
“The grant gives the owners equity (like a downpayment),” said Pattie Snidow, Northwest Area Director for USDA Rural Development. “We go up to 25 million in loan guarantees.”
The grant program is available to any commercial (not just agricultural-based) business which is a small business under SBA (small business administration) guidelines, Snidow said.
“It's a good mix of businesses and agricultural producers,” Snidow said.
Last year there were nine grant recipients in the northwest area, including Harry's Peaches in Palisade. Kokopelli Farms in Palisade received the grant in 2008.
Box Canyon Lodge in Ouray was another recipient of the renewable energy grant.
“Anybody can write the grant,” said Snidow, who provides free training.
The next two grant writing classes are Monday, April 5, in Granby, and Tuesday, April 6, in Glenwood Springs. While the training is free, space is limited and an RSVP is required.
To RSVP to the Glenwood seminar e-mail events@CleanEnergyEconomy.net, or online at www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org.
Monday's seminar in Granby can be reserved by calling (970) 531-2363, or e-mailing info@gcbeda.com.
Snidow's office is currently accepting applications for the 2010 grants. Deadline is April 23. For an application go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia/rbcs_RE-EE_Section_9006.html.
FARM RUNS ON SOLAR
Christine Horn applied for and got the Rural Development grant for her family's orchard in Palisade.
The money went toward two photovoltaic systems to run the irrigation system and the maintenance facility at Harry's Peaches, 664 39 Road.
The family expects the approximately 12 kW system to power 100 percent of everything business-related — “everything involved with the orchard and agricultural production,” Horn said.
“My father (Harry Jackson) is the ringleader here,” Horn said. “He has always been interested in renewable energy. So we looked for a way to go green and be more self-sufficient.”
Simplicity Solar, 784 Valley Court, #B2, installed the orchard's system.
“The reason more businesses are putting on solar, it financially makes sense,” said Alan Deslongchamp, Simplicity co-owner along with Fred Pittenger.
After all the tax credits and rebates, and factoring in the utility bill savings, “by year three the system has paid for itself, and is actually making you money,” Deslongchamp said. “Utilities will go up but yours won't.”
Municipalities are also reaping the solar rewards.
A Palisade company, Eco-fly Renewable Energies, located at the home of owner Anthony Huff, is installing a solar array on the Palisade Civic Center.
“What made this doable for us, we received grant funding (through the Governor's New Energy Communities Program) plus the (Xcel) rebate,” said Tim Sarmo, town administrator.
Syndicated Solar incorporated eight months ago in Grand Junction. The company recently completed a solar project at Grande River Vineyards in Palisade.
For a more information visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (dsireusa.org) for a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote the adoption of solar technologies.
BY SHARON SULLIVAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER,
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Grand Junction Therapies sells electricity on the side.
“Xcel gives us a check every month,” said GJ Therapies owner Stacey Wood. “They use part of our system.”
The 140 solar panels covering most of the rooftop at 321 Rood Ave. provide more electricity than the business uses. The extra energy flows into the grid for general distribution.
Grand Junction Therapies is one of many local businesses who have found various financial incentives make the installation of solar technology feasible.
High Noon Solar, the Grand Junction company that installed the solar panels at Wood's business, first helped Wood reduce her overall energy consumption by replacing lighting with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, and added insulation.
Then, they sized the system by looking at past history usage. Wood wanted to also factor in possible future use in the event other businesses move upstairs.
The system “will be fully paid off in seven years,” Wood said. “After that it will be free electricity for the life of the building.”
Wood's monthly loan payment for the project is equivalent to what she was paying on her monthly utility bill, she said.
“Businesses can be ahead after the first year (of installation),” said Heidi Ihrke, who owns High Noon, along with Cory Sullivan. “It's an amazing investment.”
While some businesses install solar for environmental, or progressive purposes, for others it is a financial incentive, Ihrke said.
“A lot of companies, their main motivator is to get rid of some of their tax burden,” she said.
Businesses can also write off depreciation for tax purposes. “That's a big chunk for business owners,” Ihrke said.
Federal tax credits for commercial systems, grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, rebates from Xcel Energy, plus other financial incentives have made solar more attractive for businesses, as well as municipalities and private citizens.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
Not everyone has a system large enough to sell energy to Xcel. But many businesses are installing solar to offset what they pay to their utility company.
All Metals Welding uses lots of electricity. Two years ago owner Chris Muhr hired Atlasta Solar in Grand Junction to install photovoltaic panels to one of its buildings at 175 I-70 Business Loop in Grand Junction. After his out-of-pocket expenses Muhr said the system saves him between $200 and $300 a month in electricity bills. The payoff on that building with a rebate and tax credit will be in about seven years, he said.
In January, Atlasta installed a solar system on another one of Muhr's buildings where he keeps his office and some equipment. The payoff on that system is projected at under four years, Muhr said.
“As a businessman, it makes perfect economic sense,” Muhr said. “It's good for the environment, for national security, and it's good for financial security.”
In 2004 Coloradans voted in favor of Amendment 37 requiring the state's top utility companies provide 10 percent of its retail electricity sales from renewable resources by 2015. Colorado joined 17 other states with similar requirements.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and lawmakers doubled the Renewable Energy Standard in 2007, to 20 percent by 2015. New legislation in March increased the standard to 30 percent by 2020.
At least 4 percent of the renewable energy generated must come from solar-electric technologies. At least half of the solar requirement must be generated from systems located at customers' homes or businesses.
The excess electricity like what Grand Junction Therapies produces helps Xcel meet their renewable energy standard.
Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards program provide two incentives for customers who install grid-connected photovoltaic systems sized up to 120 percent of the average annual load of the property.
About 4,500 government, business or private residences participate in Xcel's Solar program.
Xcel pays a rebate of $2 per watt (or $2,000 per kW). The renewable energy credit (payment for producing excess electricity) is 55 cents per watt (or $550 per kW).
“Between federal tax credits and Xcel Energy Solar Rewards, you can roughly get the cost of your system cut by half,” said Xcel Energy spokesman Mark Stutz.
SOLAR BOOM AND BUST
President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof in 1979.
After Ronald Reagan became president he removed the White House solar panels and put them in storage. Unity College in Maine ended up with the panels, and for 12 years the college used them to heat water for its main cafeteria, said the college's sustainability coordinator Jesse Pyles, in an e-mail.
There were several thriving solar companies in Grand Junction during the early 1980s when federal tax credits were available for installing solar panels.
“Carter said we need to get this industry going. He gave tax credits to the people so we could expand the solar industry,” said Virgil Boggess, who opened Atlasta Solar in Grand Junction in 1979.
The tax credits expired in the mid-1980s, federal support for renewable energy dropped, and all but one local solar business — Atlasta — closed.
Boggess hung in there by temporarily closing his storefront and working out of his home and getting a second job.
“What kept me in business was doing service calls and upgrades,” Boggess said.
Today, with federal tax credits and other incentives again in place, there are several solar companies operating in the valley again.
Solar power returned to the White House grounds in 2003, when the National Park Service requested the installation of solar panels on nearby maintenance buildings to generate electricity and heat water.
FARM BILL SUPPORTS RENEWABLE
Another federal program helps businesses install renewable energy, or upgrade to more efficient equipment in rural communities with populations less than 50,000. As of last Census, Grand Junction still qualified.
In the 2008 Farm Bill, the Rural Energy for America program allows business owners to apply for USDA Rural Development grants which will cover up to 25 percent of the total cost of an energy-efficiency upgrade, or renewable energy installation. The maximum grant for energy-efficiency upgrades is $25,000; for renewable energy installation the maximum grant amount is $500,000.
The program also helps businesses acquire loans to pay for the balance of the renewable energy projects.
“The grant gives the owners equity (like a downpayment),” said Pattie Snidow, Northwest Area Director for USDA Rural Development. “We go up to 25 million in loan guarantees.”
The grant program is available to any commercial (not just agricultural-based) business which is a small business under SBA (small business administration) guidelines, Snidow said.
“It's a good mix of businesses and agricultural producers,” Snidow said.
Last year there were nine grant recipients in the northwest area, including Harry's Peaches in Palisade. Kokopelli Farms in Palisade received the grant in 2008.
Box Canyon Lodge in Ouray was another recipient of the renewable energy grant.
“Anybody can write the grant,” said Snidow, who provides free training.
The next two grant writing classes are Monday, April 5, in Granby, and Tuesday, April 6, in Glenwood Springs. While the training is free, space is limited and an RSVP is required.
To RSVP to the Glenwood seminar e-mail events@CleanEnergyEconomy.net, or online at www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org.
Monday's seminar in Granby can be reserved by calling (970) 531-2363, or e-mailing info@gcbeda.com.
Snidow's office is currently accepting applications for the 2010 grants. Deadline is April 23. For an application go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia/rbcs_RE-EE_Section_9006.html.
FARM RUNS ON SOLAR
Christine Horn applied for and got the Rural Development grant for her family's orchard in Palisade.
The money went toward two photovoltaic systems to run the irrigation system and the maintenance facility at Harry's Peaches, 664 39 Road.
The family expects the approximately 12 kW system to power 100 percent of everything business-related — “everything involved with the orchard and agricultural production,” Horn said.
“My father (Harry Jackson) is the ringleader here,” Horn said. “He has always been interested in renewable energy. So we looked for a way to go green and be more self-sufficient.”
Simplicity Solar, 784 Valley Court, #B2, installed the orchard's system.
“The reason more businesses are putting on solar, it financially makes sense,” said Alan Deslongchamp, Simplicity co-owner along with Fred Pittenger.
After all the tax credits and rebates, and factoring in the utility bill savings, “by year three the system has paid for itself, and is actually making you money,” Deslongchamp said. “Utilities will go up but yours won't.”
Municipalities are also reaping the solar rewards.
A Palisade company, Eco-fly Renewable Energies, located at the home of owner Anthony Huff, is installing a solar array on the Palisade Civic Center.
“What made this doable for us, we received grant funding (through the Governor's New Energy Communities Program) plus the (Xcel) rebate,” said Tim Sarmo, town administrator.
Syndicated Solar incorporated eight months ago in Grand Junction. The company recently completed a solar project at Grande River Vineyards in Palisade.
For a more information visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (dsireusa.org) for a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote the adoption of solar technologies.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Colo. raises renewable energy standard
Colo. raises renewable energy standard
By The Associated Press
Monday, March 22, 2010
DENVER — A bill requiring Colorado utilities to use more renewable energy, including smaller-scale solar projects, is now law.
Gov. Bill Ritter signed the bill today at a Denver-based solar installation company.
Utilities must now get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. The bill increases that to 30 percent over the same time, a standard just below California’s 33 percent requirement. Most other states with renewable energy standards are in the 20-percent range.
The bill requires that 3 percent of a utility’s power sales be spent on power from solar installations at homes and businesses. That’s aimed at creating more business for the estimated 230 small solar installers in Colorado.
By The Associated Press
Monday, March 22, 2010
DENVER — A bill requiring Colorado utilities to use more renewable energy, including smaller-scale solar projects, is now law.
Gov. Bill Ritter signed the bill today at a Denver-based solar installation company.
Utilities must now get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. The bill increases that to 30 percent over the same time, a standard just below California’s 33 percent requirement. Most other states with renewable energy standards are in the 20-percent range.
The bill requires that 3 percent of a utility’s power sales be spent on power from solar installations at homes and businesses. That’s aimed at creating more business for the estimated 230 small solar installers in Colorado.
Udall bill would boost local ‘solar farm’ efforts
Udall bill would boost local ‘solar farm’ efforts
By Dennis Webb
Thursday, March 18, 2010
New legislation being pushed by U.S. Sen. Mark Udall would benefit two western Colorado efforts to create community solar projects.
Udall, D-Colo., said in a media teleconference Wednesday the bill would provide residents with tax credits for buying an ownership in such projects, also referred to as “solar farms.”
The Grand Valley Power electric cooperative in Grand Junction hopes to break ground on such a project this year. Another co-op, Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs, also is pursuing such a project, and had asked Udall to considering carrying the bill.
The idea is to give participants access to the same 30 percent tax credit that people receive when they install solar electric systems at their homes, Udall said.
Udall said the measure is the first in a series of job-creation bills he plans to introduce that relate to clean energy. He said experts believe the community approach could expand use of solar power by two-thirds over five years.
“In Colorado that’s a lot of jobs in the clean energy economy that we want to bring to the forefront,” he said.
Under a proposal being pursued by Holy Cross Energy and a Basalt business, Clean Energy Collective, homeowners and even renters could buy a fractional ownership in a community system for as little as $500. Derek Elder, energy services administrator for Grand Valley Power, said it is looking at selling ownership shares at less than $1,000.
The concept offers an alternative for people such as those who are unable to come up with $10,000 or more for their own systems, or have properties that are impractical for solar power because they are located in the shade or have north-facing roofs.
Participants would receive a credit on their electric bills based on their level of ownership.
Holy Cross and Clean Energy Collective are seeking approval from Garfield County and the Federal Aviation Administration to build a solar farm at the Garfield County Regional Airport near Rifle.
Grand Valley Power is planning to install a solar farm on its property at 29 Road and Interstate 70. It would be located next to a substation, and could be up to a 500-kilowatt facility, which would generate enough power to meet the needs of 125 homes, Elder said. However, fractional ownership would let many more residents participate in the project.
“The legislation that Udall is proposing would definitely be very beneficial to our customers in this,” Elder said.
Udall said if the tax credit becomes law, it would run through 2016. It initially is estimated to cost $117 million over five years.
By Dennis Webb
Thursday, March 18, 2010
New legislation being pushed by U.S. Sen. Mark Udall would benefit two western Colorado efforts to create community solar projects.
Udall, D-Colo., said in a media teleconference Wednesday the bill would provide residents with tax credits for buying an ownership in such projects, also referred to as “solar farms.”
The Grand Valley Power electric cooperative in Grand Junction hopes to break ground on such a project this year. Another co-op, Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs, also is pursuing such a project, and had asked Udall to considering carrying the bill.
The idea is to give participants access to the same 30 percent tax credit that people receive when they install solar electric systems at their homes, Udall said.
Udall said the measure is the first in a series of job-creation bills he plans to introduce that relate to clean energy. He said experts believe the community approach could expand use of solar power by two-thirds over five years.
“In Colorado that’s a lot of jobs in the clean energy economy that we want to bring to the forefront,” he said.
Under a proposal being pursued by Holy Cross Energy and a Basalt business, Clean Energy Collective, homeowners and even renters could buy a fractional ownership in a community system for as little as $500. Derek Elder, energy services administrator for Grand Valley Power, said it is looking at selling ownership shares at less than $1,000.
The concept offers an alternative for people such as those who are unable to come up with $10,000 or more for their own systems, or have properties that are impractical for solar power because they are located in the shade or have north-facing roofs.
Participants would receive a credit on their electric bills based on their level of ownership.
Holy Cross and Clean Energy Collective are seeking approval from Garfield County and the Federal Aviation Administration to build a solar farm at the Garfield County Regional Airport near Rifle.
Grand Valley Power is planning to install a solar farm on its property at 29 Road and Interstate 70. It would be located next to a substation, and could be up to a 500-kilowatt facility, which would generate enough power to meet the needs of 125 homes, Elder said. However, fractional ownership would let many more residents participate in the project.
“The legislation that Udall is proposing would definitely be very beneficial to our customers in this,” Elder said.
Udall said if the tax credit becomes law, it would run through 2016. It initially is estimated to cost $117 million over five years.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Penry clings to past as renewable energy program advances
Penry clings to past as renewable energy program advances
By Bill Grant
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Leading his entire Republican caucus to vote against Governor Bill Ritter’s proposed renewable energy standard expansion, Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry seems at war with himself.
In one persona he is a forward-looking conservative visionary who takes the new energy future seriously. But when the opportunity comes to actually move forward, he clings to the past and resists progress.
Penry “has been an outspoken supporter of efforts to expand wind, solar, and other renewable energy supplies in Colorado,” the Senate Minority Leader’s Facebook page informs us.
Penry repeated that assertion last September. “I think that renewable energy is important, and I’ve supported a number of the governor’s renewable energy policies ... And he’s been right to push wind and solar,” he told the Colorado Statesman.
He even criticized Republicans for usually saying, “Renewable energy is important but ... And then they spend the next 10 minutes trashing renewable energy ... No. Renewable energy is important.”
But that aspect of Penry’s political persona was not evident last Friday. Penry led the Republican caucus to vote against legislation that enacts Ritter’s plan to expand Colorado’s renewable energy standard.
HB 1001 increases the current requirement that 20 percent of electricity be generated from renewable energy sources to 30 percent by 2020.
The new standard only applies to Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy. City utilities and rural cooperatives will still be required the meet a standard of 10 percent.
The bill requires that 3 percent of renewable power generation come from “distributed generation.” This requirement will stimulate installation of small and medium solar power plants on rooftops and commercial properties.
Senate Democrats have also promoted the legislation as essential to creating skilled, high-paying jobs.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs. That is our primary focus for this session and this bill,” Sen. Bruce Whitehead said. “The renewable energy standard will cement our position as the premier location for new-energy-economy companies to come and create new jobs.”
A press release from the governor’s office announcing the bill claimed it would “give Colorado the best clean-energy requirement in the Rocky Mountain West, create thousands of new jobs and lead to 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade.”
These estimates are supported by a recent study released by conservation groups Environment Colorado and Vote Solar. Over the next decade, the report concludes, the higher mandate could generate as many as 23,000 new jobs in Colorado.
Penry also is committed to expanding jobs. But he is apparently not interested in the kind of jobs that would be created by passage of the expanded renewable energy standard.
He would like to see a miraculous return of the natural gas drilling boom. He appears to believe nullification of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules and new subsidies for the industry are all that are required to make that happen.
“Republicans need to get off the anti-renewable gig,” Penry said. But “Democrats are going to have to recognize that we have to aggressively produce conventional sources of energy.”
Penry also objects to the bill because he considers it friendly to labor.
One provision of HB 1001 would require that solar panels must be installed by, or under the supervision of, an “energy practitioner” certified by the American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners to qualify for subsidies.
Only a licensed master or journeyman electrician would qualify to do electrical work under the rebate program.
Led by Penry, who claimed to detect “the foul odor of special interests,” Republicans claimed these requirements were put in for the benefit of unions. “They are central planning that would make the old Soviets blush,” Penry said, according to The Durango Herald.
That overstates the case. It is possible for workers to qualify for certification by attending a community college or commercial trade school.
However, the bill has union support, and no doubt they expect their members to benefit from it.
Penry and his Republican cabal are so intent on resisting any legislation that benefits labor, that they overlook the obvious problem of not certifying installers. Allowing poorly trained or inexperienced low-wage workers to undertake the complex task of wiring thousands of homes and commercial buildings for solar generation is a prescription for disaster.
“My children, your children, our future relies on finding sources of energy other than what we already have,” Whitehead said. HB 1001 is the next step forward for Colorado.
Bill Grant lives in Grand Junction. He can be reached at wgrant@bgsu.edu.
By Bill Grant
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Leading his entire Republican caucus to vote against Governor Bill Ritter’s proposed renewable energy standard expansion, Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry seems at war with himself.
In one persona he is a forward-looking conservative visionary who takes the new energy future seriously. But when the opportunity comes to actually move forward, he clings to the past and resists progress.
Penry “has been an outspoken supporter of efforts to expand wind, solar, and other renewable energy supplies in Colorado,” the Senate Minority Leader’s Facebook page informs us.
Penry repeated that assertion last September. “I think that renewable energy is important, and I’ve supported a number of the governor’s renewable energy policies ... And he’s been right to push wind and solar,” he told the Colorado Statesman.
He even criticized Republicans for usually saying, “Renewable energy is important but ... And then they spend the next 10 minutes trashing renewable energy ... No. Renewable energy is important.”
But that aspect of Penry’s political persona was not evident last Friday. Penry led the Republican caucus to vote against legislation that enacts Ritter’s plan to expand Colorado’s renewable energy standard.
HB 1001 increases the current requirement that 20 percent of electricity be generated from renewable energy sources to 30 percent by 2020.
The new standard only applies to Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy. City utilities and rural cooperatives will still be required the meet a standard of 10 percent.
The bill requires that 3 percent of renewable power generation come from “distributed generation.” This requirement will stimulate installation of small and medium solar power plants on rooftops and commercial properties.
Senate Democrats have also promoted the legislation as essential to creating skilled, high-paying jobs.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs. That is our primary focus for this session and this bill,” Sen. Bruce Whitehead said. “The renewable energy standard will cement our position as the premier location for new-energy-economy companies to come and create new jobs.”
A press release from the governor’s office announcing the bill claimed it would “give Colorado the best clean-energy requirement in the Rocky Mountain West, create thousands of new jobs and lead to 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade.”
These estimates are supported by a recent study released by conservation groups Environment Colorado and Vote Solar. Over the next decade, the report concludes, the higher mandate could generate as many as 23,000 new jobs in Colorado.
Penry also is committed to expanding jobs. But he is apparently not interested in the kind of jobs that would be created by passage of the expanded renewable energy standard.
He would like to see a miraculous return of the natural gas drilling boom. He appears to believe nullification of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules and new subsidies for the industry are all that are required to make that happen.
“Republicans need to get off the anti-renewable gig,” Penry said. But “Democrats are going to have to recognize that we have to aggressively produce conventional sources of energy.”
Penry also objects to the bill because he considers it friendly to labor.
One provision of HB 1001 would require that solar panels must be installed by, or under the supervision of, an “energy practitioner” certified by the American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners to qualify for subsidies.
Only a licensed master or journeyman electrician would qualify to do electrical work under the rebate program.
Led by Penry, who claimed to detect “the foul odor of special interests,” Republicans claimed these requirements were put in for the benefit of unions. “They are central planning that would make the old Soviets blush,” Penry said, according to The Durango Herald.
That overstates the case. It is possible for workers to qualify for certification by attending a community college or commercial trade school.
However, the bill has union support, and no doubt they expect their members to benefit from it.
Penry and his Republican cabal are so intent on resisting any legislation that benefits labor, that they overlook the obvious problem of not certifying installers. Allowing poorly trained or inexperienced low-wage workers to undertake the complex task of wiring thousands of homes and commercial buildings for solar generation is a prescription for disaster.
“My children, your children, our future relies on finding sources of energy other than what we already have,” Whitehead said. HB 1001 is the next step forward for Colorado.
Bill Grant lives in Grand Junction. He can be reached at wgrant@bgsu.edu.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Fruita Video Plus gets solar power, Lowers Expenses
Fruita Video Plus gets solar power, lowers expenses
FREE PRESS STAFF REPORT,
Dennis Stark is no newcomer to the DVD and game rental business.
He began his rental business in 1991 in Clifton. He then moved the business to Fruita in 1998. He called the business Video Plus because he rented games as well as movies. Dennis says that the favorite part of running his store is getting to know his customers. He says that there are lots of DVD rental stores out there, but few of them have someone who knows your name, what kind of films you like, or cares whether you return for more business.
Dennis likes to visit with people who come in his store. His strategy is to “beat the competitors on quality.” Dennis is very proud of his current crew at the store - he values his employees. Dennis invests in his business. That is why he had commercial solar power installed on his building. How did it happen?
It all started when Dennis got a energy audit and found out he could get cash rebates from Xcel Energy to reduce his monthly business operating expenses by using energy more efficiently. He decided that the next step was to produce his own clean and green power on-site with a commercial solar power system from Atlasta Solar.
Dennis got cash rebates from Xcel Energy, Tax Credits from the Federal Government, as well as accelerated depreciation for the business equipment capital investment. Dennis selected Atlasta Solar because Atlasta Solar is the longest operating solar company in western Colorado and has the most experience in their industry. Dennis says what he likes about the solar system is that it is “absolutely maintenance-free.”
Give Dennis a call at Video Plus 858-9643 and tell him your favorite movies!
And give Atlasta Solar Center a call to find out what commercial solar can save your business money every day!
Atlasta Solar
2923 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81504-4977,
248-0057
www.atlastasolarstore.com
FREE PRESS STAFF REPORT,
Dennis Stark is no newcomer to the DVD and game rental business.
He began his rental business in 1991 in Clifton. He then moved the business to Fruita in 1998. He called the business Video Plus because he rented games as well as movies. Dennis says that the favorite part of running his store is getting to know his customers. He says that there are lots of DVD rental stores out there, but few of them have someone who knows your name, what kind of films you like, or cares whether you return for more business.
Dennis likes to visit with people who come in his store. His strategy is to “beat the competitors on quality.” Dennis is very proud of his current crew at the store - he values his employees. Dennis invests in his business. That is why he had commercial solar power installed on his building. How did it happen?
It all started when Dennis got a energy audit and found out he could get cash rebates from Xcel Energy to reduce his monthly business operating expenses by using energy more efficiently. He decided that the next step was to produce his own clean and green power on-site with a commercial solar power system from Atlasta Solar.
Dennis got cash rebates from Xcel Energy, Tax Credits from the Federal Government, as well as accelerated depreciation for the business equipment capital investment. Dennis selected Atlasta Solar because Atlasta Solar is the longest operating solar company in western Colorado and has the most experience in their industry. Dennis says what he likes about the solar system is that it is “absolutely maintenance-free.”
Give Dennis a call at Video Plus 858-9643 and tell him your favorite movies!
And give Atlasta Solar Center a call to find out what commercial solar can save your business money every day!
Atlasta Solar
2923 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81504-4977,
248-0057
www.atlastasolarstore.com
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Colorado Senate advances higher renewable-energy standard
Colorado Senate advances higher renewable-energy standard
Denver Business Journal - by Ed Sealover
Friday, March 5, 2010, 2:57pm MST|Modified:Friday,March 5, 2010, 5:46pm
Colorado stands just two steps away from enacting the second-highest standard in the country for renewable-energy production requirements by utilities, and now Gov. Bill Ritter also wants to raise the national bar on cutting air pollution.
The Colorado Senate gave final approval to a bill Friday that would raise from 20 percent to 30 percent the amount of power that Xcel Energy and other investor-owned utilities serving state residents would have to produce from renewable sources. Democrats said the measure would bring jobs, while Republicans said it would drive utility costs through the roof.
The new standard would have to be met by 2020 and would put Colorado behind only California, which mandates that 33 percent of its energy come from renewable sources.
Shortly after that vote, Ritter, environmentalists and officials from Xcel Energy announced that they will introduce the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. The legislation, if passed, would require Xcel to cut pollutants greatly by retiring, retrofitting or repowering Front Range coal-fired power plants by the end of 2017 and replacing them with facilities fueled by natural gas and other lower- or non-emitting energy sources.
“Colorado’s New Energy Economy is already leading the country toward a cleaner and more secure energy future,” Ritter said in a statement. “This proposal will keep Colorado at the forefront of America’s energy revolution. It will protect consumers, clean our air and protect public health, and create new jobs by increasing demand for Colorado-produced natural gas.”
The new proposal, for which Ritter already has reached agreement with the utility giant, followed a sometimes caustic debate on the renewable-energy standards bill that spanned eight hours Thursday and nearly four more hours on Friday.
Sponsoring Sens. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, said the bill, House Bill 1001, would create new renewable-energy jobs. And Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, said the move to American-made sources of energy will help all businesses by no longer making their fuel costs subject to the price fluctuations that come with buying foreign fuel.
“One of the benefits of this bill, among many, is that it’s going to commit to the growth of an industry that is not just short-term job creation but long term,” said Sen. Michael Johnston, D-Denver.
But Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry disputed the job-growth argument, saying that studies have shown that there were 17,000 clean-energy jobs in Colorado in 2007 — less than the 17,200 that existed here in 2001.
And Penry and Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, complained vociferously about a clause in the bill that allows only electricians with certain training and a certain number of apprentices to install new alternative-energy devices like solar panels. Mitchell called it “goodies for labor.”
“There are more words, paragraphs and pages directed toward protecting union jobs than there are to promoting renewable energy,” Penry said.
The bill passed on a 21-13 party-line vote, with Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, not voting because he works for a rural electrical association. The measure now goes back to the House to concur with minor changes made in the Senate and, if approved there, would head to Ritter, who is expected to sign it.
esealover@bizjournals.com | 303-831-0230
All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.
Denver Business Journal - by Ed Sealover
Friday, March 5, 2010, 2:57pm MST|Modified:Friday,March 5, 2010, 5:46pm
Colorado stands just two steps away from enacting the second-highest standard in the country for renewable-energy production requirements by utilities, and now Gov. Bill Ritter also wants to raise the national bar on cutting air pollution.
The Colorado Senate gave final approval to a bill Friday that would raise from 20 percent to 30 percent the amount of power that Xcel Energy and other investor-owned utilities serving state residents would have to produce from renewable sources. Democrats said the measure would bring jobs, while Republicans said it would drive utility costs through the roof.
The new standard would have to be met by 2020 and would put Colorado behind only California, which mandates that 33 percent of its energy come from renewable sources.
Shortly after that vote, Ritter, environmentalists and officials from Xcel Energy announced that they will introduce the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act. The legislation, if passed, would require Xcel to cut pollutants greatly by retiring, retrofitting or repowering Front Range coal-fired power plants by the end of 2017 and replacing them with facilities fueled by natural gas and other lower- or non-emitting energy sources.
“Colorado’s New Energy Economy is already leading the country toward a cleaner and more secure energy future,” Ritter said in a statement. “This proposal will keep Colorado at the forefront of America’s energy revolution. It will protect consumers, clean our air and protect public health, and create new jobs by increasing demand for Colorado-produced natural gas.”
The new proposal, for which Ritter already has reached agreement with the utility giant, followed a sometimes caustic debate on the renewable-energy standards bill that spanned eight hours Thursday and nearly four more hours on Friday.
Sponsoring Sens. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, said the bill, House Bill 1001, would create new renewable-energy jobs. And Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, said the move to American-made sources of energy will help all businesses by no longer making their fuel costs subject to the price fluctuations that come with buying foreign fuel.
“One of the benefits of this bill, among many, is that it’s going to commit to the growth of an industry that is not just short-term job creation but long term,” said Sen. Michael Johnston, D-Denver.
But Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry disputed the job-growth argument, saying that studies have shown that there were 17,000 clean-energy jobs in Colorado in 2007 — less than the 17,200 that existed here in 2001.
And Penry and Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, complained vociferously about a clause in the bill that allows only electricians with certain training and a certain number of apprentices to install new alternative-energy devices like solar panels. Mitchell called it “goodies for labor.”
“There are more words, paragraphs and pages directed toward protecting union jobs than there are to promoting renewable energy,” Penry said.
The bill passed on a 21-13 party-line vote, with Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, not voting because he works for a rural electrical association. The measure now goes back to the House to concur with minor changes made in the Senate and, if approved there, would head to Ritter, who is expected to sign it.
esealover@bizjournals.com | 303-831-0230
All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Energy Bill Worries Businesses
Energy Bill Worries Businesses
Posted: Mar 06, 2010 6:39 PM MST
Updated: Mar 06, 2010 6:42 PM MST
TAMI BREHSE
TBREHSE@KJCT8.COM
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - A bill that would raise renewable energy standards for utility companies is sparking some heated debate. House bill 1001 would require certain utility companies to produce 30 percent of their energy from renewable sources.
Some say it could create as many as 20,000 jobs. But others say it could cost them theirs.
"I'm already hurting on utility costs," says B2 Orchards owner Brad Brophy.
He's worried the bill will end up increasing energy costs, in turn upping his electric bill.
"It will increase utility bills in the future," Brophy says, "which are already outrageous."
Opponents of the bill say renewable energy is too expensive to survive in the market on its own, so the government is supporting it through mandates like this one.
"The costs have to be absorbed somewhere," says opponent Kelly Sloan. "They either have to be absorbed by the company, or more generally passed on to the consumer in terms of higher prices."
But supporters of the bill say the mandates are necessary if we ever want to see green energy succeed.
"Solar and wind and renewable sources do need to have a leg up and be put on a level playing field," says Lou Villaire of Atlasta Solar.
He says the bill would bring much-needed job opportunities.
While the new requirements might bring jobs to the solar industry, opponents of the bill worry it'll take jobs away from oil and gas.
"At best it's worthless, at worst it's damaging," Sloan says.
But others say the end result will be worth it.
"When we look at the true costs of fossil fuels versus the cost of renewable energy," Villaire says, "the renewables come out on top."
Posted: Mar 06, 2010 6:39 PM MST
Updated: Mar 06, 2010 6:42 PM MST
TAMI BREHSE
TBREHSE@KJCT8.COM
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - A bill that would raise renewable energy standards for utility companies is sparking some heated debate. House bill 1001 would require certain utility companies to produce 30 percent of their energy from renewable sources.
Some say it could create as many as 20,000 jobs. But others say it could cost them theirs.
"I'm already hurting on utility costs," says B2 Orchards owner Brad Brophy.
He's worried the bill will end up increasing energy costs, in turn upping his electric bill.
"It will increase utility bills in the future," Brophy says, "which are already outrageous."
Opponents of the bill say renewable energy is too expensive to survive in the market on its own, so the government is supporting it through mandates like this one.
"The costs have to be absorbed somewhere," says opponent Kelly Sloan. "They either have to be absorbed by the company, or more generally passed on to the consumer in terms of higher prices."
But supporters of the bill say the mandates are necessary if we ever want to see green energy succeed.
"Solar and wind and renewable sources do need to have a leg up and be put on a level playing field," says Lou Villaire of Atlasta Solar.
He says the bill would bring much-needed job opportunities.
While the new requirements might bring jobs to the solar industry, opponents of the bill worry it'll take jobs away from oil and gas.
"At best it's worthless, at worst it's damaging," Sloan says.
But others say the end result will be worth it.
"When we look at the true costs of fossil fuels versus the cost of renewable energy," Villaire says, "the renewables come out on top."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Solar Rally at Denver Capitol
Legislative Update
A rally for solar as Federal Center announces it will triple energy-producing panels
By Bruce Finley
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/18/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Hundreds of solar-power supporters make their way to the west steps of the Capitol during a rally Wednesday afternoon. The crowd, representing the Colorado solar industry, gathered at 16th and Lawrence streets and walked up the 16th Street Mall to the Capitol. ( Andy Cross, The Denver Post )
As the government launched a project Wednesday to install solar panels on 35 acres at the Denver Federal Center, 250 solar-industry workers marched through downtown to rally political support.
"This is the future of our economy. Even though we're nicknamed 'green collar,' we're the blue collar of the future," said R.J. Harrington, director of Boulder-based Simple Solar, one of more than 200 solar companies that employ about 1,500 workers statewide.
The action reflected growing enthusiasm for a greener economy that proponents say could propel Colorado out of doldrums.
"I want a long-term career. That's why I'm here," panel installer Wade Andrews, 33, said, marching amid "Solar Roofs = Local Jobs" signs. A Colorado State University graduate in philosophy, Andrews said his $38,000 salary, plus health benefits, gives a solid start.
Solar-industry leaders are lobbying for legislation to enable widespread installation of panels on residential and small-business roofs.
Lawmakers have introduced bills that would:
• Make it easier for homeowners to arrange financing for the upfront cost of solar panels.
• Require Colorado to generate 30 percent of energy used by consumers from renewable sources by 2020, up from a current requirement of 20 percent.
Supporting solar energy "is a win for banks," Rep. Joe Miklosi, D-Denver, said. Solar-company assets are growing, homeowners borrowing to buy panels fit profiles of those likely to repay loans, and a 30 percent target would stimulate further growth, Miklosi said. "This is about creating jobs."
At the Federal Center, Government Services Administration officials said installation of about 30,000 roof and ground-mounted solar panels would help meet a goal of generating 14 percent of energy used at the center from a renewable source.
About 6,000 federal employees work in 55 buildings at the 623-acre center in Lakewood — the largest federal center outside Washington, D.C.
"The addition of 35 acres of photovoltaic panels at the Denver Federal Center will encourage growth and create jobs in the domestic construction and green technology industries," GSA Administrator Martha Johnson said.
The new solar arrays would triple the acreage covered by solar panels. The project is being paid for with $5.5 billion in Recovery Act tax funds given to GSA to make federal offices more efficient.
Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14422682#ixzz0gIMtlDr0
A rally for solar as Federal Center announces it will triple energy-producing panels
By Bruce Finley
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/18/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Hundreds of solar-power supporters make their way to the west steps of the Capitol during a rally Wednesday afternoon. The crowd, representing the Colorado solar industry, gathered at 16th and Lawrence streets and walked up the 16th Street Mall to the Capitol. ( Andy Cross, The Denver Post )
As the government launched a project Wednesday to install solar panels on 35 acres at the Denver Federal Center, 250 solar-industry workers marched through downtown to rally political support.
"This is the future of our economy. Even though we're nicknamed 'green collar,' we're the blue collar of the future," said R.J. Harrington, director of Boulder-based Simple Solar, one of more than 200 solar companies that employ about 1,500 workers statewide.
The action reflected growing enthusiasm for a greener economy that proponents say could propel Colorado out of doldrums.
"I want a long-term career. That's why I'm here," panel installer Wade Andrews, 33, said, marching amid "Solar Roofs = Local Jobs" signs. A Colorado State University graduate in philosophy, Andrews said his $38,000 salary, plus health benefits, gives a solid start.
Solar-industry leaders are lobbying for legislation to enable widespread installation of panels on residential and small-business roofs.
Lawmakers have introduced bills that would:
• Make it easier for homeowners to arrange financing for the upfront cost of solar panels.
• Require Colorado to generate 30 percent of energy used by consumers from renewable sources by 2020, up from a current requirement of 20 percent.
Supporting solar energy "is a win for banks," Rep. Joe Miklosi, D-Denver, said. Solar-company assets are growing, homeowners borrowing to buy panels fit profiles of those likely to repay loans, and a 30 percent target would stimulate further growth, Miklosi said. "This is about creating jobs."
At the Federal Center, Government Services Administration officials said installation of about 30,000 roof and ground-mounted solar panels would help meet a goal of generating 14 percent of energy used at the center from a renewable source.
About 6,000 federal employees work in 55 buildings at the 623-acre center in Lakewood — the largest federal center outside Washington, D.C.
"The addition of 35 acres of photovoltaic panels at the Denver Federal Center will encourage growth and create jobs in the domestic construction and green technology industries," GSA Administrator Martha Johnson said.
The new solar arrays would triple the acreage covered by solar panels. The project is being paid for with $5.5 billion in Recovery Act tax funds given to GSA to make federal offices more efficient.
Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14422682#ixzz0gIMtlDr0
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Bill seeks to expand renewable energy standard
Voters approved Amendment 37 five years ago requiring Colorado's top utility companies to acquire 10 percent of its retail electricity from “clean” sources like wind or solar.
A couple of years later, the renewable energy standard was boosted to 20 percent by 2020 — a goal already reached.
Last week the Colorado House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill 10-1001, legislation that would again expand the state's renewable energy standard to 30 percent by 2020. The measure's sponsors include Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood, Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, and Sens. Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, and Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass.
Utilities were able to reach their previous mandate before the target date of 2020 by buying excess electricity produced on homes, farms and businesses of owners who installed their own solar panels. Distributed Generation, or “on-site” electricity, as it's called, does not require additional transmission facilities to connect to the grid.
Residential renewable businesses have tripled in Colorado since voters first approved the Renewable Energy Standard (Amendment 37) in 2004, according to Environment Colorado. The environmental organization also maintains that photovoltaic installation creates more jobs per megawatt than any other electricity source.
Xcel spokesman Tom Henley said the utility company would “support the bill as long as we can keep it under the 2 percent cap for bill impacts for our customers.”
A 2 percent surcharge for the renewable energy adjustment was born out of Amendment 37, Henley said.
Alan Deslongchamp of Simplicity Solar said he expects utilities like Xcel and Black Ridge to extend rebates making it more feasible for people to install solar on their homes and businesses and provide a source of renewable power for the utilities to purchase.
“The other thing in the bill that is valuable, it requires certification to do solar (installation),” said Heidi Ihrke of High Noon Solar, a company with national certification.
The bill will be voted on the floor of the House once more, before moving to the Senate.
Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, said in an e-mail that she will not vote for the bill.
“HB 10-1001 is one more strike against the already struggling oil and gas industry in Western Colorado. A mandated increase in renewable energy correlates to a decrease in the use of fossil fuels and natural gas, killing jobs right here in Mesa County,” wrote Bradford.
An Environment Colorado press release quotes Colorado AFL-CIO president Mike Cerbo as saying the bill would bring “good, green jobs to the state.”
A spokeswoman for Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he was in the process of reviewing the legislation.
Article from GJ Free Press 17 Feb 2010
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
A couple of years later, the renewable energy standard was boosted to 20 percent by 2020 — a goal already reached.
Last week the Colorado House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill 10-1001, legislation that would again expand the state's renewable energy standard to 30 percent by 2020. The measure's sponsors include Rep. Max Tyler, D-Lakewood, Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, and Sens. Bruce Whitehead, D-Hesperus, and Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass.
Utilities were able to reach their previous mandate before the target date of 2020 by buying excess electricity produced on homes, farms and businesses of owners who installed their own solar panels. Distributed Generation, or “on-site” electricity, as it's called, does not require additional transmission facilities to connect to the grid.
Residential renewable businesses have tripled in Colorado since voters first approved the Renewable Energy Standard (Amendment 37) in 2004, according to Environment Colorado. The environmental organization also maintains that photovoltaic installation creates more jobs per megawatt than any other electricity source.
Xcel spokesman Tom Henley said the utility company would “support the bill as long as we can keep it under the 2 percent cap for bill impacts for our customers.”
A 2 percent surcharge for the renewable energy adjustment was born out of Amendment 37, Henley said.
Alan Deslongchamp of Simplicity Solar said he expects utilities like Xcel and Black Ridge to extend rebates making it more feasible for people to install solar on their homes and businesses and provide a source of renewable power for the utilities to purchase.
“The other thing in the bill that is valuable, it requires certification to do solar (installation),” said Heidi Ihrke of High Noon Solar, a company with national certification.
The bill will be voted on the floor of the House once more, before moving to the Senate.
Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, said in an e-mail that she will not vote for the bill.
“HB 10-1001 is one more strike against the already struggling oil and gas industry in Western Colorado. A mandated increase in renewable energy correlates to a decrease in the use of fossil fuels and natural gas, killing jobs right here in Mesa County,” wrote Bradford.
An Environment Colorado press release quotes Colorado AFL-CIO president Mike Cerbo as saying the bill would bring “good, green jobs to the state.”
A spokeswoman for Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he was in the process of reviewing the legislation.
Article from GJ Free Press 17 Feb 2010
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Energy Forum & Expo 2010: Come learn about the future of energy
Falling as it does each year, shortly after the president’s State of the Union address, the Energy Forum & Expo often serves as a reality check on the ambitions of federal policy makers.
Amid the calls for cleaner energy, more investment in “green” jobs and technology and less dependence on foreign oil are a litany of real-world challenges standing in the way.
Some of those hurdles will be enumerated during the Energy Forum & Expo. But promising solutions will be presented as well. Speakers and exhibitors are invited to share their research, long-term projections and cutting-edge technologies regarding the world’s single most important commodity: energy.
Energy drives global markets and factors into production costs for everything we consume, said Kathy Hall, a member of the expo’s organizing committee. It’s also at the heart of debates on national security, foreign policy, the world climate and global economic development.
And western Colorado is uniquely positioned to meet the country’s demand for more energy – whether it’s clean or conventional.
“You name it, we have it: coal, gas, oil shale, uranium, solar, geothermal and on and on ... it’s an economic solidity that we’ve always had, whether we exploit it or not,” Hall said.
“The focus of the expo has never changed,” Hall added. “We’ve always been about looking at the future of energy and positioning ourselves to develop our vast resources in an environmentally-sensitive way to secure a strong economic base and a safe, prosperous future for our children.”
The Daily Sentinel published a week-long series, “Energy Alley,” starting Dec. 27, 2009, which provided a detailed inventory of the wealth of energy sources in this region. (The first story of the series is included in this program and the entire series will be republished in March as part of the Sentinel’s annual “Portrait” series.)
Hall, a former Mesa County commissioner, commended the series because it illustrated a message the Energy Forum & Expo has been trying to impart for five years – that western Colorado is well positioned to play a major role in America’s future energy needs.
The series also dovetailed with the expo’s mission of educating people to effect change.
“If citizens do not force politicians to do something, then nothing will get done,” Hall said, adding, “I can say that as a recovering politician.”
ENERGY FORUM & EXPO CO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
TWO RIVERS
CONVENTION CENTER
8:00AM—4:00PM
Amid the calls for cleaner energy, more investment in “green” jobs and technology and less dependence on foreign oil are a litany of real-world challenges standing in the way.
Some of those hurdles will be enumerated during the Energy Forum & Expo. But promising solutions will be presented as well. Speakers and exhibitors are invited to share their research, long-term projections and cutting-edge technologies regarding the world’s single most important commodity: energy.
Energy drives global markets and factors into production costs for everything we consume, said Kathy Hall, a member of the expo’s organizing committee. It’s also at the heart of debates on national security, foreign policy, the world climate and global economic development.
And western Colorado is uniquely positioned to meet the country’s demand for more energy – whether it’s clean or conventional.
“You name it, we have it: coal, gas, oil shale, uranium, solar, geothermal and on and on ... it’s an economic solidity that we’ve always had, whether we exploit it or not,” Hall said.
“The focus of the expo has never changed,” Hall added. “We’ve always been about looking at the future of energy and positioning ourselves to develop our vast resources in an environmentally-sensitive way to secure a strong economic base and a safe, prosperous future for our children.”
The Daily Sentinel published a week-long series, “Energy Alley,” starting Dec. 27, 2009, which provided a detailed inventory of the wealth of energy sources in this region. (The first story of the series is included in this program and the entire series will be republished in March as part of the Sentinel’s annual “Portrait” series.)
Hall, a former Mesa County commissioner, commended the series because it illustrated a message the Energy Forum & Expo has been trying to impart for five years – that western Colorado is well positioned to play a major role in America’s future energy needs.
The series also dovetailed with the expo’s mission of educating people to effect change.
“If citizens do not force politicians to do something, then nothing will get done,” Hall said, adding, “I can say that as a recovering politician.”
ENERGY FORUM & EXPO CO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
TWO RIVERS
CONVENTION CENTER
8:00AM—4:00PM
Saturday, February 13, 2010
CoSEIA Annual Conference & Expo
CoSEIA Annual Conference & Expo
Building a Sustainable Solar Economy
February 17-19, 2010
Sheraton Denver West
360 Union Boulevard. Lakewood, CO 80228
CoSEIA brings the solar industry together once again for two full days including meetings, workshops, panel discussions, exciting speakers, networking, the vendor expo and more. This will be the biggest solar event in the state and will focus on sustaining Colorado's Solar Economy.
Rally to the Capitol Wednesday, February 17th - Rally to the Capitol followed by a Welcome Reception that will allow plenty of opportunity to mingle and renew old acquaintances. Sponsors for reception are welcomed! | Rally Flyer & Map>
Thursday, February 18th - Vendor Expo, Conference & Annual Meeting. The morning session will be followed by the members-only annual meeting and announcement of new board members. The vendor expo continues throughout the day from morning to evening.
Friday, February 19th - Vendor Expo and Workshops. Focus shifts to education, bringing you a full day of workshops taught by renowned industry experts Bill Brooks and John Siegenthaler.
Sponsors and exhibitors for this one-of-a-kind event are currently being sought! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to connect with Colorado's solar leaders. Reducing your carbon footprint? Track your travel offset at Colorado Carbon Fund's Project C>
Building a Sustainable Solar Economy
February 17-19, 2010
Sheraton Denver West
360 Union Boulevard. Lakewood, CO 80228
CoSEIA brings the solar industry together once again for two full days including meetings, workshops, panel discussions, exciting speakers, networking, the vendor expo and more. This will be the biggest solar event in the state and will focus on sustaining Colorado's Solar Economy.
Rally to the Capitol Wednesday, February 17th - Rally to the Capitol followed by a Welcome Reception that will allow plenty of opportunity to mingle and renew old acquaintances. Sponsors for reception are welcomed! | Rally Flyer & Map>
Thursday, February 18th - Vendor Expo, Conference & Annual Meeting. The morning session will be followed by the members-only annual meeting and announcement of new board members. The vendor expo continues throughout the day from morning to evening.
Friday, February 19th - Vendor Expo and Workshops. Focus shifts to education, bringing you a full day of workshops taught by renowned industry experts Bill Brooks and John Siegenthaler.
Sponsors and exhibitors for this one-of-a-kind event are currently being sought! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to connect with Colorado's solar leaders. Reducing your carbon footprint? Track your travel offset at Colorado Carbon Fund's Project C>
Thursday, February 11, 2010
True cost is high for nuclear energy
Nuclear energy proponents are touting their fallacies again. They don’t seem to realize that tons of fossil fuels are typically used (for electricity and heating) in constructing and operating mining and milling processes necessary for nuclear plants.
This includes massive numbers of truck and cart hauls of uranium ore and wastes. Low-level radioactive dust infiltrates the air and waterways everywhere this transporting takes place. Small amounts of mutagenic or carcinogenic radioactive isotopes like xenon, krypton, argon and tritium are often discharged into the air from nuclear plants’ stacks, too.
Nuclear cheerleaders espouse the low cost of the actual energy generation from their process compared to other fuels, but they conveniently leave out the cost of building the actual plant. A new nuclear plant realistically costs almost $11 billion now. That and other factors make a nuclear plant’s 7.5 cents per kwh energy cost more than many of the renewable-energy generation methods — and that is with stupefying taxpayer subsidies for nuclear.
These taxpayer subsidies include the biggest share of U.S. Energy Department research and development costs, $54 billion for 100 percent guaranteed federal loans, outright construction funds, waste clean-ups (like our own region’s $ 2.3 billion program), storage facilities security, 90 percent of a potential companies’ liability costs, a bloated Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a $930 million annual budget, higher health insurance costs for us all due to related disease, $150,000 federal compensation and full-time nursing care for impacted nuclear industry employees, and all kinds of local and state governmental employees required to permit and monitor radioactive operations.
If solar energy would have had the money that went to nuclear the last three decades, the United States could now be using the sun for most of our daytime energy and the cleanest natural-gas power plants for our nighttime and other backup needs.
JOEL PRUDHOMME Grand Junction
This includes massive numbers of truck and cart hauls of uranium ore and wastes. Low-level radioactive dust infiltrates the air and waterways everywhere this transporting takes place. Small amounts of mutagenic or carcinogenic radioactive isotopes like xenon, krypton, argon and tritium are often discharged into the air from nuclear plants’ stacks, too.
Nuclear cheerleaders espouse the low cost of the actual energy generation from their process compared to other fuels, but they conveniently leave out the cost of building the actual plant. A new nuclear plant realistically costs almost $11 billion now. That and other factors make a nuclear plant’s 7.5 cents per kwh energy cost more than many of the renewable-energy generation methods — and that is with stupefying taxpayer subsidies for nuclear.
These taxpayer subsidies include the biggest share of U.S. Energy Department research and development costs, $54 billion for 100 percent guaranteed federal loans, outright construction funds, waste clean-ups (like our own region’s $ 2.3 billion program), storage facilities security, 90 percent of a potential companies’ liability costs, a bloated Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a $930 million annual budget, higher health insurance costs for us all due to related disease, $150,000 federal compensation and full-time nursing care for impacted nuclear industry employees, and all kinds of local and state governmental employees required to permit and monitor radioactive operations.
If solar energy would have had the money that went to nuclear the last three decades, the United States could now be using the sun for most of our daytime energy and the cleanest natural-gas power plants for our nighttime and other backup needs.
JOEL PRUDHOMME Grand Junction
Monday, February 1, 2010
Fruita officials will put dollars into solar energy at new center
Fruita officials will put dollars into solar energy at new center
By Mike Wiggins
Monday, January 11, 2010
The city of Fruita plans to install a solar energy system in its new community center, a move to go green that city officials hope will also save it some green in the long run.
City officials are sorting through 11 bids they received from companies seeking to build a series of solar panels on the roof of the $11.2 million facility that is expected to open in a year.
Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said initial estimates are that the 100-kilowatt system would provide up to 30 percent of the electricity needed to run the community center.
“Our goal for the city is to try to use renewable energy and be as green as possible,” he said. “We’re also trying to be fiscally responsible.”
To that end, Nycum said the city plans to forge an agreement with whichever company the city chooses that would call for that company to pay for the installation of the solar panels. The city would purchase power from the company — Nycum said Fruita hopes to lock in that price at a rate that’s less than what it pays Xcel Energy — while Xcel would give the company tax credits.
The company would own the solar panels for 20 years. After that, the city would have the option of purchasing them, Nycum said.
Ultimately, he said, the agreement should benefit all three parties involved: The city will run part of its community center on less-expensive, renewable energy, the solar-panel company will be paid by both the city and Xcel Energy, and Xcel will take another step toward meeting a state requirement that it produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020.
Nycum said the city hopes to select a firm to install the system by February.
By Mike Wiggins
Monday, January 11, 2010
The city of Fruita plans to install a solar energy system in its new community center, a move to go green that city officials hope will also save it some green in the long run.
City officials are sorting through 11 bids they received from companies seeking to build a series of solar panels on the roof of the $11.2 million facility that is expected to open in a year.
Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said initial estimates are that the 100-kilowatt system would provide up to 30 percent of the electricity needed to run the community center.
“Our goal for the city is to try to use renewable energy and be as green as possible,” he said. “We’re also trying to be fiscally responsible.”
To that end, Nycum said the city plans to forge an agreement with whichever company the city chooses that would call for that company to pay for the installation of the solar panels. The city would purchase power from the company — Nycum said Fruita hopes to lock in that price at a rate that’s less than what it pays Xcel Energy — while Xcel would give the company tax credits.
The company would own the solar panels for 20 years. After that, the city would have the option of purchasing them, Nycum said.
Ultimately, he said, the agreement should benefit all three parties involved: The city will run part of its community center on less-expensive, renewable energy, the solar-panel company will be paid by both the city and Xcel Energy, and Xcel will take another step toward meeting a state requirement that it produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020.
Nycum said the city hopes to select a firm to install the system by February.
Powerhouse Gym ‘goes green’
Powerhouse Gym ‘goes green’
Tom Bishop, general manager of Powerhouse Gym, throws a plastic water bottle into the recycling bin.
By Richie Ann Ashcraft
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Powerhouse Gym has a made a commitment to members and the Grand Junction community to do its part to reduce the gym’s carbon footprint on the world.
Tom Bishop, general manager of the 24-hour facility, said he saw a significant need to practice greener ways within the gym.
For example, gym members consume between 5 to 8 cases of protein and electrolyte drinks per day. Most of those plastic bottles were ending up in the trash until Bishop added recycling bins for plastics.
“With 900 members the impact we make on the environment is pretty significant,” Bishop said.
Staff has changed from harsh chemicals to green cleaning products, which they now use to disinfect the workout machines throughout the day.
“I started to take a look at how cost effective it would be to switch cleaning products and it turned out to be the same, and sometimes cheaper, to switch,” Bishop said.
Next Bishop tackled the energy problem that running multiple television sets and exercise equipment such as treadmills created. Just last week, the gym had a 20,000 kilowatt solar system installed on the roof by Atlasta Solar to solve that problem.
“We had it all designed so that it would take care of most of our daily energy needs,” Bishop said, “It should be powering virtually everything in here all day.”
Much of the cost of the new system was covered by government and local rebates. “We got at least $115,000 in rebates,” Bishop said.
Bishop switched all the light bulbs to Energy Star fluorescent bulbs with motion sensors so that lights would not be running in the middle of the night if nobody was in the gym working out.
Bishop even drives a SmartCar when he has errands to run for the gym. The tiny car also serves as mobile advertising.
“We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as we can,” Bishop said of all the changes the gym has made to “go green.”
In honor of its environmental stewardship, Powerhouse Gym is offering the “Get Lean-Go Green” special this month. New memberships are available for only $19 a month and no sign-up fee is required. The gym is located at 2460 F Road, Unit 5. For information, call 242-9099.
Tom Bishop, general manager of Powerhouse Gym, throws a plastic water bottle into the recycling bin.
By Richie Ann Ashcraft
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Powerhouse Gym has a made a commitment to members and the Grand Junction community to do its part to reduce the gym’s carbon footprint on the world.
Tom Bishop, general manager of the 24-hour facility, said he saw a significant need to practice greener ways within the gym.
For example, gym members consume between 5 to 8 cases of protein and electrolyte drinks per day. Most of those plastic bottles were ending up in the trash until Bishop added recycling bins for plastics.
“With 900 members the impact we make on the environment is pretty significant,” Bishop said.
Staff has changed from harsh chemicals to green cleaning products, which they now use to disinfect the workout machines throughout the day.
“I started to take a look at how cost effective it would be to switch cleaning products and it turned out to be the same, and sometimes cheaper, to switch,” Bishop said.
Next Bishop tackled the energy problem that running multiple television sets and exercise equipment such as treadmills created. Just last week, the gym had a 20,000 kilowatt solar system installed on the roof by Atlasta Solar to solve that problem.
“We had it all designed so that it would take care of most of our daily energy needs,” Bishop said, “It should be powering virtually everything in here all day.”
Much of the cost of the new system was covered by government and local rebates. “We got at least $115,000 in rebates,” Bishop said.
Bishop switched all the light bulbs to Energy Star fluorescent bulbs with motion sensors so that lights would not be running in the middle of the night if nobody was in the gym working out.
Bishop even drives a SmartCar when he has errands to run for the gym. The tiny car also serves as mobile advertising.
“We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as we can,” Bishop said of all the changes the gym has made to “go green.”
In honor of its environmental stewardship, Powerhouse Gym is offering the “Get Lean-Go Green” special this month. New memberships are available for only $19 a month and no sign-up fee is required. The gym is located at 2460 F Road, Unit 5. For information, call 242-9099.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Finance options for home solar are growing
Finance options for home solar are growing
BY CHRIS KAHN
AP ENERGY WRITER,
NEW YORK (AP) - Rooftop solar panels usually sound great until you see the price tag. Even with generous tax breaks, a home-installed system can cost as much as an SUV depending where you live.
But what if you could put solar on your roof virtually for free?
Solar companies hungry to get panels on your home have come up with some innovative ways to finance complete solar systems.
Before you sign up, however, do the math and make sure it adds up. With so many local, government and federal incentives, it might be cheaper just to buy the system.
Here are some companies and financing plans that can get you into solar. In some cases the plans require no money up front, and the monthly payment can be paid with the savings from your utility bill.
LEASING
Solar companies in the Southwest have begun to lease solar systems. Companies like SunRun and SolarCity also take care of maintenance and other service issues you'd be on the hook for if you bought a system outright.
Leasing programs are beginning to expand outside of the sunny Southwest and may be coming to your town soon.
The payoff depends largely on where you live.
Colorado and Oregon residents would likely break even with a solar lease if their current electricity bill averages $50 a month, according to SolarCity. Yet in California and Arizona, where energy costs can run higher, the break-even point rises to $125 a month.
SunRun offers 18- to 20-year leases in California, Arizona, Colorado and Massachusetts.
Homeowners can put as little as no money down. But the more you pay upfront, the smaller your monthly lease will be.
Another plus is that the solar company sticks around to make sure everything is running correctly for the life of the lease, said Lynn Jurich, co-founder of SunRun.
“A lot of people are intimidated by this equipment,” Jurich said. “They're worried that if they put these big panels on their roof. There's going to be maintenance costs. There's going to be issues down the road.”
SunRun's Web page http://www.sunrunhome.com has a lot of information about how costs vary in different locations and the costs versus savings.
SolarCity offers leases in California, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado. It's expected to announce five new operating regions this year.
The company also has a calculator on its Web site http://www.solarcity.com/residential/solar-lease.aspx to help potential customers weigh the costs.
Both companies allow customers to extend leases, and they offer free removal when the lease expires.
Leases can also be transferred if the house is sold, which is usually the option that new owners choose, the companies say. The original owner would have to pay down the lease if the new owner did not want the system.
POWER-PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Homeowners may also choose a variable plan that charges the homeowner for the amount o f power the system generates. Both SolarCity and SunRun will install a system, maintain it, and adjust the monthly fee according to how much power the system generates. In other words, homeowners are not penalized if their rooftop system fails to produce as much energy as expected. Such agreements also last from 15 to 20 years and are available in limited locations.
BUYING IN BULK
Another company allows consumers in the same town to work together to lower the cost of solar.
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) groups potential buyers together, and when there's enough, it buys systems at a lower bulk rate. The company acts as a middleman and negotiates with solar companies for the best deals.
In addition to cost savings of 15 percent, the company works as a technical adviser for the homeowners, picking installers and panels that have a good track record.
1BOG, which makes money by charging a finder's fee to installers, already has established bulk-rate programs in numerous California cities, New Orleans, Denver and Phoenix. It's planning to launch new programs San Antonio, Honolulu, and parts of New Jersey. 1BOG also expects to expand in Austin, Texas, Miami, Aspen, Colo., Boston, Brooklyn, N.Y., Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Sacramento, Calif. and Washington D.C.
You can learn more about 1BOG's solar “communities” at www.1bog.org.
GOING COMMUNAL
There are still other ways to buy solar with little or nothing upfront.
Communities across the nation have created special finance districts that help people pay for solar through low-interest bonds. Homeowners can use the bonds to pay for solar systems and then finance the loan through higher property taxes.
The strategy, called property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs, allows the homeowner to spread the cost of buying solar over 20 years.
The Vote Solar Initiative, a nonprofit agency based in San Francisco that promotes solar energy use around the country, has become a major backer of PACE programs.
The group says solar finance districts have been cleared in almost 20 states, from California to Vermont.
BY CHRIS KAHN
AP ENERGY WRITER,
NEW YORK (AP) - Rooftop solar panels usually sound great until you see the price tag. Even with generous tax breaks, a home-installed system can cost as much as an SUV depending where you live.
But what if you could put solar on your roof virtually for free?
Solar companies hungry to get panels on your home have come up with some innovative ways to finance complete solar systems.
Before you sign up, however, do the math and make sure it adds up. With so many local, government and federal incentives, it might be cheaper just to buy the system.
Here are some companies and financing plans that can get you into solar. In some cases the plans require no money up front, and the monthly payment can be paid with the savings from your utility bill.
LEASING
Solar companies in the Southwest have begun to lease solar systems. Companies like SunRun and SolarCity also take care of maintenance and other service issues you'd be on the hook for if you bought a system outright.
Leasing programs are beginning to expand outside of the sunny Southwest and may be coming to your town soon.
The payoff depends largely on where you live.
Colorado and Oregon residents would likely break even with a solar lease if their current electricity bill averages $50 a month, according to SolarCity. Yet in California and Arizona, where energy costs can run higher, the break-even point rises to $125 a month.
SunRun offers 18- to 20-year leases in California, Arizona, Colorado and Massachusetts.
Homeowners can put as little as no money down. But the more you pay upfront, the smaller your monthly lease will be.
Another plus is that the solar company sticks around to make sure everything is running correctly for the life of the lease, said Lynn Jurich, co-founder of SunRun.
“A lot of people are intimidated by this equipment,” Jurich said. “They're worried that if they put these big panels on their roof. There's going to be maintenance costs. There's going to be issues down the road.”
SunRun's Web page http://www.sunrunhome.com has a lot of information about how costs vary in different locations and the costs versus savings.
SolarCity offers leases in California, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado. It's expected to announce five new operating regions this year.
The company also has a calculator on its Web site http://www.solarcity.com/residential/solar-lease.aspx to help potential customers weigh the costs.
Both companies allow customers to extend leases, and they offer free removal when the lease expires.
Leases can also be transferred if the house is sold, which is usually the option that new owners choose, the companies say. The original owner would have to pay down the lease if the new owner did not want the system.
POWER-PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Homeowners may also choose a variable plan that charges the homeowner for the amount o f power the system generates. Both SolarCity and SunRun will install a system, maintain it, and adjust the monthly fee according to how much power the system generates. In other words, homeowners are not penalized if their rooftop system fails to produce as much energy as expected. Such agreements also last from 15 to 20 years and are available in limited locations.
BUYING IN BULK
Another company allows consumers in the same town to work together to lower the cost of solar.
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) groups potential buyers together, and when there's enough, it buys systems at a lower bulk rate. The company acts as a middleman and negotiates with solar companies for the best deals.
In addition to cost savings of 15 percent, the company works as a technical adviser for the homeowners, picking installers and panels that have a good track record.
1BOG, which makes money by charging a finder's fee to installers, already has established bulk-rate programs in numerous California cities, New Orleans, Denver and Phoenix. It's planning to launch new programs San Antonio, Honolulu, and parts of New Jersey. 1BOG also expects to expand in Austin, Texas, Miami, Aspen, Colo., Boston, Brooklyn, N.Y., Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Sacramento, Calif. and Washington D.C.
You can learn more about 1BOG's solar “communities” at www.1bog.org.
GOING COMMUNAL
There are still other ways to buy solar with little or nothing upfront.
Communities across the nation have created special finance districts that help people pay for solar through low-interest bonds. Homeowners can use the bonds to pay for solar systems and then finance the loan through higher property taxes.
The strategy, called property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs, allows the homeowner to spread the cost of buying solar over 20 years.
The Vote Solar Initiative, a nonprofit agency based in San Francisco that promotes solar energy use around the country, has become a major backer of PACE programs.
The group says solar finance districts have been cleared in almost 20 states, from California to Vermont.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Colorado Increase in Renewable Standard
The Associated Press
DENVER
Colorado Democratic state lawmakers want to increase the amount of electricity coming from renewable sources, saying the move will help the environment and create jobs.
Under current law, investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy must get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources like wind and solar energy by 2020. Gov. Bill Ritter announced Tuesday that he is backing planned legislation requiring them to hit 30 percent over the next 10 years instead.
Democratic state Sens. Gail Schwartz and Bruce Whitehead plan to introduce the bill in the new legislative session, which starts Wednesday.
Rural electric associations must produce 10 percent of their energy by 2020 and the bill as proposed wouldn't change that.
Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest provider of electricity, said its current compliance plan will put it close to 30 percent.
Company spokesman Mark Stutz said the utility is willing to entertain raising the standard if customers continue to be protected from big price increases. Currently, utilities can't charge customers more than 2 percent of their monthly bill to pay for their increased use of renewable energy.
"As long as the cap on increased costs remains in place as protection for our customers, we are willing to consider increasing the standard," he said.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2010 ABC News Internet Ventures
DENVER
Colorado Democratic state lawmakers want to increase the amount of electricity coming from renewable sources, saying the move will help the environment and create jobs.
Under current law, investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy must get 20 percent of their power from renewable sources like wind and solar energy by 2020. Gov. Bill Ritter announced Tuesday that he is backing planned legislation requiring them to hit 30 percent over the next 10 years instead.
Democratic state Sens. Gail Schwartz and Bruce Whitehead plan to introduce the bill in the new legislative session, which starts Wednesday.
Rural electric associations must produce 10 percent of their energy by 2020 and the bill as proposed wouldn't change that.
Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest provider of electricity, said its current compliance plan will put it close to 30 percent.
Company spokesman Mark Stutz said the utility is willing to entertain raising the standard if customers continue to be protected from big price increases. Currently, utilities can't charge customers more than 2 percent of their monthly bill to pay for their increased use of renewable energy.
"As long as the cap on increased costs remains in place as protection for our customers, we are willing to consider increasing the standard," he said.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2010 ABC News Internet Ventures
Monday, January 18, 2010
Grande River Vineyards 70% of Energy Supplied from Solar Power
Grande River Vineyards 70% of Energy Supplied from Solar Power
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 9:43:46 AM - by Danny Vo
In western Colorado, a regional vineyard has chosen solar photovoltaic panels to reduce its energy burden and deliver clean, renewable energy.
Grande River Vineyards, near Palisade on the Western Slope, was founded in 1987 when Denver growers Stephen and Naomi Smith decided to take advantage of the Slope’s arid hillsides and moderate winters to produce some of the finest wine grapes in the nation.
Under the hands of vineyard manager Jim Mayrose, the enterprise was a success, and by 1990, Grande River Vineyards gave birth to its first crop of grapes, one third devoted entirely to house wines. In an average year, Grande River bottles between seven and eight thousands cases of wine.
Grande River is not alone; since the mid-1970s, Colorado’s wineries have grown from one to more than 70. But Grande River is the first vineyard in the state to take advantage of solar energy, an equally productive “crop” given the Western Slopes dry winters and generally sunny climate.
The Grande River solar array consists of 144 ground-mounted solar photovoltaic modules, angled to catch the maximum amount of the region’s solar insolation, which averages about 5.0 (on a scale of 2.5 to 6.5 in the continental United States).
Add to this the Western Slope’s average 3,200 hours per year of sun (on a scale of 1,600 hours in northern Washington State to 4,000 hours in some parts of southern California and Arizona), and one sees the perfect climate not only for crops but for solar electricity.
These 144 PV panels are expected to eventually provide about 70 percent of the electricity the vineyard uses to transform grapes into wine, and the installation, by Syndicated Solar Inc. of Grand Junction, guarantees that the array will perform as expected throughout its approximately 25-year lifetime.
The cost of the system is unknown, but Naomi Smith says her company took advantage of tax credits provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provided more than $6 billion in potential funding to businesses and homeowners, in the form of tax credits.
For businesses, the credits come either as energy investment tax credits (30 percent of the project’s cost) or production tax credits, up to 2.1 cents per kilowatt hour. A businesss may not claim both, but may elect a third option, the renewable energy grant, for property placed in service in 2009 or 2010.
At 144 panels and an unknown number of rated kilowatts, the system is about one-sixth the size of the solar array recently installed at New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins (870 panels, 200 kilowatts), makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale, but it is the first at a Colorado winery.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 9:43:46 AM - by Danny Vo
In western Colorado, a regional vineyard has chosen solar photovoltaic panels to reduce its energy burden and deliver clean, renewable energy.
Grande River Vineyards, near Palisade on the Western Slope, was founded in 1987 when Denver growers Stephen and Naomi Smith decided to take advantage of the Slope’s arid hillsides and moderate winters to produce some of the finest wine grapes in the nation.
Under the hands of vineyard manager Jim Mayrose, the enterprise was a success, and by 1990, Grande River Vineyards gave birth to its first crop of grapes, one third devoted entirely to house wines. In an average year, Grande River bottles between seven and eight thousands cases of wine.
Grande River is not alone; since the mid-1970s, Colorado’s wineries have grown from one to more than 70. But Grande River is the first vineyard in the state to take advantage of solar energy, an equally productive “crop” given the Western Slopes dry winters and generally sunny climate.
The Grande River solar array consists of 144 ground-mounted solar photovoltaic modules, angled to catch the maximum amount of the region’s solar insolation, which averages about 5.0 (on a scale of 2.5 to 6.5 in the continental United States).
Add to this the Western Slope’s average 3,200 hours per year of sun (on a scale of 1,600 hours in northern Washington State to 4,000 hours in some parts of southern California and Arizona), and one sees the perfect climate not only for crops but for solar electricity.
These 144 PV panels are expected to eventually provide about 70 percent of the electricity the vineyard uses to transform grapes into wine, and the installation, by Syndicated Solar Inc. of Grand Junction, guarantees that the array will perform as expected throughout its approximately 25-year lifetime.
The cost of the system is unknown, but Naomi Smith says her company took advantage of tax credits provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provided more than $6 billion in potential funding to businesses and homeowners, in the form of tax credits.
For businesses, the credits come either as energy investment tax credits (30 percent of the project’s cost) or production tax credits, up to 2.1 cents per kilowatt hour. A businesss may not claim both, but may elect a third option, the renewable energy grant, for property placed in service in 2009 or 2010.
At 144 panels and an unknown number of rated kilowatts, the system is about one-sixth the size of the solar array recently installed at New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins (870 panels, 200 kilowatts), makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale, but it is the first at a Colorado winery.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Atlasta Solar powers up the homeless shelter
Atlasta Solar powers up the homeless shelter
By Sharon Sullivan
Free Press Staff Writer,
The Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley homeless shelter, 2853 North Ave., is now partially solar-powered thanks to Atlasta Solar Center, a local solar company located down the street at 2923 North Ave.
Atlasta donated a 5 kilowatt-hour solar system to the homeless shelter in November.
The need was great and the timing was right, said Atlasta sales manager Lou Villaire.
“It fits well with their expansion plans,” Villaire said. “We had to situate the panels so they would not interfere with their planned reconstruction.”
The shelter plans to expand into 5,000 more square-feet at its existing 8,400-square-foot building to accommodate the growing number of people seeking shelter. Local churches are providing overnight shelter for winter months when the shelter is filled to capacity.
The relatively small system will help offset electricity bills, saving the shelter between $800 and $1,000 a year, Villaire said. As the cost of electricity goes up, the savings will increase.
Shelter Executive Director Gi Moon is grateful for the donation.
“When you compare it to the $12.50 cost for a night of safe shelter, two meals and a hot shower, that's significant,” Moon said, regarding the expected energy savings. “To us that's a tangible real difference, not to mention it allows us to be green.”
Atlasta donated the solar panels and the labor, keeping an Xcel rebate to offset the cost of the $45,000 system. That price would be considerably less for individuals and businesses able to take advantage of rebates and tax credits available for installing renewable energy.
A public open house and dedication of the system will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Lunch is being donated by Chipotle restaurant, 2504 Hwy 6.
The homeless shelter had been interested in exploring solar options for some time, Moon said.
“We're so appreciative to Atlasta for thinking of us for this project,” Moon said.
“It was like having a wish and then everything coming true for it.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
http://www.gjfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100113/COMMUNITY_NEWS/100119941/1076&ParentProfile=1059&template=printart
By Sharon Sullivan
Free Press Staff Writer,
The Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley homeless shelter, 2853 North Ave., is now partially solar-powered thanks to Atlasta Solar Center, a local solar company located down the street at 2923 North Ave.
Atlasta donated a 5 kilowatt-hour solar system to the homeless shelter in November.
The need was great and the timing was right, said Atlasta sales manager Lou Villaire.
“It fits well with their expansion plans,” Villaire said. “We had to situate the panels so they would not interfere with their planned reconstruction.”
The shelter plans to expand into 5,000 more square-feet at its existing 8,400-square-foot building to accommodate the growing number of people seeking shelter. Local churches are providing overnight shelter for winter months when the shelter is filled to capacity.
The relatively small system will help offset electricity bills, saving the shelter between $800 and $1,000 a year, Villaire said. As the cost of electricity goes up, the savings will increase.
Shelter Executive Director Gi Moon is grateful for the donation.
“When you compare it to the $12.50 cost for a night of safe shelter, two meals and a hot shower, that's significant,” Moon said, regarding the expected energy savings. “To us that's a tangible real difference, not to mention it allows us to be green.”
Atlasta donated the solar panels and the labor, keeping an Xcel rebate to offset the cost of the $45,000 system. That price would be considerably less for individuals and businesses able to take advantage of rebates and tax credits available for installing renewable energy.
A public open house and dedication of the system will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Lunch is being donated by Chipotle restaurant, 2504 Hwy 6.
The homeless shelter had been interested in exploring solar options for some time, Moon said.
“We're so appreciative to Atlasta for thinking of us for this project,” Moon said.
“It was like having a wish and then everything coming true for it.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
http://www.gjfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100113/COMMUNITY_NEWS/100119941/1076&ParentProfile=1059&template=printart
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Xcel Drops Colorado Solar Rebates Again
Price Drop in Small Solar Program
Email dated 12/31/2009-
Beginning today, Jan. 31, 2009, Small Customer-owned program applications will be approved with an upfront REC price of 70 cents per watt. This is Step 4 of the tiered pricing. The $2 per watt Rebate price is not affected.
This reflected in the pricing charts. To see the pricing charts, go to http://www.xcelenergy.com/solar and click on "View current prices".
Please email Xcel Energy at solarprogram@xcelenergy.com with questions
Email dated 12/31/2009-
Beginning today, Jan. 31, 2009, Small Customer-owned program applications will be approved with an upfront REC price of 70 cents per watt. This is Step 4 of the tiered pricing. The $2 per watt Rebate price is not affected.
This reflected in the pricing charts. To see the pricing charts, go to http://www.xcelenergy.com/solar and click on "View current prices".
Please email Xcel Energy at solarprogram@xcelenergy.com with questions
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Renewable energies a growing segment of power picture
Renewable energies a growing segment of power picture
By GARY HARMON/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The sunny skies of western Colorado and eastern Utah along Energy Alley are a powerful source of energy awaiting capture.
Heat trapped underground, likewise, is waiting to be turned to use on the surface.
Renewable-energy advocates also are looking anew at the energy generated when water runs downhill and when the wind blows.
From a proposed solar generation site in Green River, Utah, to a multisource energy park in Rifle, governments, utilities, entrepreneurs and some individuals are testing new methods of heating and lighting buildings and tapping into the electrical grid to sell, not use, electricity.
Grand Junction, according to Tourism-Review.com, is the seventh-sunniest city in the United States, and Mesa State College says it will rely heavily on the city’s 300 sunny days a year to generate solar power.
The college has two solar-panel arrays, one on the new science building and one on the new North Avenue residence hall. A third array is to be constructed as part of the expansion of Saunders Fieldhouse. In all, those panels are to generate 130 kilowatts of electricity, and the college’s two-year plan includes generating an additional 1.2 megawatts of solar power.
Solar power is at the heart of a test at the Cameo Station in De Beque Canyon. The coal-fired power plant is to be closed, but before that happens, Xcel Energy will test a 1-megawatt, partially solar power plant at the location.
The idea is to use the power of the sun to heat water, so less coal is needed to turn it to steam and spin the turbines that produce electricity.
The test will extend the life of the Cameo Station by a year, but the entire facility will shut down when the test is complete.
Ute Water in Grand Junction and Delta-Montrose Electric Association each are looking to generate electricity from falls within water-delivery systems.
Ute filed a draft application in October with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking to install a 610-kilowatt generator on its raw water line leading into its treatment plant near Palisade.
The generator would produce enough electricity to operate the water-treatment plant, and any excess electricity would be sold to Xcel Energy, Joe Burtard of Ute Water said.
If the federal agency approves the application, Ute will order the turbine generator and begin construction with an eye toward putting the generator online in late 2011 or early 2012.
Delta-Montrose Electric Association, meanwhile, is applying to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to generate electricity as water diverted from the Gunnison River leaves the Gunnison Tunnel and falls to the South Canal.
The $30 million project would supply 6 megawatts of power on a seasonal basis. The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users don’t divert in the winter.
Still, it could generate up to 5 percent of the association’s current annual needs and be particularly helpful in meeting peak summertime needs, according Jim Heneghan, renewable-energy engineer for the association.
The idea has been around for years, Heneghan said, but it wasn’t until recently that it made economic sense.
“Now feasibility reports show it can produce power at or less than the cost to pay for itself,” Heneghan said. “In that respect, we couldn’t pass it up.”
At the far east end of the Grand Valley, meanwhile, a tower nearly 150 feet high is gathering information that could eventually attract a company to build a wind farm above Palisade that would catch the breeze from De Beque Canyon.
Wazee Energy of Denver will decide next year whether to install three other test towers, which it would monitor for three years before deciding whether to build a wind farm on the site.
The Bureau of Land Management then would conduct an environmental review, which would include an opportunity for public comment.
The entire process could take three or four years, BLM spokeswoman Erin Curtis said.
By GARY HARMON/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The sunny skies of western Colorado and eastern Utah along Energy Alley are a powerful source of energy awaiting capture.
Heat trapped underground, likewise, is waiting to be turned to use on the surface.
Renewable-energy advocates also are looking anew at the energy generated when water runs downhill and when the wind blows.
From a proposed solar generation site in Green River, Utah, to a multisource energy park in Rifle, governments, utilities, entrepreneurs and some individuals are testing new methods of heating and lighting buildings and tapping into the electrical grid to sell, not use, electricity.
Grand Junction, according to Tourism-Review.com, is the seventh-sunniest city in the United States, and Mesa State College says it will rely heavily on the city’s 300 sunny days a year to generate solar power.
The college has two solar-panel arrays, one on the new science building and one on the new North Avenue residence hall. A third array is to be constructed as part of the expansion of Saunders Fieldhouse. In all, those panels are to generate 130 kilowatts of electricity, and the college’s two-year plan includes generating an additional 1.2 megawatts of solar power.
Solar power is at the heart of a test at the Cameo Station in De Beque Canyon. The coal-fired power plant is to be closed, but before that happens, Xcel Energy will test a 1-megawatt, partially solar power plant at the location.
The idea is to use the power of the sun to heat water, so less coal is needed to turn it to steam and spin the turbines that produce electricity.
The test will extend the life of the Cameo Station by a year, but the entire facility will shut down when the test is complete.
Ute Water in Grand Junction and Delta-Montrose Electric Association each are looking to generate electricity from falls within water-delivery systems.
Ute filed a draft application in October with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking to install a 610-kilowatt generator on its raw water line leading into its treatment plant near Palisade.
The generator would produce enough electricity to operate the water-treatment plant, and any excess electricity would be sold to Xcel Energy, Joe Burtard of Ute Water said.
If the federal agency approves the application, Ute will order the turbine generator and begin construction with an eye toward putting the generator online in late 2011 or early 2012.
Delta-Montrose Electric Association, meanwhile, is applying to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to generate electricity as water diverted from the Gunnison River leaves the Gunnison Tunnel and falls to the South Canal.
The $30 million project would supply 6 megawatts of power on a seasonal basis. The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users don’t divert in the winter.
Still, it could generate up to 5 percent of the association’s current annual needs and be particularly helpful in meeting peak summertime needs, according Jim Heneghan, renewable-energy engineer for the association.
The idea has been around for years, Heneghan said, but it wasn’t until recently that it made economic sense.
“Now feasibility reports show it can produce power at or less than the cost to pay for itself,” Heneghan said. “In that respect, we couldn’t pass it up.”
At the far east end of the Grand Valley, meanwhile, a tower nearly 150 feet high is gathering information that could eventually attract a company to build a wind farm above Palisade that would catch the breeze from De Beque Canyon.
Wazee Energy of Denver will decide next year whether to install three other test towers, which it would monitor for three years before deciding whether to build a wind farm on the site.
The Bureau of Land Management then would conduct an environmental review, which would include an opportunity for public comment.
The entire process could take three or four years, BLM spokeswoman Erin Curtis said.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
At Last...Solar For Everyone
Solar Cash rebates for all Colorado residents including Grand Valley Power (GVP) members will be available in early 2010. Thank you, Santa! The state of Colorado has just announced details of the much anticipated program. Business owners are eligible for a $15,000 cash rebate and homeowners are eligible for $4,500 cash. Yes, free money.
The rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and the amount of money is limited. So, if you, like me, are a GVP member and have been waiting for this opportunity to greatly reduce the cost of owning your own clean energy source, be sure to call Atlasta Solar right away to start the rebate application process.
Each rebate recipient is required to complete a brief energy audit for the property. Free energy audits are available from Atlasta Solar. (See coupon below.)
Still don't think you can afford to own your own system, even after tax credits and cash rebates? Call 248-0057 for other financing opportunities coming in 2010.
Happy Holidays from Atlasta Solar!
Adrienne Boggess
ATLASTA SOLAR CENTER
2923 North Ave.
(970) 248-0057
The rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and the amount of money is limited. So, if you, like me, are a GVP member and have been waiting for this opportunity to greatly reduce the cost of owning your own clean energy source, be sure to call Atlasta Solar right away to start the rebate application process.
Each rebate recipient is required to complete a brief energy audit for the property. Free energy audits are available from Atlasta Solar. (See coupon below.)
Still don't think you can afford to own your own system, even after tax credits and cash rebates? Call 248-0057 for other financing opportunities coming in 2010.
Happy Holidays from Atlasta Solar!
Adrienne Boggess
ATLASTA SOLAR CENTER
2923 North Ave.
(970) 248-0057
At Last...Solar For Everyone
Solar Cash rebates for all Colorado residents including Grand Valley Power (GVP) members will be available in early 2010. Thank you, Santa! The state of Colorado has just announced details of the much anticipated program. Business owners are eligible for a $15,000 cash rebate and homeowners are eligible for $4,500 cash. Yes, free money.
The rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and the amount of money is limited. So, if you, like me, are a GVP member and have been waiting for this opportunity to greatly reduce the cost of owning your own clean energy source, be sure to call Atlasta Solar right away to start the rebate application process.
Each rebate recipient is required to complete a brief energy audit for the property. Free energy audits are available from Atlasta Solar. (See coupon below.)
Still don't think you can afford to own your own system, even after tax credits and cash rebates? Call 248-0057 for other financing opportunities coming in 2010.
Happy Holidays from Atlasta Solar!
Adrienne Boggess
ATLASTA SOLAR CENTER
2923 North Ave.
(970) 248-0057
The rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and the amount of money is limited. So, if you, like me, are a GVP member and have been waiting for this opportunity to greatly reduce the cost of owning your own clean energy source, be sure to call Atlasta Solar right away to start the rebate application process.
Each rebate recipient is required to complete a brief energy audit for the property. Free energy audits are available from Atlasta Solar. (See coupon below.)
Still don't think you can afford to own your own system, even after tax credits and cash rebates? Call 248-0057 for other financing opportunities coming in 2010.
Happy Holidays from Atlasta Solar!
Adrienne Boggess
ATLASTA SOLAR CENTER
2923 North Ave.
(970) 248-0057
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Pitkin County debates solar-power proposal
Pitkin County debates solar-power proposal
ASPEN, Colo. — Pitkin County, known for its environmental friendliness, is debating how high freestanding solar panels should be built.
A staff recommendation to change the height limit to 16 feet from 10 feet off the ground died on a 2-2 vote Wednesday when the push for renewable energy collided with preserving the mountain community's rural character.
The staff is expected to make another proposal.
Commissioner George Newman says expanding renewable energy is commendable, but the county should address the impacts of facilities on neighborhoods. He says some homeowners are bothered by glare from neighboring solar panels.
But Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper says defeating the proposal sends the wrong message after county voters approved a district allowing people to take out low-interest loans to install renewable energy systems.
___
Information from: The Aspen Times, http://www.aspentimes.com/
___
December 3, 2009 - 3:36 p.m. Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
ASPEN, Colo. — Pitkin County, known for its environmental friendliness, is debating how high freestanding solar panels should be built.
A staff recommendation to change the height limit to 16 feet from 10 feet off the ground died on a 2-2 vote Wednesday when the push for renewable energy collided with preserving the mountain community's rural character.
The staff is expected to make another proposal.
Commissioner George Newman says expanding renewable energy is commendable, but the county should address the impacts of facilities on neighborhoods. He says some homeowners are bothered by glare from neighboring solar panels.
But Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper says defeating the proposal sends the wrong message after county voters approved a district allowing people to take out low-interest loans to install renewable energy systems.
___
Information from: The Aspen Times, http://www.aspentimes.com/
___
December 3, 2009 - 3:36 p.m. Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Monday, November 23, 2009
'Going Green' as an investment
I asked my wife to read the last article I wrote in the Go Green section of the Free Press and asked for feedback. She said: “It's great, dear, but I still don't know how much solar costs.”
Using much of the solar jargon I've acquired throughout my career, I tried to explain that every situation is different and there is no one price; it depends on roof orientation, mounting angle, panel size and type, historic household energy consumption, and so on. All she heard was “blah, blah, blah,” and restated “all I want to know is how much it is going to cost me — $50 or $50,000.”
Therefore, I was inspired to give the rough answer for those of you that may be interested in what the investment is to go solar. The “average” homeowner paying $100 per month in electric bills consumes about 11,500 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year based on the current electric rate of 10.5 cents per kwh.
A solar system comprised of 35-40 panels and utilizing 500-700 square feet of roof space should create enough electricity to offset this usage over the course of a typical year. The price of a solar system can vary widely and is dependent upon panel quality, installer expertise, mounting equipment, installation method, and existing electrical arrangement. That being said, the value of a solar system, again using solar industry language, is between $6-$8 per watt installed or in this case right around $53,000; but because of the available renewable energy incentives, this is not the price you will pay.
The current Solar*Rewards rebate from Xcel Energy is designed to pay for nearly half of the system cost BUT THIS REBATE IS A MOVING TARGET and is designed to diminish over time. Because most installers will “float” this rebate, we can subtract it right off the top leaving $30,200, of which 30% or $9,060 will be paid back through a federal tax credit; which means you will invest $21,140 in a solar system worth over $50,000 that will offset $1,200 worth of utility payments the first year.
If a mortgage-type loan is used to finance the investment, monthly loan payments will be about the same as current utility payments but instead of increasing over time they will be FIXED for the loan period and the interest portion could be tax deductible as well. When we account for inflation using historic inflation rates of 7-8, that same solar system will offset around $1,600 worth of expenses in year 5 and $2,300 worth of electricity in year 10.
In other words, the return on investment gains value each year and now as electric rates go up (incidentally according to the current proposed rate case by Xcel Energy, costs are scheduled to go up as much as 13.59% next year for residential customers), you cheer instead of complain as your solar system becomes more valuable.
Additionally, the National Appraisal Institute in joint effort with Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency coordinated a study and found that for every dollar offset by renewable energy or energy efficient measures, home value could be raised by 20.
In the case of our “average” home, the asking price could increase by as much as $24,000 in the first year. So what does it cost to “go green?” Nothing — in fact you can end up making money. It is better to think of renewable energy as an investment in your future rather than an expenditure. What is the return on investment from your current utility payments?
from "Going Green" in GJ Free Press 23 Nov 2009
Scott Wegs
Solar consultant
HIGH NOON SOLAR
569 S. Westgate #4
Grand Junction, CO 81505
highnoonsolar_scott@yahoo.com
970-234-1498
Using much of the solar jargon I've acquired throughout my career, I tried to explain that every situation is different and there is no one price; it depends on roof orientation, mounting angle, panel size and type, historic household energy consumption, and so on. All she heard was “blah, blah, blah,” and restated “all I want to know is how much it is going to cost me — $50 or $50,000.”
Therefore, I was inspired to give the rough answer for those of you that may be interested in what the investment is to go solar. The “average” homeowner paying $100 per month in electric bills consumes about 11,500 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year based on the current electric rate of 10.5 cents per kwh.
A solar system comprised of 35-40 panels and utilizing 500-700 square feet of roof space should create enough electricity to offset this usage over the course of a typical year. The price of a solar system can vary widely and is dependent upon panel quality, installer expertise, mounting equipment, installation method, and existing electrical arrangement. That being said, the value of a solar system, again using solar industry language, is between $6-$8 per watt installed or in this case right around $53,000; but because of the available renewable energy incentives, this is not the price you will pay.
The current Solar*Rewards rebate from Xcel Energy is designed to pay for nearly half of the system cost BUT THIS REBATE IS A MOVING TARGET and is designed to diminish over time. Because most installers will “float” this rebate, we can subtract it right off the top leaving $30,200, of which 30% or $9,060 will be paid back through a federal tax credit; which means you will invest $21,140 in a solar system worth over $50,000 that will offset $1,200 worth of utility payments the first year.
If a mortgage-type loan is used to finance the investment, monthly loan payments will be about the same as current utility payments but instead of increasing over time they will be FIXED for the loan period and the interest portion could be tax deductible as well. When we account for inflation using historic inflation rates of 7-8, that same solar system will offset around $1,600 worth of expenses in year 5 and $2,300 worth of electricity in year 10.
In other words, the return on investment gains value each year and now as electric rates go up (incidentally according to the current proposed rate case by Xcel Energy, costs are scheduled to go up as much as 13.59% next year for residential customers), you cheer instead of complain as your solar system becomes more valuable.
Additionally, the National Appraisal Institute in joint effort with Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency coordinated a study and found that for every dollar offset by renewable energy or energy efficient measures, home value could be raised by 20.
In the case of our “average” home, the asking price could increase by as much as $24,000 in the first year. So what does it cost to “go green?” Nothing — in fact you can end up making money. It is better to think of renewable energy as an investment in your future rather than an expenditure. What is the return on investment from your current utility payments?
from "Going Green" in GJ Free Press 23 Nov 2009
Scott Wegs
Solar consultant
HIGH NOON SOLAR
569 S. Westgate #4
Grand Junction, CO 81505
highnoonsolar_scott@yahoo.com
970-234-1498
Monday, November 16, 2009
Energy Star Conference Friday, November 20
Designing, Building & Selling Structures that are:“Safe, Healthy, Durable, Comfortable & Energy Efficient”
Friday, November 20
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Clarion (formerly Holiday) Inn Hotel
755 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado
$85.00 Registration
(Lunch is included)
Call 970-275-2717
Seating is limited
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Builders / Contractors
Real Estate Agents (CEUs may be available)
Appraisers / Mortgage Lenders
HVAC / Plumbers
Building / Planning Representatives
Building material providers
Trade Contractors
Elected Officials
Engineers
Architects
Friday, November 20
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Clarion (formerly Holiday) Inn Hotel
755 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado
$85.00 Registration
(Lunch is included)
Call 970-275-2717
Seating is limited
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Builders / Contractors
Real Estate Agents (CEUs may be available)
Appraisers / Mortgage Lenders
HVAC / Plumbers
Building / Planning Representatives
Building material providers
Trade Contractors
Elected Officials
Engineers
Architects
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
XCEL ENERGY TO REDUCE SOLAR PAYMENTS BEFORE 2010!
“GO GREEN” Page Article from Grand Junction Free Press for Monday 2 November 2009
XCEL ENERGY SET TO REDUCE SOLAR PAYMENTS BEFORE 2010!
GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS ACT NOW!
On 28 October 2009 Xcel Energy submitted its 2010 “Renewable Energy Standard Compliance Plan” to the Colorado Public Utility Commission. As part of this plan, Xcel Energy will reduce its payment to Xcel Solar Rewards customers from $3.50/watt to $3.00/watt. What this means for an average Grand Junction Homeowner who purchases a 5 kilowatt solar system is a loss of $2500.00 towards the purchase of the solar system, or a loss of $5000.00 to the average business owner who purchases a solar system. It is crucial that homeowners and businesses “lock-in” the larger rebate now, and then have 9 months to install the solar system. In addition to the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards rebate, there are federal tax credits, grants, and accelerated depreciation that further reduce out of pocket costs of solar for businesses. If you are not an Xcel Energy customer, the federal incentives still apply, and there will be rebates available from the state of Colorado in 2010. Since 2007, hundreds of Grand Junction homeowners and businesses have purchased solar systems that save them money by producing on-site, clean and independent power. How does it work?
For Businesses, the Xcel Energy Rebate will pay 40-60% of the cost of the solar system. The Federal Tax Credit or US Treasury Grant (Grant only available 2009-2010) will pay another 30% of the cost of the solar system. For businesses, there is accelerated cost recovery for the capital investment in the solar (bonus depreciation is only available for 2009-2010), which returns another 25-30% of the cost of the solar system to the business owner within a 5-6 year period. Yes, in other words, more than 100% of the cost of the solar system can be returned to the business owner within a 5-6 year period. And that does not even include the savings on the utility bill! Homeowners receive the Xcel Rebate and the 30% Federal Tax Credit, which combined can pay for 75% of the cost of the solar system before savings on the utility bills.
Atlasta Solar Center is the leading solar energy installation and distribution company on the Western Slope, and Atlasta Solar is one of the longest operating solar companies in Colorado. Since 1979, Atlasta Solar Center has installed over 1500 solar systems for businesses and homeowners. Atlasta Solar is proud to celebrate its 30 year anniversary in Grand Junction by offering special solar sale prices for 2009. Call now to get your rebate!
XCEL ENERGY SET TO REDUCE SOLAR PAYMENTS BEFORE 2010!
GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS ACT NOW!
On 28 October 2009 Xcel Energy submitted its 2010 “Renewable Energy Standard Compliance Plan” to the Colorado Public Utility Commission. As part of this plan, Xcel Energy will reduce its payment to Xcel Solar Rewards customers from $3.50/watt to $3.00/watt. What this means for an average Grand Junction Homeowner who purchases a 5 kilowatt solar system is a loss of $2500.00 towards the purchase of the solar system, or a loss of $5000.00 to the average business owner who purchases a solar system. It is crucial that homeowners and businesses “lock-in” the larger rebate now, and then have 9 months to install the solar system. In addition to the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards rebate, there are federal tax credits, grants, and accelerated depreciation that further reduce out of pocket costs of solar for businesses. If you are not an Xcel Energy customer, the federal incentives still apply, and there will be rebates available from the state of Colorado in 2010. Since 2007, hundreds of Grand Junction homeowners and businesses have purchased solar systems that save them money by producing on-site, clean and independent power. How does it work?
For Businesses, the Xcel Energy Rebate will pay 40-60% of the cost of the solar system. The Federal Tax Credit or US Treasury Grant (Grant only available 2009-2010) will pay another 30% of the cost of the solar system. For businesses, there is accelerated cost recovery for the capital investment in the solar (bonus depreciation is only available for 2009-2010), which returns another 25-30% of the cost of the solar system to the business owner within a 5-6 year period. Yes, in other words, more than 100% of the cost of the solar system can be returned to the business owner within a 5-6 year period. And that does not even include the savings on the utility bill! Homeowners receive the Xcel Rebate and the 30% Federal Tax Credit, which combined can pay for 75% of the cost of the solar system before savings on the utility bills.
Atlasta Solar Center is the leading solar energy installation and distribution company on the Western Slope, and Atlasta Solar is one of the longest operating solar companies in Colorado. Since 1979, Atlasta Solar Center has installed over 1500 solar systems for businesses and homeowners. Atlasta Solar is proud to celebrate its 30 year anniversary in Grand Junction by offering special solar sale prices for 2009. Call now to get your rebate!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Solar savings shine on businesses
Solar savings shine on businesses
By EMILY ANDERSON/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Going solar doesn’t have to mean going broke, according to energy blogger Craig Severance.
Severance, who edits the blog Energy Economy Online and also serves as a CPA, paid for a Toyota Prius hybrid car with savings from installing solar panels on his business. He wrote off the panels as business equipment on his tax forms and received a $26,000 tax credit the first year he used the solar system.
“I didn’t owe any federal income tax dollars for four to five years,” he said Tuesday during a seminar on energy-efficiency tax credits for businesses at Two Rivers Convention Center.
A combination of tax credits, grants and rebates can help businesses pay just 20 percent or less of the cost of installing an energy-efficient power system, said Lou Villaire of Grand Valley Solar Center. Stimulus funds helped extend the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 into this year. The tax credit, which is received now as a grant from the U.S. Treasury Department, has $3 billion reserved to help pay for 30 percent of 5,000 alternative power systems across the United States. A rebate from the state for businesses that operate in a rural energy co-op area or from a utility provider can get a company 20 percent to 50 percent of the installation cost back. Plus, energy savings from the system can return 5 percent to 10 percent of the installation cost and keep energy prices from inflating for a solar user that would otherwise have to deal with rising energy prices.
While some want to save the environment, cost savings are what will really drive a business owner to make the switch, Villaire said.
Xcel Energy announced a plan Tuesday for meeting Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 20 percent of energy produced in the state to come from renewable resources by 2020. The plan is to add 257 megawatts of new on-site solar power to the state’s energy grid, plus 700 megawatts of wind power and 350 megawatts of utility-scale solar power. In order to accomplish the goal, Xcel plans to drop payments it asks from solar customers from $1.50 per watt to $1 per watt.
By EMILY ANDERSON/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Going solar doesn’t have to mean going broke, according to energy blogger Craig Severance.
Severance, who edits the blog Energy Economy Online and also serves as a CPA, paid for a Toyota Prius hybrid car with savings from installing solar panels on his business. He wrote off the panels as business equipment on his tax forms and received a $26,000 tax credit the first year he used the solar system.
“I didn’t owe any federal income tax dollars for four to five years,” he said Tuesday during a seminar on energy-efficiency tax credits for businesses at Two Rivers Convention Center.
A combination of tax credits, grants and rebates can help businesses pay just 20 percent or less of the cost of installing an energy-efficient power system, said Lou Villaire of Grand Valley Solar Center. Stimulus funds helped extend the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 into this year. The tax credit, which is received now as a grant from the U.S. Treasury Department, has $3 billion reserved to help pay for 30 percent of 5,000 alternative power systems across the United States. A rebate from the state for businesses that operate in a rural energy co-op area or from a utility provider can get a company 20 percent to 50 percent of the installation cost back. Plus, energy savings from the system can return 5 percent to 10 percent of the installation cost and keep energy prices from inflating for a solar user that would otherwise have to deal with rising energy prices.
While some want to save the environment, cost savings are what will really drive a business owner to make the switch, Villaire said.
Xcel Energy announced a plan Tuesday for meeting Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 20 percent of energy produced in the state to come from renewable resources by 2020. The plan is to add 257 megawatts of new on-site solar power to the state’s energy grid, plus 700 megawatts of wind power and 350 megawatts of utility-scale solar power. In order to accomplish the goal, Xcel plans to drop payments it asks from solar customers from $1.50 per watt to $1 per watt.
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