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July 2010 - Holy Cross Energy (Colorado) broke ground on an 80 kW solar array in El Jebel, Colorado. Holy Cross's residential and commercial customers can purchase shares (watts) of the solar array upfront at a cost of $3.15 per watt ($3,150 per kilowatt). Community owners will then receive a credit on their bill each month at a rate of $0.11 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The kWh production owners are credited with is based on the actual production by the number of how many watts each member owns. Because operation and maintenance costs are included in the upfront cost, owners will receive the monthly benefits for a term of 50 years. The Carbondale, Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective originated, developed and is managing the program with Sunsense Solar Electric managing the construction of the array.
A number of community solar programs have been developed recently, particularly in the Northwest. Community solar programs allow customers to purchase a share of a solar system, and receive the benefits of the energy that is produced by their share. Ashland, Oregon, Ellensburg, Washington, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), California, St. George, Utah, and Bainbridge Island, Washington all have community solar programs ranging in total size from 5 kW (Bainbridge Island) to 1 MW (SMUD). Florida Keys Electric Coop also offers a Simple Solar Program.
Additional information - Community-Owned Solar Garden Launches in Roaring Fork Valley
Additional information - The Northwest Community Solar Guide (PDF 4.8 MB) Download Adobe Reader
May 2005 - The City of St. George Energy Services Department, which serves about 24,000 meters in southwestern Utah, now offers a green power option to its residential and business customers. Under its Clean Green Power Program, users of city power can purchase renewable energy in 100-kWh monthly increments for $2.95 each, or a rate premium of 2.95¢/kWh. The power is supplied from the 144-MW Pleasant Valley Wind Project in Wyoming and the city-owned Pine Valley hydro project. Program revenues will be invested in additional green power sources.
News Article - City encourages saving energy: Green power shares available to residents
St. George Contact: Renè Fleming (435) 986-4432
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