SMPA“True-up” Process for Net Meter Accounts

At the June SMPA board meeting that was held on Monday the 20^th, a group of SMPA net-meter customers were present to offer support and rational for improving the annual “true-up” process for net meter accounts. Before this meeting, SMPA’s policy for dealing with the Colorado net-metering law’s requirement of the annual “true-up” was to take any kwh credits on the account and settle up at the “avoidance cost” rate of 2.5 cents per kwh on June 30^th. This meant that credits produced during the high production months of April, May and June would be forfeited (at the avoidance rate) and not be carried forward to help with winter month kwh offsets. The SMPA board considered adopting a true-up policy that would carry excess generation credits indefinably into the future, but later settled on simply shifting the June 30^th true-up date to March 1^st. This decision is retroactive to this March, 2011. The graphs below show typical household solar generation and kwh consumption and the impact of the new true-up date. Each net-meter account will vary from the lines plotted out here, but, in general, this policy shift by SMPA is very favorable to solar net-meter customers.  

  Thanks to all SMPA members and APE customers who helped support this decision.          

Updated Renewable energy rebate status

*

• Renewable Energy Rebates Status: ALL RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY REBATE PROGRAMS WAITLIST STATEWIDE. PARTNER FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE.

  Here are the details for each category of renewable energy rebates:   Residential PV Funds Remaining Delta Montrose Electric Association: $49,100  

It’s official, Governor Hickenlooper just signed the ‘Fair Permit Act’ HB-1199 into law!

The Fair Permit Act helps lower local and state permit fees for solar PV and thermal installations across Colorado.   Thanks to your support, this groundbreaking legislation has become a reality.   Not only does this legislation extend existing caps on solar permit fees through 2018 – which is important since these caps were set to expire at the end of this month – but it also closes loopholes to further reduce costs.   This is significant because the solar permit process adds about $2,516 per U.S. residential installation on average, according to a recent national study by SunRun, and can exceed tens of thousands of dollars for large-scale installations.   In Colorado, state permit fees more than doubled last year and local fees and processes vary widely by region. In some communities, government permit costs can exceed the labor costs to install a solar system.   The Fair Permit Act helps rein in excessive government fees – and it doesn’t just apply to permit fees, it also applies to plan review fees and other fees to install a solar electric or solar thermal system.   These fees in aggregate are now limited to a local government’s actual costs in issuing the permit, not to exceed $500 for a residential installation or $1,000 for a commercial system up to 2 MW.   Systems 2 MW and above are limited to the government’s actual costs in issuing the permit.   These rules will also apply to state permit fees (where we’ve seen particularly big increases in fees), except that the state cap on nonresidential systems is $2,000.   This legislation doesn’t affect a local government’s right to charge sales and use taxes due to Home Rule laws, but it does improve transparency by requiring government agencies to ‘clearly and individually identify all fees and taxes assessed’.   This will help prevent the bundling of fees that some governmental agencies did that made invoices so difficult to decipher. People have a right to know what they’re paying for.   You can read the full text of the Fair Permit Act here >   We look forward to collaborating with COSEIA members and local permitting officials to review national best practices for issuing solar permits. There is plenty of opportunity to streamline permit processes and to lower costs without compromising safety.   This legislation takes effect right away.

Solar permit costs are coming down in Colorado!

The ‘Fair Permit Act’ HB-1199 just passed the Senate by a 33-2 vote. It already passed the House 64-1 and now heads to Governor Hickenlooper’s desk to be signed into law. This is great news for the solar industry and this victory belongs to you. Last year many of you raised concerns about rising governmental fees related to solar permits and installations. We listened and together we did something about it. COSEIA worked with Representative Bob Gardner, Senator Bob Bacon, and Senator Shawn Mitchell to draft legislation to drive down unnecessary costs and to build bipartisan support to get it passed. The Fair Permit Act prevents state and local government agencies from charging excessive permit fees and plan review fees to customers installing solar electric or solar thermal systems. Not only does this legislation extend existing caps on solar permit fees through 2018 – which is important since these caps were set to expire next month – but it also closes loopholes to further reduce costs. This is significant because the solar permit process adds about $2,516 per U.S. residential installation on average, according to a recent national study by SunRun, and can exceed tens of thousands of dollars for large-scale installations. In Colorado, state permit fees more than doubled last year and local fees and processes vary widely by region. In some communities, government permit costs can exceed the labor costs to install a solar system. The Fair Permit Act helps rein in excessive government fees – and it doesn’t just apply to permit fees, it also applies to plan review fees and other fees to install a solar electric or solar thermal system. These fees in aggregate are now limited to a local government’s actual costs in issuing the permit, not to exceed $500 for a residential installation or $1,000 for a commercial system up to 2 MW. Systems 2 MW and above are limited to the government’s actual costs in issuing the permit. These rules will also apply to state permit fees (where we’ve seen particularly big increases in fees), except that the cap on nonresidential systems is $2,000. This legislation doesn’t affect a local government’s right to charge sales and use taxes due to Home Rule laws, but it does improve transparency by requiring government agencies to ‘clearly and individually identify all fees and taxes assessed’. This will help prevent the bundling of fees that some governmental agencies did that made invoices so difficult to decipher. People have a right to know what they’re paying for.

GEO Updates on Renewable Energy REBATES!

THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A SYSTEM FOR YOUR PROPERTY! FUNDS ARE GETTING LOW AND YOU SHOULD ACT NOW TO RESERVE A REBATE. CONTACT US AND WE CAN GET YOU STARTED BY SENDING IN A RESERVATION REQUEST. Rebate Availability * Renewable Energy Rebates Status: o COMMERCIAL PV AT WAITLIST STATEWIDE o RESIDENTIAL PV AT WAITLIST IN SOME AREAS o RESIDENTIAL WIND AT WAITLIST IN SOME AREAS o ALL OTHER PROGRAMS OPEN STATEWIDE Here are the details for each category of renewable energy rebates: Residential PV Funds Remaining Delta Montrose Electric Association: $71,600 Highline Electric: $45,000 Mountain View Electric Association: $5,000 San Miguel Power Association: $28,313 Residential Solar Thermal Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $265,922 Commercial Solar Thermal Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $154,643 Commercial Wind Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $144,902 Residential Wind These rebates are at waitlist status in some areas. A total of $78,200 is available to residents of the following counties: Alamosa, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle , Elbert, Fremont, Gilpin , Grand , Gunnison, Hinsdale , Huerfano, Jackson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lake, La Plata, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo (with the exception of the City of Pueblo), Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Sedgwick, Summit, Teller, Washington, Yuma In addition, there are $107,280 in funds for customers of Colorado Springs Utility, and $10,000 in funds for customers of San Miguel Power Association. Upcoming Program Changes, Closures & Openings The Recharge Colorado Rebate Program constantly monitors market activity and opportunities in order to provide the best program possible for consumers, contractors and partners, which sometimes results in updates and adjustments to the program. This section of the newsletter outlines what changes are on the horizon. Also included is information about when a program is scheduled to close, as best possible, due to funding exhaustion, or when a program is slated to open. Changes to Renewable Energy Rebates: Program Ramping Down Effective June 1st, 2011 In an effort to manage the high demand for the renewable energy rebates, keep all renewable energy categories open for as long as possible and meet program funding timeline requirements, the GEO will make the following changes to all renewable energy rebates in residential and small commercial sectors, including solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind. These changes will be effective June 1, 2011. · Renewable energy rebate reservations will be valid for three months. Systems must be complete and “part two” paperwork must be received within three months from the reservation date. · All renewable energy systems must be complete and “part two” paperwork submitted by December 1, 2011. · The GEO will stop accepting applications for all renewable energy rebates on September 1, 2011. The funding structure for renewable energy rebates will change: · Effective June 1st, all* unreserved renewable energy rebate funds will move into two funding pools – one residential and one commercial- and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of project type. o Rebates for solar PV, solar thermal and wind will be paid from the applicable reservation pool based on market demand. Funds will no longer be designated to a particular technology. o This approach will allow the program to stay open for all application types as long as funding remains. When the program moves to wait-list, applications for solar PV, solar thermal and wind will be wait-listed at the same time. o The wait-lists will be paid out first-come, first-served as funding permits. This funding approach is based on the success of the Recharge Colorado Rebate Appliance Program and is an effort to sustain the program and ensure funds are spent on rebates as the program winds down. *With the exception of partner funds, which will remain allocated based on partner agreements. Key Dates to Remember: · June 1, 2011: o Reservation time will change to three months o Funding structure will change · September 1, 2011: o Stop accepting RE applications · December 1, 2011: o All RE systems must be complete and “part two” paperwork must be submitted Definition of Terms: 1. Statewide Funds – These funds are available to any applicant statewide (except PV rebates for Xcel and Black Hills residential customers). 2. Partner Funds – Funding available through GEO partnerships with local utilities and/or governments. One application is processed through the GEO and customers will receive one check with two logos for this rebate. a. The partners listed below are the only partners in the program. City of Arvada, City of Boulder, Colorado Springs Utilities, Delta Montrose Electric Association, City of Fort Collins,Glenwood Springs Electric, Grand Valley Power, Highline Electric Association, Jefferson County, City of Lakewood,City of Littleton, Mountain View Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, Town of Vail, City of Westminster, Boulder County b. If you are interested in a different utility rebate program, please contact them directly regarding the status of funds. Application for non-partner funding are not processed by the GEO. c. If the partner contribution is exhausted or currently reserved, your customer will receive funds at the standard GEO offer, provided that the funds are available. 3. Waitlist – Funds for the rebate program have been reserved entirely for your community. You still have the option of submitting a reservation, completing the work on your home, and submitting the rebate paperwork. If funds become available due to expired reservations, and your paperwork has been received and approved, you may receive a check from the GEO. This is not guaranteed, but it does happen. To date, the Recharge Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program has had a significant impact on the state: · 345 renewable energy contractors are currently participating in the program · So far, the Rebate Program has issued checks for 749 qualifying renewable energy systems · Over $3.9 million dollars has been used to pay out renewable energy applicants · Coloradans have invested over $19.2 million dollars in renewable energy projects since the onset of the Recharge Colorado Rebate Program The contractor and partner support for the Recharge Colorado Renewable Energy Rebate Program makes this success possible. Thank you for your continued support!

Importance of System Service

How do you know that your Photovoltaic or solar thermal system is operating properly? I just repaired a grid tie photovoltaic system. One of two Fronius invertes was showing lower output that the other. I traced the problem to a blown high voltage DC fuse in one of the three strings feeding the inverter. Luckily the homeowner looks at the inverter displays daily, so she noticed the issue. Many manufacturers offer web/computer based monitoring. All of our systems do need routine and periodic Full Service, just like your car. This assures that you are maximizing your investment. Solar thermal systems need Full Service as well

 

Recharge Colorado Rebate Update newsletter

Greetings!   The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is pleased to present the Recharge Colorado Rebate Update newsletter to help keep you informed of the program’s status, impact and upcoming changes. The GEO will aim to send this update out twice a month, to make sure program stakeholders such as partners, contractors and retailers have up-to-date information about the program. Feel free to pass this along to your contacts, and thanks for helping us push the program!   - The GEO team   In This Issue Rebate Availability Upcoming Program Changes, Closures and Openings Resources and FAQ’s Program Impacts Rebate Availability This section of the newsletter is intended to tell you what rebates are available where. The Recharge Colorado Rebate Program is funded by a variety of funding sources. Because of the programs various funding sources, availability depends on where the applicant lives. Appliance Rebates Status: CLOSED STATEWIDE The Recharge Colorado ENERGY STAR Appliance Program is currently closed and is not accepting any new reservations. This includes refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, gas storage water heaters, and gas boilers. The GEO may begin accepting applications again the week of May 23rd, 2011, in time for Memorial Day. Check for any updates here or contact the Recharge Colorado Call Center for updates at 1-800-462-0184. Energy Efficiency Rebates Status: INSULATION & AIR SEALING AND FURNACES AT WAITLIST IN SOME AREAS ALL OTHER PROGRAMS OPEN STATEWIDE Here are the details for the waitlisted categories: Insulation & Air Sealing and Furnaces Some areas are at waitlist status for these rebates. There are funds available but because of the program’s various funding sources, availability depends on where the applicant lives. There are funds available to residents of the following counties and utility territories for both Insulation & Air Sealing and Furnace rebates: Alamosa, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle , Elbert, Fremont, Gilpin , Grand , Gunnison, Hinsdale , Huerfano, Jackson, Kiowa, Kit Karson, Lake, La Plata, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo (with the exception of the City of Pueblo), Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Sedgwick, Summit, Teller, Washington, Yuma, Colorado Springs Utilities Funding for Furnace rebates is also available to San Miguel Power Association customers. If the applicant does not live in one of the counties or utility territories listed here, their community is at waitlist status. The waitlist means funds are not guaranteed. An applicant can still submit a reservation, complete the work on thier home, and submit the rebate verification paperwork. If funds become available due to expired reservations, and the applicant paperwork has been received and approved, they may receive a check from the GEO. This is not guaranteed. The GEO recommends doing this if the applicant was going to have work done anyway. If the rebate is the only reason the applicant is having the work done, it’s best to hold off as rebates are not guaranteed in waitlist zones. Renewable Energy Rebates Status: COMMERCIAL PV AT WAITLIST STATEWIDE RESIDENTIAL WIND AT WAITLIST IN SOME AREAS ALL OTHER PROGRAMS OPEN STATEWIDE Here are the details for each category of renewable energy rebates: Residential PV Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $30,777.50 Delta Montrose Electric Association: $62,600 Highline Electric: $45,000 Mountain View Electric Association: $5,000 San Miguel Power Association: $20,813.80 Residential Solar Thermal Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $297,107.50 Colorado Springs Utility: $127,975 Fort Collins Utility: $19,950 Commercial Solar Thermal Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $127,633.93 Colorado Springs Utility: $145,000 Fort Collins Utility: $19,950 Commercial Wind Funds Remaining Statewide Funding: $213,480 Colorado Springs Utility: $114,000 Residential Wind Some areas are at waitlist status for these rebates. There are funds available but because of the program’s various funding sources, availability depends on where the applicant lives. There are a total of $78,200 in funds available to residents of the following counties: Alamosa, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle , Elbert, Fremont, Gilpin , Grand , Gunnison, Hinsdale , Huerfano, Jackson, Kiowa, Kit Karson, Lake, La Plata, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo (with the exception of the City of Pueblo), Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Sedgwick, Summit, Teller, Washington, Yuma In addition, there are $107,280 in funds for customers of Colorado Springs Utility, and $10,000 in funds for customers of San Miguel Power Association. Upcoming Program Changes, Closures & Openings The Recharge Colorado Rebate Program constantly monitors market activity and opportunities in order to provide the best program possible for consumers, contractors and partners, which sometimes results in updates and adjustments to the program. This section of the newsletter is intended to tell you what changes are on the horizon. We will also tell you when a program is scheduled to close, as best possible, due to funding exhaustion, or when a program is slated to open. Insulation & Air Sealing and Furnace Rebates to Close in Some Counties Due to overwhelming demand funds for the Insulation & Air Sealing and Furnace programs are nearing exhaustion in some areas of the state and will soon be no longer accepting applications. We will keep you informed via the availability updates in this newsletter. Resources & FAQ’s Local Incentives as of September 30, 2009, a.k.a. “The Supplanting Rule” Just a reminder explanation that per rules established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the rebates offered under the GEO Rebate Program cannot “supplant”, or deliberately replace, existing energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate programs offered by utilities, local governments, or non-profits. In effort to avoid supplanting, the GEO’s rebate levels for areas with existing rebates are based on the rebate amounts that were offered locally as of September 30, 2009 (when the GEO designed the program. Rebate calculations will not be changed in the event that a local incentive is no longer active. All rebate calculations will remain as they were at the onset of the program.   Program Impacts There has been an incredible response to the Recharge Colorado Rebate Program since it launched in April of 2010. The GEO is extremely grateful to it’s partners and to Colorado’s contractor and retailers communities for helping to make this program such a great success! Here are just a few of the impacts of the program: The program has spurred more than $90 million in consumer spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy purchases since launch. More than 40,000 Coloradans have participated in the program. Coloradans have claimed $11.3 million in rebates. 15 local governments and utilities from across the state have partnered with the GEO to finance the program. Over 250 insulation and air sealing contractors have participated in the program. Over 7,000 Coloradans have received a rebate for insulating and air sealing their home. Over 6,400 Coloradans have received a rebate for installing a high efficiency furnace. Over $3.5 million in rebates have been issued to Coloradans for installing renewable energy in their homes and businesses.

Thanks from Frank and Sharon

We just received this letter of thanks from Frank and Sharon. We have been working with them for a while now designing and building a off grid solar system for their new home. Their situation like many was unique and required several modifications. We worked closely with their contractor to make sure their needs were always met. Read for your self.

April 26, 2011 “This letter is to thank Leif from Alternative Power Enterprises for all of his help in designing a solar system for me and my wife. We bought land on the western slope of Colorado at 7,600 foot elevation. The power was close by, but the power company wanted an enormous amount of money to bring power above ground to our property . We talked to Leif, knowing our project was going to be a work in progress. His knowledge and enthusiasm was contagious and refreshing. We built a 64′ x 40′ barn and moved a 38′ trailer on the property and started the solar. It took us a year to design a 3,100 square foot home and a 1,000 square foot garageworkshop. Lindal engineered and supplied the materials for our custom home and Bridger Construction did the construction. It took about a year to build. Over that time our needs for solar kept changing and Leif never lost his enthusiasm and his knowledge was amazing. We now have solar power to our home, barn and well. We are off the grid and are very satisfied. The power company would love to supply us power now, but we have no use for them. It has been 5 years and we constantly surprise people. We entertain a lot and when our guests find out we are off the grid and completely solar they cannot believe it. We have all the conveniences and want for nothing. I would highly recommend Leif and his crew. You will be pleasantly surprised. He never says no and always finds a way to make it happen. It is a pleasure to work with you Leif.” Frank & Sharon Marciante Norwood, CO

DOE and HUD Announce Lenders to Participate in New Pilot Program to Help Homeowners Pay for Energy Improvements to their Homes

Climate Risk: Yet Another Reason to Choose Renewable Energy | Renewable Energy News Article

www.renewableenergyworld.com

Serving Western Colorado Since 1992

Alternative Power Enterprises
PO Box 351
609 W. Clinton St.
Ridgway, CO 81432
Tel: 970-626-9842
Leif Juell NABCEP # 091308-10
Web Design By Rich Durnan Creative