Adobe Solar Blog

Adobe Solar Blog

Adobe Solar and advocates of solar electric solutions were thrilled to learn that Xcel has cancelled its’ plan to charge homes with solar power an additional fee.

The defeated plan would have effectively charged people with solar electric systems a fee for the “luxury” of having a grid-tied system.  Aside from the substantial environmental benefits, solar energy is an amazing financial tool that provides tens of thousands of dollars in free electricity.  The proposed fee would have diluted the savings and dealt a major blow to a burgeoning industry.

We are proud to be a part of a community that stands behind renewable sources of energy.  Without the efforts of Colorado citizens, Bill Ritter, Andrew Kerr, the Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association, and many others, this plan may have passed.

There are some lessons to be learned from this potential set back.

First, we all need to recognize that we have to stay focused and keep the pressure on the powers that be when it comes to the future of solar energy. Without our voices, this amazing solution could lose momentum and be slowly eliminated.  We have come to far to allow that to happen.  Stay involved and let your representatives know how you feel.  

Second, we all need to remember how lucky we are in the State of Colorado to have such an amazing rebate structure.  However,  we must also remember that all financial incentives are finite.  We need to take advantage of them while we can because they might not be here tomorrow.

Thanks again to all of you that got involved and helped to defeat this plan.

see the Denver Post article: http://www.denverpost.com/greenbusiness/ci_12990171

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Xcel Energy is proposing another rate increase in residential rates this year, and on top of that targeting residential solar customers in particular.

Under Xcel Energy’s proposal:

• Every residence with a solar system will be charged a ratcheted MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE-regardless of how much electricity is generated by the solar system in that month. If a solar household purchases electricity from Xcel Energy in ANY twelve-month period, Xcel will charge the customer for that same amount of electricity as A MINIMUM CHARGE EVERY SINGLE MONTH FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS-even in months when you are producing all of your own electricity!
•  If you purchase electricity from Xcel Energy in more than one month, the new minimum monthly charge will be pegged to the month in which you purchase the GREATEST number of kilowatt hours!
•  These charges are IN ADDITION to the current monthly minimum of $7.50 already paid by solar customers!

THIS PROPOSAL WILL PENALIZE COLORADO RESIDENTS FOR INSTALLING SOLAR SYSTEMS AND REDUCE SOLAR SYSTEM “PAYBACK” DRAMATICALLY. IT IS A NEGATIVE NATIONAL PRECEDENT THAT REJECTS THE SPIRIT OF AMENDMENT 37 AND STALLS THE CREATION OF THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY!

PUC’s public comment hearing:

 Wednesday, August 5th

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1550

Denver, CO 80202

WRITE THE PUC!

While it is best to show up in person, you can register your comments and concerns or email the PUC. Be sure to reference Docket #09AL-299E

Adobe Solar encourages anyone who supports clean renewable energy in Colorado to attend the PUC meeting this Wednesday and let your support me shown.  For more information contact CoSEIA.

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