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October 2009

 

San Miguel Power Helps Fund Clean Energy - On June 12, 2009, the 45 solar panels spanning the roof of Wilkinson Library in Telluride, CO began producing electricity and they’ve been generating ever since. San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) was instrumental in getting it to that point.

In 2008 and 2009 SMPA joined cooperatives from across the state to participate in the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) renewable energy rebate program. The program was launched in June of 2008, and in the course of a year, SMPA helped finance 27 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems within their service territory. It is estimated that these systems will produce 119,064 kWh in a year’s time.

In total, the co-op helped members secure over $170,000 in funding for the installation of solar PV panels in their service territory. SMPA’s financial contribution came in at $87,085, with GEO providing matching funds. The largest solar installation is situated on top of Wilkinson Library. They received a total rebate of $15,000, of which, SMPA provided $7,500.

“We’re committed to helping make it affordable and uncomplicated for our members to take advantage of renewable energy,” explains SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter. “The GEO’s solar PV rebate program provided an opportunity and an incentive for our members to invest in their own renewable energy system.”

Through the rebate program members who purchased and installed a solar PV system on their home received a rebate of $3/watt with a maximum of $9,000. Commercial members received a rebate of $3/watt with a maximum of $15,000.

Wilkinson Library installed a 9.7kW system. On average it offsets approximately 5% of their daily usage. Members can access real-time data of the library’s solar array at www.http://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/SX5s846. To date, the solar installation has produced 5,107 kWh – enough energy to power 145 EnergyStar refrigerators for one month.

The Wilkinson Library installation, along with the 26 other rebated systems, are classified as net meter accounts. Net metering allows members who own a renewable energy system to receive a credit on their monthly SMPA bill for the amount of electricity they produce. Most, if not all, of the PV installations only generate enough power to offset a portion of the member’s electricity usage. Therefore, net metered accounts use electricity produced by their own systems and receive power from SMPA.