April 14, 2008

Denver, CO, USA: Governor Ritter Announces 22 Residential Solar Program Partners

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that 22 Solar Residential Program partners have been selected to promote the installation of residential solar electric and solar domestic hot water systems statewide. The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) has committed $550,000 of Clean Energy Funds and created a total program budget of $1 million to advance solar investment in the state.

"Prior to GEO's residential solar program, only two rural electric associations, Holy Cross and La Plata, offered solar incentives," Gov. Ritter said. "With nine new rural electrics joining as partners, now half of Colorado's REAs offer solar incentives. Also, the state's two largest municipal power providers, Fort Collins Utilities and Colorado Springs Utilities are participating. "These programs are very clearly are a big part of Colorado's New Energy Economy."

The 22 partners represent 12 utilities, three cities, one county, and five non-profits:

GEO's 11 Solar Electric Partners: Delta-Montrose Electric Association, Fort Collins Utilities, Grand Valley Rural Power Lines Inc., Highline Electric Association, Longmont Power & Communications, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association Inc., San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative Inc., San Miguel Power Association Inc., Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Inc., Southeast Colorado Power Association and United Power Inc.

GEO's 11 Solar Domestic Hot Water Partners: City of Boulder, Colorado Springs Utilities, Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, Groundwork Denver, Morgan County, San Luis Valley Resource Conservation and Development, the New Community Coalition, Town of Breckenridge, Town of Center, Town of Mt. Crested Butte and United Power Inc.

The 11 Solar Electric program partners expect to install approximately 125 systems with individual homeowner rebates ranging from $3,000 to $6,000, depending upon program partner incentive structure. Each partner is expected to have eight to 12 systems installed. The 11 Solar Domestic Hot Water program partners expect to install approximately 250 systems, with individual homeowner rebates ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. This represents 16 to 24 systems per partner.

"With this year’s homegrown energy, or net-metering, law and the residential solar incentives, we are making renewable energy affordable for homeowners and families so they can create clean power, invest in our rural economy, and spur job development," Gov. Ritter said.