Brighton, Colo.—United Power’s Sol Partners™ Solar Farm has expanded with the installation of 48 new solar panels officially energized on Aug. 20. The Sol Partners™ Solar Farm concept, which launched in May 2009, allows cooperative members to lease solar panels located at United Power’s Brighton headquarters office and receive a monthly credit on their electric bills for the energy generated by their panels.
During the first year, the original 48 panels—rated at 210 watts each—produced 17,504 kWh of electricity. Energy credits totaled $40.12 per panel last year, which equals a 3.8 percent return to program participants—a slightly higher rate of return than the projected estimate of 3 percent. The second module includes 48 new panels rated at 224 watts each. The total annual production from all 96 panels on the solar farm is estimated to be 35,000 kWh, or 365 kWh per panel.
Sol Partners™ is an ideal program for customers whose homes are not properly oriented for solar, or for those who rent. The program has also been popular with businesses that cannot install on-site but want to participate in renewable energy options. A grant from the Governor’s Energy Office provided the seed money to get the farm off the ground and a pay-as-you-grow model means future growth of the program is funded by member participation. Adding modules to the solar farm in installments allows the cooperative to utilize the newest, most efficient technology. In just one year, the panels on the solar farm have increased from 210 watts to 224 watts.
Since Sol Partners™ launched, the concept has gained national attention and recognition for providing a unique way for electric consumers to participate in solar energy production. The program has received coverage from notable utility trade organizations and print media, including the Wall Street Journal. Several electric cooperatives across the country are now adopting similar programs for their members and the Colorado Legislature has been paying close attention. A ‘solar gardens’ bill—closely modeled after the Sol Partners™ program—was signed into law last session. The new law allows groups of individuals to collectively own solar arrays similar to the Sol Partners™ concept currently available to United Power members.
United Power members who were not able to get in on the first module have another opportunity to begin harvesting energy from the sun. For a one-time fee of $1,050, members can lease a panel for 25 years. Participating in Sol Partners™ is similar to having the panel installed on site, but eliminates the hassles of permitting, construction and maintenance. Members can learn more about Sol Partners™, download an application, and monitor the production of the solar farm in real time by visiting www.unitedpower.com.
United Power, your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, provides electricity to more than 67,000 homes and businesses on Colorado’s northern front range.
Prairie Gateway re-branded to Victory Crossing {Commerce City}
Commerce City "We need to be sure that we are not left behind in ED..."
Will we ever see Development @ the Prairie Gateway site in Commerce City, CO??? It has been years since the Commerce City Civic Center and Rapids stadium have been built and still no economic development. I guess patience is really a virtue.
