Thursday, August 29, 2013

SunShare wins contract to build five solar gardens in Denver area

Colorado Springs-based SunShare LLC has signed a contract with Minneapolis-based utility giant Xcel Energy Inc. to build five solar gardens in the Denver area later this year, marking the company's first expansion outside of El Paso County.

The company also was named a finalist Monday to build five solar gardens in Sacramento, Calif., pending completion of a "due diligence" and negotiation process with the city's Municipal Utility District by late next month, said David Amster-Olszewski, SunShare's founder and president.

SunShare also plans to bid on a series of solar garden projects during the next three months in Colorado Springs, elsewhere in Colorado and in California that would produce 20 megawatts of power, or enough to serve about 4,000 homes.

Read more:

http://gazette.com/sunshare-wins-contract-to-build-five-solar-gardens-in-denver-area/article/1504539

Low-Income Families to Receive Solar Power Through New Program

Carbondale, Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective recently announced the launch of a new program that will give low-income residents in Denver, Colorado access to locally produced clean energy. Following a new partnership agreement between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA), the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program will see CEC devoting a part of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy’s Denver County customers offset the electrical bills for around 35 families living in the DHA facilities.
“We’re very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint,” said Tom Sweeney, CEC’s chief operating officer.

read more:

http://www.cpexecutive.com/cities/denver/low-income-families-to-receive-solar-power-through-new-program/
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf
Denver, Colo. (August 8, 2013) Low-income residents in Denver, Colo. will soon receive clean, locally-produced energy thanks to a new partnership between solar garden developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) and the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Under the new Community Solar Low-Income Residential Program, CEC will devote a portion of the power produced by three community solar facilities serving Xcel Energy's Denver County customers, offsetting the electric bills for approximately 35 families living in DHA facilities.

Five percent of the power produced by each of the three community solar arrays CEC has in the queue for development in Denver County is earmarked for the DHA program, equating to 70kW, or about 100 panels from each array. According to CEC, this will generate more than $7,700 in bill credits for DHA housing residents in the first year and nearly $230,000 over the 20-year program.

Historically, renewable energy has been out of reach for the majority of people because of significant obstacles, including a large upfront cost, shaded or unaccommodating roofs, or they rent their properties. Clean Energy Collective's community solar model removes those barriers by delivering clean power through medium-scale, locally-sited solar facilities collectively owned by participating utility customers, and providing credit for the power produced directly on panel owners' utility bills.

"We're very proud of this new partnership with DHA and the opportunity to provide clean, locally-made energy to several Denver families, many of whom may be facing greater challenges than reducing their carbon footprint," said Tom Sweeney, CEC's chief operating officer.

Housing Authority owns and/or manages affordable housing units in the City and County of Denver, serving the residents of Denver.

"This is a great partnership with CEC, it demonstrates a creative way to bring environmentally friendly, low cost renewable energy to serve low-income residents," said Ismael Guerrero, DHA Executive Director. "DHA benefits because we don't disrupt our buildings or daily operations and residents will receive a direct credit on their monthly bill, thus saving money every month.

" CEC is building 11 community solar arrays as part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program to serve Colorado customers in Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Summit counties, and the City of Aurora. Boulder's first array is currently online and supplying power, while Denver's Denver/Lowry Solar Array (Hanger 2) is anticipated to come online this September. About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC pioneered the model of delivering clean power-generation through large-scale facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. The CEC's proprietary RemoteMeter® system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited directly on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office. - See more at: http://www.easycleanenergy.com/Shownews.aspx?ID=8011323b-b191-4149-92ec-6135347df093#sthash.mXVH8Mj9.dpuf

‘Solar Gardens’ Put Clean Energy Within Reach Of Low-Income Families | Climate Progress

Everyone deserves access to clean energy — especially those living in disadvantaged communities. Lower-income Americans are more susceptible to the negative impacts of climate change. Many are already affected by urban pollution, extended power outages due to extreme weather events, and health hazards from living disproportionately closer to dirty coal plants. This makes clean energy access for low-income Americans not just an issue of economics, but an issue of justice, as well.

[...]

One option is to expand the use of Community Solar Garden (CSG) programs. CSGs are communally-owned solar installations that sell power to local utilities, providing credits to their investors’ residential electricity bills. CSGs can deliver cheaper energy through economies of scale and do not require rooftop installation, making them a valuable option for renters.

Read more:

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/08/28/2546291/community-solar-income/

Why the U.S. Power Grid's Days Are Numbered | Bloomberg Businessweek

"...the coming tussle between solar and conventional energy is not going to be a fair fight.”
 - Sanford C. Bernstein

There are 3,200 utilities that make up the U.S. electrical grid, the largest machine in the world. These power companies sell $400 billion worth of electricity a year, mostly derived from burning fossil fuels in centralized stations and distributed over 2.7 million miles of power lines. Regulators set rates; utilities get guaranteed returns; investors get sure-thing dividends. It’s a model that hasn’t changed much since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. And it’s doomed to obsolescence.

That’s the opinion of David Crane, chief executive officer of NRG Energy, a wholesale power company based in Princeton, N.J. What’s afoot is a confluence of green energy and computer technology, deregulation, cheap natural gas, and political pressure that, as Crane starkly frames it, poses “a mortal threat to the existing utility system.” He says that in about the time it has taken cell phones to supplant land lines in most U.S. homes, the grid will become increasingly irrelevant as customers move toward decentralized homegrown green energy. Rooftop solar, in particular, is turning tens of thousands of businesses and households into power producers. Such distributed generation, to use the industry’s term for power produced outside the grid, is certain to grow.

Read more:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-22/homegrown-green-energy-is-making-power-utilities-irrelevant

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Solar Prices Continue Falling

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the price of solar has been dropping. A new Tracking the Sun report from the Department of Energy Lawrence Berkeley National Labs (LBNL) confirms the trend: solar keeps getting cheaper.
According to the report, median installed prices fell by an average of $0.5/W (6-7%) annually between 1998 and 2012. That rate has accelerated recently, as seen in the drop of $0.3-0.9/W (6-14%) from just 2011 to 2012. Price drops like these have facilitated a more than fourfold increase in U.S solar installations between 2009 and 2012.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Putney solar project online, producing power - Brattleboro Reformer

Vermont was the first state to allow group net metering when it passed legislation in 2003 and today about 12 states allow groups to come together to invest in solar power and receive credits after the energy is delivered into the power grid.

Rep. Tony Klein, D-Montpelier, chairman of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee, said even though group net metering has been allowed in the state for 10 years, enthusiasm is only just starting to build.

Read more:

http://www.reformer.com/ci_23931981/putney-solar-project-online-producing-power

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Colorado Springs City Council finds compromise, expands solar gardens | gazette.com

It has been 10 months since the Colorado Springs City Council began discussing the expansion of the city's solar garden pilot program.

Since then, the council approved an expansion of the program by 10 megawatts, six new council members were elected, and the new council promptly scrapped the expansion program and started over.

Now, it seems there has been a compromise. The council will expand the solar garden program, but only a little and only for one year.

Read more:

http://www.gazette.com/colorado-springs-city-council-finds-compromise-expands-solar-gardens/article/1504813

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

When Will Solar Get Cheap Enough for Everyone to Use? | Mother Jones

The prices of solar cells are falling rapidly, and will keep doing so for the next few years. The big questions revolve around the rate of the price declines. And the panels themselves aren't the only place where cost reductions will be found. America has very high "soft costs"—installation, permitting, marketing etc. Whittling down these expenses will help, too.

Read more:

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/solar-energy-cheap

Joy Hughes
in community service
Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
(719)207-3097 direct

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Solar Gardens on #SolarChat!

The Solar Gardens Institute recently participated in a #SolarChat on community solar. Check out this great summary from Zachary Shahan on Solar Love:

COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS, “SELLING” SOLAR, CROWDFUNDING SOLAR, & MORE (#SOLARCHAT) 

I recently participated in one of the Twitter #SolarChat events that @EcoOutfitters organizes. It was a real blast — fun and informative. The general focus was community solar gardens, but that was of course linked to many other solar issues. Numerous useful resources about community solar gardens and solar financing were shared. Below are some of the key comments and resources I gathered from the hour-long solar chat (I actually spent about 2 hours scrolling through all the tweets and replying where I could be of special use.)

COMMUNITY SOLAR 

To start with, several people intimately involved with the community solar model shared some useful resources:


Read more: http://solarlove.org/community-solar-gardens-selling-solar-crowdfunding-solar-more-solarchat/


Friday, August 9, 2013

Policy Trumps Sunshine as a Solar Resource


The future looks bright for solar in the U.S. That’s according to a recent UC Berkeley study that claims that by 2050, solar power could supply a third of all electricity demand in the country’s western states.
Top solar states 
The Berkeley researchers are not alone in identifying the huge potential of solar energy. A report from the nonprofit advocacy group Environment America looks to what our top 12 solar states are doing as a model for what could happen in the rest of the U.S. As Rob Sargent, the group’s energy program director, points out, the success of solar in these states “should give us the confidence that we can do much more.”
What would it take to do more throughout the U.S.?