Colorado Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency |
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Last DSIRE Review: 01/03/2013
Program Overview:
| State: |
Colorado |
| Incentive Type: |
Utility Rebate Program |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Photovoltaics |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Residential |
| Amount: | $1.50 per watt |
| Eligible System Size: | Residential: 10 kW maximum; Commercial: 25 kW maximum |
| Equipment Requirements: | The PV system and inverter must carry a minimum 5-year warranty.
Modules must carry a 20 year warranty against performance degradation below 80 percent of original output |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: | Colorado Springs Utilities |
| Program Budget: | $613,710, divided equally between commercial and residential |
| Start Date: | 1/1/2006 |
| Web Site: |
http://www.csu.org/residential/rebates/Pages/renewableenergy.aspx
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Summary:
Through its Renewable Energy Rebate Program, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) offers a rebate to customers who install grid-connected solar-electric (PV) systems with a minimum capacity of 500 watts and a maximum of 10 kW for residential systems and 25 kW for commercial systems. The rebate for program year 2013 is $1.50 per-watt. To calculate the system’s AC output, a de-rating factor is used to account for shading and suboptimal orientation or tilt. All Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated from systems installed under this program are conferred to CSU for compliance with Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard*.
The utility plans to continue offering the rebate in future years pending approval by the Utilities Board, but the incentive amount is likely to decrease in future years. The application, interconnection agreement, and other documents are available at the program website above. Click here for the CSU net metering policy (see page 49).
Qualifying PV modules and inverters must be included in the California Energy Commission's (CEC) lists of eligible equipment. Qualifying systems must also carry minimum manufacturer and/or installer warranties as outlined in the program guidelines.
Colorado Springs Utilities recommends (but does not require) that all systems be designed and installed by professional installers certified by the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA) or the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners NABCEP. CSU also recommends taking advantage of the utility’s energy efficiency programs -- including rebates -- before installing a PV system.
* Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard requires Colorado utilities with 40,000 or more customers to generate or purchase a percentage of their electricity from renewable resources to reach a level of 10% renewables by 2015. Of the electricity generated each year from renewable resources, at least 4% must come from solar electric technologies. At least one-half of this percentage must come from solar systems located on-site at customers' facilities. Under the initiative, utilities are required to offer customers a PV rebate and establish a net-metering program. Thus, CSU documents the RECs generated by its customers’ PV systems to demonstrate compliance with the solar requirement of the Renewable Energy Standard.
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Contact:
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Deborah Mathis
Colorado Springs Utilities
P.O. Box 1103
Colorado Springs, CO 80947
Phone: (719) 668-8509
Fax: (719) 668-2510
E-Mail: dmathis@csu.org
Web Site: http://www.csu.org
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Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.
While the DSIRE staff strives to provide the best information possible, the DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. make no representations or warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information. The DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. disclaim all liability of any kind arising out of your use or misuse of the information contained or referenced on DSIRE Web pages.
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