Expanding Utah’s Solar Market: Utah Clean Energy leads efforts to grow utility solar rebate program
For the past several years, Utah Clean Energy has been working diligently to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for Utahns by spearheading an initiative to continue and expand Rocky Mountain Power’s Pilot Solar Rebate Program.
Through extensive analysis, it has been shown that an expanded solar program can be a cost-effective resource for the utility and ratepayers that provides a net benefit-to-cost ratio of nearly 1.6 to 1 (in other words, for every $1 invested in the program, rate-payers can receive $1.60 in net benefits)! An expanded solar rebate program is a smart way to leverage private investments in clean, renewable solar power for the benefit of Utah communities, our environment, and our economy.
Originally set to expire at the end of 2011, State utility regulators at the Public Service Commission (PSC) recently ordered that the current small pilot program be temporarily continued in 2012 to allow additional time for a new Solar Workgroup to design and develop an expanded cost-effective solar incentive program. The temporary program continuation (albeit still small at 214 kW) maintains the current $1.55/watt rebate program and provides a stop-gap program while a more robust and long-term program is developed. Utah Clean Energy will be actively involved in the Solar Workgroup in 2012 advocating for a long-term, extensive program that will help make solar a viable option for more Utahns.
We will also continue to engage the nearly 100 stakeholders, businesses, and local governments that have expressed strong support for an expanded solar program. If you are interested in getting involved in this effort, please contact Sara Baldwin, Senior Policy & Regulatory Associate (sbaldwin@utahcleanenergy.org). Please stay tuned in 2012 as our important work continues!
Utility Rebate Historical Timeline:
2004-2007: Utah Clean Energy and Salt Lake City coordinate with regulators and Rocky Mountain Power to design and introduce a pilot solar incentive program in Utah.
2007: PSC approves a 5-year pilot solar rebate program for Rocky Mountain Power (rebate of $2/watt, for 107 kW per year). While a good first step, the tiny program only supported about 30 solar systems per year statewide.
2007-2009: Program implemented; annual program analysis and review by involved stakeholders.
2010: Comments in response to the Program’s three-year review demonstrates broad support for an expanded program; program analysis shows that small changes to the program can yield a cost-effective program that passes Utility Cost Tests.
March 2011: The Public Service Commission requested public comments on whether or not to continue and expand Rocky Mountain Power's Pilot Solar Rebate Program.
May – June 2011: Utah Clean Energy worked to educate Utahns about the fate of Rocky Mountain Power's solar rebate program. Over 75 groups and individuals voiced their support for the continuation and expansion of Rocky Mountain Power's Solar Incentive Program - an unprecedented amount of feedback (they usually hear from 5-10 stakeholders on average)!
- Utah Clean Energy’s comments
- Vote Solar comments
- Comments from Enfinity America Corp, Data Center Pulse, Big-D, Enerbank, et al.
- Walmart Comments
- Comments from Park City, Alta, Moab, Alta Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort, et al.
- Salt Lake County Council Resolution
- Comments from Utah Office of Energy Development
July 2011: PSC opens an investigative docket and orders the formation of a Solar Workgroup to explore continuation and expansion of pilot program.
October – November 2011: The Division of Public Utilities leads the Solar Workgroup to investigate extending and expanding Rocky Mountain Power’s Solar Rebate Program. Division report calls for an additional effort be launched to establish an incentive program that could continue through at least 2016 "based on the cost effectiveness of the current program."
November 2011: Solar Workgroup participants submit comments in response to the Division of Public Utilities Report; participants support additional time for the Solar Workgroup to design an extended and expanded program.
December 2011: PSC issues an order to continue additional year of pilot program ($1.55/watt for 214 kW of solar PV) to prevent pilot program from expiring and allow more time for Solar Workgroup efforts to continue. The Solar Workgroup will continue investigating extending and expanding the Program, as proposed by the Division. All interested parties are welcome to get involved – to get involved, contact Sara Baldwin, Senior Policy & Regulatory Associate (sbaldwin@utahcleanenergy.org).
January – March 2012: Solar Workgroup efforts will continue…stay tuned! The stated goal of the workgroup is to complete its work and make a recommendation to the Commission by March 31, 2012.
** GET INVOLVED IN THE SOLAR WORKGROUP **
When: January 25, 2012 at 9 am (MT), the Solar Workgroup will host an initial scheduling meeting. Anyone interested is welcome to attend
Where: Fourth Floor Room 401, Heber M. Wells State Office building, 160 East
300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah
Call-in: See information on how to participate by phone
For more detailed information on the Solar Incentive Efforts, please visit the docket pages on the PSC website:
