Homegrown Power Shines on Governor

Environment Colorado

Denver, CO – The Homegrown Renewable Power Act , House Bill 1160, sponsored by Senator Brandon Schaffer and Representative Judy Solano, is headed to the Governor’s desk today after being passed by the state Senate on third reading by a vote of 30 to 3. 
 
The Homegrown Renewable Energy Act would allow Colorado homeowners and businesses to be paid a fair rate for excess electricity produced by their own solar, wind, or geothermal energy systems, as well as other renewable forms of energy.

“This rewards Coloradans who are taking a step in the right direction to make our state a cleaner, healthier place to live by ensuring that solar energy is more affordable and accessible” said Senator Brandon Shaffer.  

Often times, renewable energy systems for homes and businesses produce more electricity than a single home or business may need.  That excess electricity goes into the grid and can provide clean energy to additional customers. 
 
“We believe it is time for Colorado to ‘Go Solar’,” said Representative Solano.  “By making solar technologies more affordable and accessible to every Coloradan, we can increase our energy independence and take the next major step towards a new energy economy.”  
 
The Homegrown Renewable Energy Act would ensure that this energy is not only used, but that Colorado homeowners benefit from their use of new and clean energy.
 
“The solar industry is bringing new employment opportunities and new technologies to Colorado every day,” said Beth Hart, President of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA).  “We are looking forward to continuing to expand solar energy for homeowners to plug into this important renewable opportunity.” 
 
Unfortunately, unless a customer is served by Colorado’s largest electric utilities or a handful electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, there is no compensation for the extra electricity they produce.  This measure will help to ensure a fair rate for all Coloradans and help spur investment into solar power and other forms of clean energy. 
 
“Many of our electric utilities are working to ensure solar energy becomes a part of our energy resources by providing rebates and full net metering, however there are some areas in Colorado where customers like myself are left out of the loop and don’t receive the help needed to make a solar installation practical,” stated Monty Villere, a homeowner from Monument, Colorado with a home solar system.  “Availability of full net metering in all areas of Colorado would go a long way toward greatly expanding the use of solar power.”
 
For the utility, a program of this nature provides an incentive to the more forward-looking Coloradan and it is an inexpensive way for the utility to meet its peak demand. Instead of paying the higher costs of another unit of energy, the utility can fulfill its customers’ needs through the purchase of distributive renewable energy.  Furthermore, the consumer pays the upfront and full cost of the renewable energy system.
 
Conservationists hail the bill as an important step toward helping individuals be part of the solution to fight global warming pollution while increasing our energy independence.  
 
Pam Kiely, Legislative Director for Environment Colorado, stated “In the next decade, we could have a half a million solar roofs helping to power Colorado – an important first step towards stronger clean energy solutions and fighting global warming.”   

Solar Industry, Conservationists, and Legislators Work to Bring Affordable and Accessible Solar Power Home

Denver, CO – The Homegrown Renewable Power Act , House Bill 1160, sponsored by Senator Brandon Schaffer and Representative Judy Solano, is headed to the Governor’s desk today after being passed by the state Senate on third reading by a vote of 30 to 3. 
 
The Homegrown Renewable Energy Act would allow Colorado homeowners and businesses to be paid a fair rate for excess electricity produced by their own solar, wind, or geothermal energy systems, as well as other renewable forms of energy.

“This rewards Coloradans who are taking a step in the right direction to make our state a cleaner, healthier place to live by ensuring that solar energy is more affordable and accessible” said Senator Brandon Shaffer.  

Often times, renewable energy systems for homes and businesses produce more electricity than a single home or business may need.  That excess electricity goes into the grid and can provide clean energy to additional customers. 
 
“We believe it is time for Colorado to ‘Go Solar’,” said Representative Solano.  “By making solar technologies more affordable and accessible to every Coloradan, we can increase our energy independence and take the next major step towards a new energy economy.”  
 
The Homegrown Renewable Energy Act would ensure that this energy is not only used, but that Colorado homeowners benefit from their use of new and clean energy.
 
“The solar industry is bringing new employment opportunities and new technologies to Colorado every day,” said Beth Hart, President of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA).  “We are looking forward to continuing to expand solar energy for homeowners to plug into this important renewable opportunity.” 
 
Unfortunately, unless a customer is served by Colorado’s largest electric utilities or a handful electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, there is no compensation for the extra electricity they produce.  This measure will help to ensure a fair rate for all Coloradans and help spur investment into solar power and other forms of clean energy. 
 
“Many of our electric utilities are working to ensure solar energy becomes a part of our energy resources by providing rebates and full net metering, however there are some areas in Colorado where customers like myself are left out of the loop and don’t receive the help needed to make a solar installation practical,” stated Monty Villere, a homeowner from Monument, Colorado with a home solar system.  “Availability of full net metering in all areas of Colorado would go a long way toward greatly expanding the use of solar power.”
 
For the utility, a program of this nature provides an incentive to the more forward-looking Coloradan and it is an inexpensive way for the utility to meet its peak demand. Instead of paying the higher costs of another unit of energy, the utility can fulfill its customers’ needs through the purchase of distributive renewable energy.  Furthermore, the consumer pays the upfront and full cost of the renewable energy system.
 
Conservationists hail the bill as an important step toward helping individuals be part of the solution to fight global warming pollution while increasing our energy independence.  
 
Pam Kiely, Legislative Director for Environment Colorado, stated “In the next decade, we could have a half a million solar roofs helping to power Colorado – an important first step towards stronger clean energy solutions and fighting global warming.”