Many electric co-op members are interested installing solar panels on their homes, but often they get lost trying to figure out whom to contact or which agency might be able to answer their questions. Many co-ops members have said that it isn’t the process that is most difficult, but rather finding out whom to contact first.
With that in mind, one electric co-op, Grand Valley Power in Grand Junction, recently reviewed some of the basic questions in a recent newsletter. All of the electric co-ops that are members of the Colorado Rural Electric Association send regular newsletters to their members offering assistance and answering these types of questions.
With that in mind, one electric co-op, Grand Valley Power in Grand Junction, recently reviewed some of the basic questions in a recent newsletter. All of the electric co-ops that are members of the Colorado Rural Electric Association send regular newsletters to their members offering assistance and answering these types of questions.
There are many different options when it comes to renewable energy and many levels of interest from co-op members. Grand Valley Power has found that most members begin with the most basic and simple option: purchasing wind energy blocks from the local electric co-op. This option gives members the simplest and cheapest way to support renewable energy and its development.
At GVP, members may purchase wind energy in increments of 100 kilowatt-hour blocks and pay an additional $2.50 per month per block on their bills. This allows members to support renewable energy at levels that are comfortable to each member individually.
The second option for supporting renewable energy is to build a grid-tied renewable system on a home property. A grid-tied renewable system can be a system that generates electricity and supplies excess electricity back to the grid from sources such as hydropower, wind or the source that is best suited for the Western Slope, solar. The member is responsible for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of the system. Grand Valley Power assists members by answering questions, helping provide information and directing members to local installers.
Once a member has the system designed and is ready to move forward with the project, he must contact GVP and fill out an interconnection application. This application does not require any money but is used by GVP to gather information regarding the intent of the project and to verify proper sizing of GVP equipment. Once this form is completed and approved by GVP, the installation begins. During the installation of the equipment, members are required to provide a copy of their homeowner’s insurance policy and complete the interconnection agreement. After final inspection and receiving these forms, the system is turned on and the generation of electricity begins. Grand Valley Power currently has 28 members who have grid-tied solar systems.
A third option currently being studied by Grand Valley Power is a solar farm. This option would eliminate some of the responsibilities of the homeowner and allow the member to participate at an intermediate level.