Colorado Springs City Council approved an innovative program where customers can invest in a community solar garden and receive a credit on their electric bill for their share of the energy the garden produces. The arrangement between the municipal utility and the private sector is one of the first of its kind in the nation.

 

The program enables renters, low-income utility customers and those that live in areas that are not conducive to installing solar on their own property to receive the benefits of renewable energy.

 

Subscribing customers will receive credit of nine cents per kilowatt hour on their electric bill for their share of the power generated at the community solar garden. In 2012, Colorado Springs Utilities will provide subscribers a one-time, $1.80 per watt incentive up to thirty percent of their solar garden investment. Incentives are paid on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability of funding.

 

News coverage includes names of solar developers and how the community is working together to bring more renewable energy to Colorado Springs.