Xcel Energy has determined the Average Hourly Incremental Cost of Electricity for 2008 is 4.842ยข per kilowatt hour. This factor will be applied to excess energy generated by photovoltaic electric systems installed in the Solar*Rewards program. This factor is also sometimes called the “avoided cost” rate. The retail cost for electric energy is about 9.7 cents per kwh (summer) and 9.4 cents per kwh (winter). see www.sunnysidesolarcolorado.com and click on “electric energy rates”.
Tags: electric rates, Energy, solar
REC reduction
Other news from the COSEIA meeting with Xcel is the likelihood of another reduction in the rebate/REC offered by Xcel. Last November the total rebate decreased from $4.50 to $3.50 per watt. Xcel hinted another decrease is very likely in the near future. This will create a huge impact on new customers and installers.
Xcel offers Rollover Credit for Excess Energy
The good news from Xcel’s meeting with COSEIA last week is the announcement of a rollover option for Solar electric customers. Customers can sign up for this plan in September, and roll over any excess energy generated by the end of the year (December 31) into 2010. This means instead of selling the excess to Xcel a the end of the year for about 4.8 cents/kwh, customers can use this excess energy in January and February when solar generation does not meet usage. Using energy at 9.7 cents per kwh instead of selling at 4.8 cents per kwh makes financial sense to customers keen on system payback.
XCEL proposes Net Metering Charge
Along with a new rate increase that Xcel is proposing to the PUC, Xcel is requesting that Net Metering Customers pay an extra facilities charge. The details are not available yet, but they estimate it will cost each NetMetered customer $22 per yearfor a 4.5 Kw solar electric system.The charge will be granfathered to all existing customers with an interconnect agreement with Xcel!
Of course, COSEIA members and residential customers are amazed by the lack of judgement by Xcel management. This will create an uproar!
Xcel now offers the option of rolling over any excess energy at the end of the year into 2010. All PV owners will receive a letter explaining the option and providing the opportunity to sign up for the rollover option.