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Xcel recently announced it would increase the Renewable Energy Standard Adjustement (RESA) component of the electric bill to fund the renewable energy program. Xcel also filed a rate case increase for GRSA – the general rate schedule adjustment component of your electric bill. GRSA is the component of Xcel’s revenue that applies to Service and Facility – money used for capital and O&M costs. The increase is substantial – from 12.7% to 32.5%. They call this a 19.8% increase! Would someone enlighten me on that calculation?
For the average customer with monthly usage of 625 kWh, they project the increase will be $5.13 per month or 8.39%.
On the bright side, this increase adds value to those of us with solar electric systems, and provides more incentive for residential and commercial customers to install solar electric systems.

A few weeks ago Xcel decreased the renewable energy rebate from $4.50 per watt to $3.50 per watt. That adjustment was based on the increase of the ITC (federal investment tax credit).
Yesterday, Xcel announced it will increase RESA – the electric bill component used to fund their renewable energy program. They did not provide a specific reason for this increase. Xcel did estimate the increase will amount to about 33 cents on the average residential bill.
Presently RESA is six tenths of one percent (0.6 %) of the total electric bill before taxes. A $100 electric utility bill includes about 60 cents for RESA.
I would like to hear more about Xcel’s plan for the increased revenue!

Following approval of the PV system and installation, the customer signs the “Solar*Rewards contract” with Xcel Energy. The terms and conditions of the contract allow Xcel Energy to purchase from the customer all Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by the PV system for a term of 20 years.
The price for the RECs includes two components – the “standard rebate” based on installation, and a payment based on Xcel Energy’s receipt of all RECs generated by the PV system.
The total price for the RECs is $2.00 per watt for the installation, and $1.50 per watt for the RECs.
The customer is responsible to maintain the PV system for the term of the contract. If the customer breaches the contract during the 20 year term, the customer is liable for liquidated damages limited to the prorated amount of the rebate.

Xcel Energy responded to the Federal ITC renewable energy credit change with a change to their rebate and Renewable Energy Credit (REC). Effective October 24 Xcel reduced the REC from $2.50 to $1.50 per watt. The total rebate and REC is now $3.50.
If your application was completed before October 24, you will still receive the $4.50 rebate.