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SALT LAKE CITY —The state's largest electric provider is launching a new alternative energy program.
Rocky Mountain Power announced on Tuesday an agreement with German energy developer juwi to build the utility's first Subscriber Solar program resource. The 20 megawatt solar farm will be located in the Millard County town of Holden.
The alternative energy program was approved by the Utah Public Service Commission in October 2015. Customers will be able to subscribe to receive some or all of their electricity from solar power, said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Paul Murphy.
"This is an exciting new option for customers to buy solar power for their homes or businesses," said Paul Clements, director of Rocky Mountain Power's Commercial Services.
Under the Solar Subscriber program, participants will be able to enroll — in 200-kilowatt hour blocks — for up to their total usage, a news release states. The 20-megawatt solar farm will provide 20,000 blocks, and residential customers will receive a "locked-in" generation rate of 7.7 cents per kilowatt hour, plus about 4 cents for transmission and distribution, totaling 11.7 cents per kilowatt hour, Murphy said.
For instance, high-energy users in the summer might actually pay less money for their energy consumed because electricity costs could be as high as 14.5 cents per kilowatt hour, he noted.
"The 'locked-in' rate could also save customers money if electricity prices go up in the future," Clements said.
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The largest electric utility is launching a new sustainable energy program aimed at meeting the growing demand for alternative sources of power.The Subscriber Solar program is a viable alternative for people who are renting, cannot afford solar panels, have homes that are not suited for rooftop solar, are restricted due to homeowner association rules or simply don't want rooftop solar systems, Murphy added. Subscribers will not have to pay upfront costs or deal with the ongoing maintenance of installed solar panels.
The voluntary program will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The project is scheduled for completion this year, and the program will start on Jan. 1, 2017. Subscribers will have to pay a termination fee if they cancel their subscription before three years after they enroll, Murphy said.
