Rocky Mountain Power's residential customers have a new option to use power from the sun. Residential customers can now reserve solar blocks from the Subscriber Solar program and they will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Construction has begun on a 20-megawatt solar plant near Holden, Utah. Subscriber Solar allows commercial and residential customers to purchase solar power if they rent their property, cannot afford to install solar or have roofs that are not suitable for solar panels.
Participants will be able to subscribe in 200-kilowatt-hour blocks up to their total average monthly usage. The benefits and costs of the program will vary depending on how much electricity a customer uses and how many blocks they support. The blocks will be divided so commercial and residential customers will be able to subscribe but the blocks will be available on a first come, first served basis.
"Our customers have told us they want more options to use renewable energy and to reduce their carbon footprint." said Keven Hoopiiaina, Subscriber Solar Program Manager. "The Subscriber Solar program is a new, affordable option to use solar power and we will show customers how much they could save or if it might cost slightly more to participate."
High-energy users in the summer may actually pay less for their energy because electricity costs can be higher during that season. Customers can subscribe for up to 20 years so the locked-in' generation rate could also save customers money if electricity prices go up in the future. The solar plant for the program will be built this year and be on-line for customers on January 1, 2017.
Several thousand blocks have been reserved for our residential customers. Commercial and industrial customers began reserving Subscriber Solar blocks on May 9. Those blocks are nearly sold out thanks to more than 40 early adopters including: Salt Lake City Corporation, Park City Municipal, Summit County, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deer Valley Resort, Amsco Windows, Este Pizzeria, Over the Counter Café, Weber State University, Kiito's Brewery, Anodizing & Metal Coatings and Mountain Yoga.
Residential customers can sign up for the program using an online calculator and commercial customers can request an analysis to see how the program would impact their bills by calling 1-844-813-3971 or at utsubscribersolar.net.
