Descripción

A municipal utility large enough to fall under Amendment 37 rules, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) launched their net-metering program in 2004 for residential systems up to 10 kW. Business customers up to 25 kW are now also eligible. Though not a “true” net metering program – customers are required to have two separate meters – producers are credited at retail rates, and the second meter is only used to measure the RECs produced (which belong to CSU and count towards their annual RPS goals). Customers must provide a meter socket, and CSU provides the second meter. CSU does not charge stand-by fees or require additional insurance.

Any net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer’s next monthly bill. Any balance left at the end of the year is credited to the utility. Interconnection agreement exists. Net-metered systems must be “operational” for five years with no gap for more than three months to qualify. Installations must have five-year warranty unless systems are self-installed.

CSU has three operational net-metered systems as of 2/06 (two customers, one school). More systems are expected to come on-line soon due to CSU’s $4/W solar rebate program. CSU set a goal of 60 kW of net-metered generation.