Update

Current Events » in reply to Xcel Energy's threat to residential photovoltaic systems.

Update

jms — 12/19/2004 4:02:57 AM (archived)

Just got off the phone with my PV electrician, and I should have called him earlier. He is much more optimistic than others I have spoken with.

He feels that the passage of Amendment 37 changes the board so much that all of the pre-37 docket items are pretty much moot. Aparently this has been around before the voters of Colorado had their say.

He is part of a small group of PV advocates that are working to draft regulations to propose to the Utilities Commission to impliment A-37. Xcel has been in communication and is cooperating with them in this effort. It'll take months to figure it all out, 'cause it's all new.

If you break it down, according to him, Xcel is going to have to have something like 3mW of residential solar power in the next few years. There is about 400 kW availiable now, max. If they don't meet this target, they get fined. Interested in installing PV systems? I know a guy whose going to be very busy soon.

Plus, they may have to buy (lease) our "PV credits" to make their target. So we might earn an earlier return on our investment.

Bottom line: I've calmed down, and just in time. For some reason the approach of the winter solstice makes me, well, a little excitable. I look forward to more daylight - and more electricity!

I'll keep y'all informed, and thanks again for the support.

a slightly relaxed jms

The whole thread (52 posts)

Xcel Energy's threat to residential photovoltaic systems. - a rather upset ~jms~ - 12/17/2004 5:04:42 AM
- Update - jms - 12/19/2004 4:02:57 AM
  - Damn...I was hoping you were gonna organize a ski in...Er...I mean sit in...That we could participate in. (n/t) - Scott Evil - 12/20/2004 2:40:06 PM
  - It's good to relax. - Mary Anne - 12/19/2004 9:51:55 PM
  - Thanks! Keep us posted on further developments. - Tom Brosz - 12/19/2004 4:11:17 AM
- That is a bad deal and a blatant attempt to end run the law - ebnelson - 12/17/2004 7:23:24 PM
- Man, you got us fired up! (n/t) - alcaray - 12/17/2004 6:52:22 PM
  - Yeah, cool to see everyone pulling in the same direction for a change! (n/t) - LJ - 12/17/2004 7:07:13 PM
    - Can't we all just get along? - Tony - 12/17/2004 8:01:49 PM
- BTW... - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:40:08 PM
  - net-metering changes are a small part of that docket - jms - 12/17/2004 6:19:10 PM
- A good letter to the commissioners, but not for the public. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:02:08 PM
  - And do your local TV news shows have consumer reports, - alcaray - 12/17/2004 5:57:38 PM
    - Yes! Radio too. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 6:25:14 PM
      - I once had a problem with a utility - alcaray - 12/17/2004 6:50:39 PM
  - Excellent suggestions - jms - 12/17/2004 5:48:04 PM
  - Contact some university activists too. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:28:15 PM
    - Activists - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:42:38 PM
      - Activists - jms - 12/17/2004 6:27:01 PM
        
        If there were more like you, and less gas-fired power stations - Tony - 12/17/2004 7:59:52 PM
- Good luck - LJ - 12/17/2004 4:57:47 PM
  - Luck will have very little to do with it. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:12:10 PM
    - re: Luck will have very little to do with it. - LJ - 12/17/2004 6:19:28 PM
      - Sorry. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 6:31:47 PM
- Under other circumstances, it would be almost "bait and switch." - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 4:53:46 PM
  - The problem with that is that it will still enable the power company to discourage others from producing their own power. - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 7:02:06 PM
  - Compromise, shmompromise - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:33:36 PM
    - "I say go for the win." - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:44:03 PM
      - LOL! I'm not even going to fight with you. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:46:52 PM
- Go get 'em! - Fox - 12/17/2004 4:34:09 PM
  - newspapers - jms - 12/17/2004 5:52:10 PM
    - I think they're busy distributing New Testaments this weekend, anyway... (n/t) - Fox - 12/19/2004 12:52:33 AM
      - can't compete with that, it's a bestseller! - jms - 12/19/2004 1:17:52 AM
        
        re: waiting 'til after the holidays - Fox - 12/19/2004 2:56:53 PM
- re: It sounds like they are trying to get around the rules concerning net metering... - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 4:23:34 PM
  - what happens if we make more than we use - jms - 12/17/2004 5:59:38 PM
    - Thanks. That's really interesting. - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 6:50:55 PM
      - P.S. There is another alternative comprimise - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 7:19:53 PM
  - Not "get around": "change". By regulation, because public opinion, once aroused, would never support it. grrr (n/t) - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:15:37 PM
- my solution. - Jack Herer - 12/17/2004 3:22:40 PM
  - batteries - jms - 12/17/2004 6:06:14 PM
    - Leaving the grid - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 8:36:42 PM
      - multiple systems - jms - 12/17/2004 9:36:51 PM
        
        Have you experienced any noticable decline in your PV energy output as the system ages? - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 10:26:03 PM
        
        not really - jms - 12/17/2004 11:04:29 PM
        
        Thanks for the interesting info. Its good to hear that they are holding up well. - Scott Evil - 12/20/2004 2:34:56 PM
        
        Current warrenty is 25 years. (n/t) - sean - 12/18/2004 1:41:10 PM
        
        re: multiple systems - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 10:17:15 PM
        
        pulse furnace - jms - 12/17/2004 10:53:46 PM
  - It's a political problem, Jack. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 4:00:48 PM
    - re: It's a political problem, Jack. - p - 12/17/2004 4:20:59 PM
      - How am I supposed to argue with you - Tony - 12/17/2004 5:00:21 PM

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