A Bright Idea

Since May 2018, United’s residential members have been reaping the benefits of United’s Community Solar Program. Due to increased member interest in renewable energy over the past couple of years, United was able to attain and provide an attractive and easy way to take advantage of the sun’s energy. 
    

This new and innovative energy option provides United members the opportunity to subscribe to solar energy at a cost-competitive price without the expense of installing a system at their home or keeping up with the required upkeep.

Taking advantage of economies of scale, United last year was able to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a 9.9 megawatt (AC) solar facility in Bosque County and lock in an attractive rate for 20 years.

Under the PPA, United committed to purchase all of the energy the solar facility would generate with a guaranteed price that not only would be competitive in the current energy market, but also would be fixed for the next 20 years. Additionally, since the facility is located within United’s service territory and interconnected to United’s distribution system, the PPA provided the instrument necessary for United to purchase the facility’s energy production without any financial commitment made toward ownership, construction or operating of the facility. Instead, the facility is owned and operated by a recognized investor in the renewable energy sector.
    
This solar facility consists of 44,340 solar panels tracking the sun for optimal energy generation in 553 rows, and covers approximately 58 acres.

Recently, United experienced a record number of new member-installed solar system interconnections with United in 2017 (57 installations) and again in 2018 (66 installations). However, United’s energy experts cite the primary reasons most members often postpone or outright balk at completing their own solar generation installation plans are that upfront costs are too high, the systems’ complexities and installation processes are often overwhelming and ongoing system operation and maintenance are a continuous concern.

Many members aren’t able to install solar due to shading from trees or other reasons. United Community Solar requires no equipment to be installed on the members’ properties, making it an attractive alternative for those who have thought about solar, but didn’t find the thought of panels installed on their rooftops or yards aesthetically pleasing.  

“United Community Solar has opened the door for many of our members to take advantage of solar power, which wouldn’t have been feasible on their own,” said Kanyon Payne, United’s energy conservation coordinator. “Members who have subscribed are realizing savings the first month of enrollment. When members install solar themselves, it could likely take 15-20 years to recoup their investments.  A typical home solar project can cost members in excess of $20,000, and the investment is often financed, which increases the time to receive a return on their investment.”

Members have filled more than a third of the available 4,950 United Community Solar subscriptions since the project came on line in May 2018. When members subscribe to United’s Community Solar Program, they are subscribing to a 2 kW portion of the 9.9 MW solar facility, which equates to approximately .02 percent of the facility’s total output.  Every month, subscribers will receive up to .02 percent of the generation output of the facility, though the monthly allocation will vary month-to-month depending on the generation of the solar  facility (winter months often mean more overcast skies and less generation).
 
The participating member is billed each month for the solar allocation (.02 percent of the 9.9 MW total monthly generation) by multiplying the member’s monthly solar allocation by the Solar Rate and the Solar PCRF. The remaining kWh consumption will be billed at the normal Brazos Electric Cooperative (BEC) rate and the BEC PCRF.  The distribution rate will be applied to the total monthly kWh consumption.

“Members who subscribed to United Community Solar in May 2018 saved $26.92 over the first eight months,” said Blake Beavers, vice president of power supply at United. “The members are seeing an average of $3.37 in savings every month. Similar to a home installation, the production and savings will vary depending on weather and the season, but another big advantage with the United Community Solar facility is that it utilizes a more optimal solar tracking system.”